A smart thermostat allows you to program the desired temperature in your home based on day-to-day heating or cooling needs. But what if you find your heat pump struggling to reach or maintain the set temperature? This situation often occurs in cold weather, and there are a number of potential causes. A trusted residential and commercial HVAC contractor discusses three of them here.
The outdoor unit is iced over. If the condenser unit — an air conditioner or heat pump device that’s usually installed outside the house — is partially covered with ice or frost, running a defrost cycle will normally resolve the problem. However, if the entire unit is completely iced over and the buildup isn’t melting, it’s time to ring a local technician. Waiting too long can leave you and other occupants of your home feeling cold and numb.
The outdoor unit has stopped running. Inspect your vents and registers and make sure that they’re all open. If this doesn’t work and your condenser still isn’t running, check the power supply and change the filter. You may encounter cold air blowing from the vents when the unit is in defrost mode and you don’t have a supplemental heater. If the unit fails to come back on after a while, however, immediately contact a cooling and heating system professional to fix it for you.
Too much cold air is entering the house. If your heat pump can’t maintain the set temperature, it may be due to great amounts of cold air flowing into the interior space. Be sure your windows and doors are tightly shut and locked to keep valuable heat inside. It’s also possible that there are small cracks or holes around these openings that are allowing unconditioned air to invade your home. If this is the case, you need to seal these gaps using caulk or foam. Additionally, make sure that you have sufficient insulation in the attic and basement.
Acker Heating & Cooling is a premier source of heating and air conditioning solutions in the greater Athens, GA, area. Our top-rated technicians are committed to providing the comfort and efficiency every residential or commercial client needs through industry-leading products and outstanding customer service. Call us today at (706) 989-6663 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment.