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Is your heat pump not keeping up in cold weather? This blog explains the most common reasons heat pumps struggle in low temperatures—like frost buildup, airflow issues, incorrect thermostat settings, or normal efficiency loss. Learn what’s normal, what signals a real problem, and when to call for professional heat pump repair. Stay warm and keep your system running efficiently all winter.
When cold weather gets its grip on your local area, you don’t want to be the person who doesn’t have an active and working heat pump. That could leave you in a spot where you are unable to warm your home and yourself, even as temperatures plummet. If you do find your heat pump not working, you need to know the answers so that you can get it fixed. Luckily, we have those explanations for you.
Loss of Efficiency Due to Very Cold Weather
The reality is that a heat pump naturally loses capacity when it is exposed to freezing weather. Depending on the model, you can expect a 20 – 30% loss of capacity. As such, you shouldn’t be surprised when this occurs. To ensure it operates at full capacity, it’s crucial to take action promptly if the heat pump is not working.
Frost or Ice on the Outdoor Unit
Frost or ice may form on your outdoor central heating unit and is not uncommon during certain outdoor conditions. The heat pump has controls, though, that should automatically run a defrost cycle to remove the frost. However, if you notice that you have frequent or heavy frost issues on your heat pump, then you might have one of the following issues:
- Low refrigerant levels
- Blocked airflow around the coil
- A stuck valve
These are all potential issues that could cause the frost or ice to persist around your heat pump, potentially leading to its failure. Be sure to consider these possibilities as you examine the issues with the heat pump.
Airflow Problems Within Your Home
Sometimes the problem with a less-than-perfect heat pump comes from within the house. This is to say that you should consider the fact that poor airflow in your home could lead to serious issues, preventing your heat pump from running at peak performance. You should check around your home and look for potential causes of airflow problems, such as:
- Dirty air filters
- Closed air vents
- Dirty indoor coils
Any of these issues could lead to airflow concerns throughout your home and cause you some problems. If you address these airflow issues, you may start to see the heat pump become more efficient once again.
The Wrong Size Heat Pump for Your Home
There is always the possibility that the heat pump that you have installed is simply not large enough to meet the capacity of your home. You might want to think about investing in a larger and more efficient heat pump. This could help ensure that your entire living space is filled with the desired heat. A heat pump that does not meet the capacity of your home will struggle to heat every square foot of the house. This can lead to the heat pump wearing out sooner than it would have otherwise.
True Mechanical Issues
Remember, there are times when mechanical issues with the heat pump you are using are genuine. When this is the case, you may notice:
- Grinding or hissing sounds coming from the heat pump
- Frequent tripping of the breaker
- The air temperature remains precisely the same regardless of use
Is Your Heat Pump Not Working This Winter? We Can Help!
If you experience any of these issues or simply want a professional team to inspect your heat pump, please contact us today. Our team is more than happy to work with you to identify the root cause of your heat pump issue. We are committed to providing you with the mechanical solution you deserve.e failing, and why annual HVAC inspections are essential for both efficiency and safety.