{"id":636,"date":"2018-12-03T11:00:54","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T16:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/?p=636"},"modified":"2018-11-28T16:20:08","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T21:20:08","slug":"when-good-heat-pumps-go-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/heat-pump-service\/when-good-heat-pumps-go-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"When Good Heat Pumps Go Bad"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"scared-woman\"Heat pumps are reliable systems with tons of benefits. They can operate as either an air conditioner or a heater, making them a growing favorite of homeowners across the nation. They\u2019re also one of the most efficient HVAC systems on the market, saving hundreds of dollars in operational costs.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost enough to make you think they can do no wrong … But sometimes, those innocent heat pumps can get into serious trouble.<\/p>\n

Now, don\u2019t get us wrong\u2014we love heat pumps as much as any other HVAC contractor in Rocklin, CA<\/a>. And while we don\u2019t actually believe your heat pump will rebel against you, we also won\u2019t pretend they don\u2019t have some common problems (no heating system is 100% perfect!). A few of these problems, and what you should do about them, are listed below.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Defrost Cycle Preventing Hot Airflow<\/h2>\n

Weather in Northern California doesn\u2019t often fall below 30\u00b0F. Even so, the refrigerant that cycles through heat pumps can sometimes run 10 to 20 degrees colder than the outdoor air. That can be enough for frost to develop on the outdoor heat pump.<\/p>\n

When this happens, the heat pump will enter its defrost cycle. Warm air will be diverted to the outdoor unit to help melt the frost away. During this time, you can expect to lose warm air for about 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

If time passes and there\u2019s still no hot air, the outdoor air could be too cold for even the defrost cycle. And if that\u2019s not the case, you might have a more serious problem. Time to call for a repair.<\/p>\n

Refrigerant Leaks<\/h2>\n

Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your heat pump. It runs through the coils in your heat pump, undergoing phase changes and facilitating the transfer of heat. This is how a heat pump brings warm air into your home (or, in the summer, removes warm air from your home).<\/p>\n

For that to happen properly, the level of refrigerant must stay constant to keep the system balanced. The biggest threat to this balance is a refrigerant leak.<\/p>\n

After several years of use, the refrigerant lines or coils can develop corrosion. First, it will start off as a pinhole leak\u2014barely visible\u2014and get bigger from there. It takes the careful eye of a professional to spot these leaks early on.<\/p>\n

An unchecked leak can bring a heap of problems to the system:<\/p>\n