There is a time when your heat pump ought to be cooling and instead puts out warm air. Or perhaps you notice odd noises whenever the system is put to work. And then there is the matter of an energy bill that has gone up with no explanation to show for it.

You would not be the only one in Santa Barbara County to have such concerns. Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air has been at the service of homeowners here since 1980 to put an end to heat pump issues. Call 805-285-3988 and we can put you right.

For the climate of the Central Coast, a heat pump is a sensible way to go. The one system does the heating and the cooling and our mild weather allows for efficient operation most of the year. Yet they are equipment and will give you trouble eventually. It is good to know what to look for in order to maintain comfort in the home and your budget.

The Heat Pump Is Not Doing Its Job

We get this complaint more than any other: the unit is running but the air is not as it should be. Some of the culprits are a filter so clogged it chokes off airflow, or a leak that has left the refrigerant low. A reversing valve can get stuck and fail to change over from heating to cooling, or the outdoor coils may be frozen after a cold morning. Then there is the possibility of a miscalibrated or otherwise failing thermostat.

In some cases an easy fix is all that is needed; you can put in a new filter yourself. When it comes to the reversing valve or refrigerant however, you need a licensed technician. One cannot just top off the refrigerant without addressing the leak, and the regulations do not allow for it anyway.

Unusual Noises From the Unit

A heat pump is not silent under normal conditions. But if you are hearing grinding, squealing, rattling or clicking, something is amiss. Grinding is typically worn motor bearings, while a belt that is loose or slipping will squeal. Rattling could be debris or hardware that has come undone, and a hissing noise is sometimes a telltale of a refrigerant leak. Repeated clicking might be the electrical relay. Do not put off dealing with these sounds, it will only compound the problem. An early repair is invariably less costly.

It Will Not Stop Running

A properly sized system in our moderate temperatures is meant to cycle on and off during the day. If yours is running without pause, there is an issue. It could be that the home is too large for the unit, or it is having to work around dirty coils or low refrigerant. Check to see if the outdoor unit is obstructed by plants. All of which will take its toll on the components and leave you with a higher energy bill and a home that is not as comfortable as it could be.

Short Cycling

Then you have the reverse situation where the heat pump is turning on and off in quick succession. This is hard on the compressor, the priciest part of the system to put in. An oversized system will do it, as will a thermostat sited in direct sunlight or by a window, or a problem with the refrigerant.

Ice Build-up

Some frost on the outdoor coils of a cold morning is to be expected, the defrost cycle will take care of it. Should the ice persist or become thick you are looking at poor airflow, a defrost control or low refrigerant. Leave it to a professional and do not try to chip it away, you risk damaging the coils.

Your Energy Costs Are Up

When the numbers on your energy bill start to creep up, it is often because the heat pump is being made to work harder. Worn parts, clogged filters and dirty coils are just a few things that demand more power. With regular maintenance you will preserve efficiency and nip small problems in the bud.

Making a Call to the Pros

While a few heat pump troubles are straightforward to remedy, most call for the training and licensing to be done in a safe manner. We are a family owned and insured business, BBB accredited with an A+ rating. As a Carrier factory authorized dealer we are certified to install, replace and make repairs on all their HVAC models and stand behind it with a warranty that is the best in the industry.

For anyone in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria or the rest of the county whose heat pump is giving them grief, contact Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air. Our team will have your home in good order again. You can reach us Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm at 805-285-3988.