You’re standing there pushing buttons trying to heat up the house, but it’s just not working. Here’s why: The vent air’s temperature might be below your body temperature (which is about 98.6°F). Ramirez says there are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with a defrost cycle. If you notice that the heat coming out of your vents isn’t as warm as you would like it to be, go through this list before you worry. All rights reserved. Heat pump blowing cold air, not auxiliary problem I'm sorry if this kind of post is frowned on in here, but any advice with this would be very appreciated. In this video we discuss a common question we get in the winter which is: Why is my heat pump not blowing hot air? Heat pump blowing cold air in heat mode. Ramirez explains that when the outdoor temperature drops below 42 degrees in the valley, frost can build up on the outdoor coil of your heat pump. … Heat pumps work by transferring heat from outside into your house. Meanwhile, you’ll get cold air because the fan continues to run as a safety measure, even after the furnace isn’t producing heat. It's normal for the thermostat to drop a few degrees during the process, too. Heat pump not heating. Tom can help. ← What Are the Different Types of Furnaces? Check the air filter to be sure it’s clear. You can purchase these devices at most home improvement stores. How an air source heat pump pulls heat … Possible Conclusion 1: It’s Not Blowing Cold Air But as it gets colder, and your heat pump can’t pull as much heat in from the outdoor air, the air coming from your vents drops slightly in temperature. Common Reasons For Heat Pump Not Blowing Hot Air. Most homes use air-source heat pumps, which run outside air through a series of coils that extract heat energy. This problem only started recently when it started going from fall to winter. And yes, as a result of the system working so hard to heat those outdoor coils, you're indoor vents are blowing cooler air for a short time. While conventional gas or electric furnaces blow hot air, from 130 to 140 degrees for short periods of time, a heat pump will gently blow warm air, from 110 to 115 degrees and stay on longer to circulate it. That means if it’s 25 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the heat pump will crank air into your home that’s around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Proudly serving Columbus, Ohio since 1983. Heat pumps that blow cold air is not as common a problem, yet it does happen, and can be caused by one or more factors. A heat pump may also not be cooling because its indoor coil got iced. During the winter, the pump’s compressor can capture and absorb outdoor heat and transfer it indoors. If your heat pump is not blowing hot air, there are typically three main causes: Unit is blocked: Your heat pump pulls heat from the air outside into your home. And, in cold weather, heat pumps tend to blow warm air out at 95°F. Check your air filter. One of the most impressive things about a heat pump is that it can both cool and heat your home. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. It blows cold air when the heat is on. $25. Furnaces tend to put out about 130 to 140 degree air. level 2. Kent, WA 98032 Contractors - ELECTRL9617Q Electrical - ELECTRL961PQ, © 2021 BxB Media | Electromatic Refrigeration LLC. Continue reading for a few more factors to consider. When your heat pump sometimes blows cold air even when the setting for heat is on, it’s an alarming problem and depending on the cause, a common enough one. However, if your heat pump doesn’t return to heating mode and you’re noticing cool air for a long period of time, you should reach out to a professional. The defrost cycle helps eliminate any accumulated frost. Well this happens sometimes and a few things can be the cause. Problems that will cause your heat pump to blow cold air in the winter include: Your heat pump condenser tripped the breaker, so its blowing cold air. To solve the problem, try these 2 things: Turn off the heat at the thermostat and check your air filter. There are two possible routes here, one of which many homeowners who are new to heat pump systems encounter. So even though the heat pump is creating warm air (usually 80-95°F), it may feel cool to … During the colder months, a heat pump will produce air that is approximately 55 degrees warmer than the outdoor air. Sometimes this happens simply because your batteries have died. Unlike a traditional furnace that generates its own heat, a heat pump transfers air from the outdoors and vice versa. Because many new heat pump owners are accustomed to the warmer air that a heat or gas furnace … Air May Be Warm, But Not Feel Like It. The reversing valve not shifting properly. Unlike a traditional furnace that generates its own heat, a heat pump transfers air from the outdoors and vice versa. Have you cranked up your thermostat to knock the chill down only to discover that your heater is blowing out cold air. While there may be a chance the system … "But in a lot of cases you can almost hear the person breathe a sigh of relief at the other end of the phone after they understand what's happening," Ramirez said. But, if something goes wrong and your heat pump is suddenly trying to cool your home in the middle of the winter, you have a problem. However, remember, any time you find your heat pump not blowing hot air, call a Lansing, MI heating repair contractor to have them troubleshoot the issue for you. Unlike a traditional furnace that generates its own heat, a heat pump transfers air from the outdoors and vice versa. or Request Estimate. Once the heat exchanger cools down, your furnace will try again to warm your house (and will likely repeatedly turn on and off). During the colder months, a heat pump will produce air that is approximately 55 degrees warmer than the outdoor air. Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content. But that's actually a sign that the system is operating correctly during the defrost cycle. Every so often, the unit will go into defrost mode to remove that frost. But if you haven't had one this year, even a mid-season tune-up is a good idea. The Heat Pump Isn’t Actually Blowing Cold Air. Meanwhile, the outside air is redirected back into the outside environment as a blast of icy cold air. It will be more susceptible to freezing if condensation comes into contact with it. There are a few reasons your heat pump could be blowing cold air. Some conditions may apply. Check the ductwork to be sure it’s properly connected. Unlike a traditional furnace that generates its own heat, a heat pump transfers air from the outdoors and vice versa. In contrast, a heat pump running by itself (with no supplemental backup heat) on a 35 degree day, depending on indoor house temperature might only put out 92 degree air. This energy is transferred to internal air that is passed through the heat pump and then blown back into the home. ​At what time did the system begin blowing cold air? A furnace typically puts out air at around 130 degrees, whereas warm air from a heat pump is only a little over 90 degrees on a moderately cold day. Schedule Service. You see, a heat pump heats your home by moving heat from the outdoor air into your home. © 2021 www.azcentral.com. That means if it’s 25 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the heat pump will crank air into your home that’s around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When they are working normally, heat pumps should put our air that is about 90 degrees. If your heat pump is blowing cold air, there are the two possible scenarios: the heat pump truly is malfunctioning and may need to be repaired, or it may just seem like it’s blowing cold air in comparison to what you are used to. This time of year, especially when it gets cold outside in the evenings, we get many calls from homeowners concerned that there is cold air blowing out of the duct registers in their home when their heat is running. Super Cold. The nest seems to blow warm air normally but once it switches to alternative heat source, then it starts blowing cold air. Continue reading for a few more factors to consider. Report Save. Understanding a system defrost could save you $100 to $150 by sparing you a visit from an HVAC technician. If it’s a particularly cold day or night, your heat pump might just be blowing air that’s cooler than your body temperature, making you think it’s cold. Call 614.262.1818 for details. This could make it feel like cool air … Brice Heat Pump Repair: Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air in Winter. While the defrost cycle protects your home's heating and air conditioning system, this process can be confusing to the homeowner. Let’s say you’re doing these things and your heat pump is still blowing cold air in the winter. Get help with your home improvement projects. During the winter, the pump’s compressor can capture and absorb outdoor heat and transfer it indoors. Super Cold. The heater’s blowing cold, or the AC is blowing hot. Common Reasons Your Heat Pump Is Blowing Cold Air. "We've saved a lot of people money by just talking them through a few steps over the phone," said George Ramirez, Service Manager with George Brazil Air Conditioning & Heating in Phoenix. Do you remember the approximate outdoor temperature when the system seemed to be malfunctioning? That’s actually due to the water vapor in the air condensing and freezing as it comes into contact with the colder temperatures of your heat pump coils and the refrigerant inside them. Super Cold. Heat pump frozen in winter During the cold winter months, your heat pump’s outside unit will sometimes be covered with a coating of frost on the sides, or even light ice. If it’s very cold outside, there’s a possibility that your heat pump isn’t blowing cold air, but air that’s colder than your body temperature. While every manufacturer is different, many heating systems are designed to go into a defrost cycle every 30, 60 or 90 minutes if the outdoor air temperature remains below a certain level, in most cases 40 degrees. DO NOT TURN OFF THE TERMOSTAT, as it can delay the cycle. When set to “ON” the fan will stay on even when your heat pump isn’t actually heating. Two Reasons Your Heat Pump Is Blowing Cold Air. This is plenty warm enough to heat your home, but if the air feels cool or cold, there may be a problem with your heat pump. In the winter, heat pump icing up is often perfectly normal. Have you changed your thermostat setting or turned off the system recently. It's important for homeowners to understand