If your home heating system features a heat pump, you have a convenient and environmentally friendly option for staying warm in winter. But like any appliance, heat pumps do have some potential problems that can crop up in cold weather. Here are a few you may run into this winter and when to call for HVAC maintenance.

Common Heat Pump Issues

1. Ice on the Outdoor Unit

Heat pumps work by compressing or expanding refrigerant to manipulate its temperature and collect heat from the outdoors. This means the outdoor unit gets extremely cold, and it may end up covered in ice. Many heat pumps handle this by briefly reversing direction, sending heat from indoors to melt the ice. Since it doesn't take much heat to do this, you likely won't notice a temperature change indoors. However, if you do, or if your heat pump isn't handling the ice that is forming, call an expert.

2. Not Enough Heat

Heat pumps can run at almost any temperature. But at very low ones, they are limited in the amount of heat they can produce without losing all the energy efficient and eco-friendly benefits that made you choose this appliance in the first place. For this reason, many homeowners with heat pumps choose to have a furnace installation alongside the pump for the coldest weather.

3. It's Constantly Running

If your heat pump is always on, there are several potential problems. It's possible that the weather is too cold for the unit to handle or that the unit itself is too small for the space it's trying to heat. There may also be an issue with the controls, especially if you notice it's getting too warm in your home. An HVAC technician can diagnose the problem and provide solutions.

If you're having trouble with your heat pump, choose Stewart Air Conditioning & Heating to fix it. Based in Lexington, KY and serving Fayette County, these licensed and certified HVAC contractors boast over 40 years of experience and an excellent BBB® rating. To schedule a visit, call (859) 252-4945 or contact them online.