Heat pumps are a wonderful alternative to traditional HVAC systems due to their efficiency and low maintenance requirements. One of the best features of heat pumps is that they can reverse their settings to cool your home during the hot months and warm it during winter.
However, if your heat pump is malfunctioning, it could blow cold air when you don’t want it to. A heat pump blowing cold air is a sign of mechanical issues that you need to fix. With that in mind, our team at 1st Choice Mechanical LLC is here to troubleshoot heat pump heating problems we commonly encounter.
Contact us today to schedule heating system troubleshooting and certified heat pump repair in Phoenix, AZ.
How Do Heat Pumps Work in Phoenix Homes?
Heat pumps use a series of pipes and valves to extract heat from air and ground sources to heat your home. Unlike a traditional air conditioner and furnace split system, heat pumps don’t produce heat; they just move it around.
This same design means that heat pumps can move heat out of your home during the summer months, similar to how a traditional air conditioner works. This efficient design principle is why heat pumps are popular for electrification projects as a means of efficient and environmentally friendly HVAC.
Cold Air From Heat Pump Issues and Solutions
Heat pumps are supposed to blow cold air sometimes, but if they are doing it at the wrong time, the following are some possible reasons.
Broken Reversing Valve
The first thing to look at when you have a heat pump not heating properly is the reversing valve. This heat pump component switches the flow of coolant fluid. In other words, it’s the thing that switches the heat pump setting from “heat” to “cool” in your house.
If you have your heat pump on the “heat” setting and it’s blowing cold air, the most obvious culprit is a malfunctioning reversing valve. Other common heat pump malfunctions include a broken compressor or broken fan motor.
It’s in Defrost Mode
Another possible reason for a heat pump blowing cold air is it is in defrost mode. Heat pumps have a special defrost mode where they blow cold air to get up the outdoor coils so they melt.
During this time, the heat pump might start blowing more cold air than usual through the vents in your home. You can tell if your unit is in defrost mode if the outdoor unit fan is not spinning and the unit is releasing steam.
Bad Thermostat Placement
You could have a heat pump blowing cold air because of the thermostat placement. Thermostats have a small sensor that detects the ambient temperature and tells the heat pump when to turn on or off.
If the thermostat is near a heat source, like a heat vent or space heater, it will think the temperature is higher than it actually is, and you will have heat pump temperature issues. The thermostat should be 5 feet up on a bare wall away from windows or doors.
Refrigerant Leak
Heat pumps use coolant fluid, just like traditional air conditioners, and they can spring fluid leaks. Coolant leaks affect a heat pump’s ability to move hot air, so if you have a coolant leak while the pump is in heat mode, it may only be able to blow cold air.
It’s Not Blowing Cold Air
Another possibility is that your heat pump isn’t actually blowing cold air. When you have a furnace, it can create air that is over 100 degrees before the fans push it through your vent system. Heat pumps operate at a lower temperature, so the air they produce isn’t as hot.
If you set your heat pump to 80 degrees, the air might feel colder than it should be simply because you are used to a furnace that creates hotter air. The heat pump will still heat your home efficiently, but the air coming out of your vents might feel chillier than usual.
We’re the Trusted Choice for Heat Pump Repair and Maintenance in Phoenix, Arizona
At 1st Choice Mechanical LLC, we have over 20 years of experience providing heat pump services in Phoenix, Arizona. From routine maintenance and repairs to full-on replacements, we do it all.
If you want to know more about the benefits of heat pump maintenance or need to fix a heat pump blowing cold air, contact us online or call today for an appointment!