that, on cold days, their home is not running the air conditioner to cool the house. Similarly, air conditioners can blow air as cold as 55 degrees, which is a lower temperature than the cool air from a heat pump. Keep these things in mind when seeking out a technician. "We'd rather people save their money for maintenance and true repairs than send out a technician for something they could easily fix with us over the phone.". That includes electrical problems such as bad compressor contactor. "Set it and forget it!" Super Cold. Customers with rooftop units often become concerned when the ice defrosts and the water runs down the roof. If so, your heat pump is likely in defrost mode and you don’t need to call a technician. We wanted to address this, as many times homeowners think this is an issue with their heating and cooling system, but if they have a heat pump, it's actually The second scenario usually happens to newer heat pump owners. For more information about heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair, visit George Brazil or call 602-842-0009. 1. share. Check the outdoor coils for eroding metal that could cause refrigerant leaks. Continue reading for a few more factors to consider. While the cycle runs, homeowners can briefly feel cool air coming from the vents. The basics… A qualified technician should inspect the burners, blower, safety switches, exhaust systems and defrost controls. The heat pump may be blowing warm air; it just does not “feel” warm. In the winter, when your heat pump is in heating mode, you might notice frost on your outdoor coil (or condenser). Here are some possible causes of the issue and what you can do … This is different from a furnace, which can blast hot air over 100°F. All systems should be performance tested and the results explained to the customer. Ramirez says his team asks callers specific questions that can help them understand if they are dealing with a defrost issue or something more serious. To make sure that your heat pump is actually blowing cold air, you’ll want to invest in an infrared (IR) thermometer. Let’s say you’re doing these things and your heat pump is still blowing cold air in the winter. While there may be a chance the system needs work, a reputable HVAC pro will ask a few important questions before taking your money. Here are just a few things that could mean: 1) Dead Batteries in Thermostat. The condensation occurs from your unit dehumidifying your home. Posted on August 2, 2016 by johnson June 8, 2018. Avoiding an annual check-up could void a manufacturer's warranty, increase the chances of a breakdown and boost energy costs. One temperature rule: Keep in mind that a system runs best with the thermostat set at one temperature. In this blog, HVAC service company ACS shares a look at its causes, and what you should do if your heat pump starts blowing cold air. Nest Thermostat Generation 3 2 years ago. Continue reading for a few more factors to consider. If the heat pump turns on when you want cool air, but not for heat, this is likely the cause. Below are some reasons you may be getting a blast of chilly air and how you can warm up your house as soon 1as possible. Heat pumps take this process and crank it into overdrive, extracting heat from cool and even cold air. he added. There's a good chance you're dealing with a system defrost issue, and the cool air coming from your vents will be balanced by hot air pretty quickly. You can hear it blowing, but no heat is coming out. Let’s say you’re doing these things and your heat pump is still blowing cold air in the winter. Steer clear of companies whose technicians can't clearly explain what they are doing to your system. The neat trick with heat pumps … What to do: 1. It's a statement heating and air conditioning pros hear every winter – "My heat pump is blowing cold air!" What to do if your heat pump is blowing cold air. The indoor coil in the air handler gets cold when the heat pump is in cool mode. It will also need to be replaced by a technician. If the airflow to your unit is blocked by snow, ice, leaves or another type of debris, this can make it hard for the heat pump … Any Heat Pump Repair. Ask for your HVAC company's inspection list and compare it to the ACCA's. Water run off: Some units may even see water dripping or steam rising from the outdoor condenser coils. 1.Your Heater hasn’t had time to warm up. Ramirez recommends between 69 and 72 degrees. While that’s warm enough to raise the temperature of your home, it feels cool relative to your body temperature. Make sure the thermostat is set to “AUTO”, not “ON”. Seems silly, but you’d be surprised how often this has happened. It's a statement heating and air conditioning pros hear every winter – "My heat pump is blowing cold air!" During the winter, the pump’s compressor can capture and absorb outdoor heat and transfer it indoors. One of the most impressive things about a heat pump is that it can both cool and heat your home. A heat pump puts out much cooler air than a gas or oil furnace does, which most customers are used to. If it’s dirty, change it! off. Red flag: Check the outdoor coil. If you see frost accumulated on the coil that does not go away, then you will need a visit from an HVAC expert. Check your thermostat to be sure it’s properly set. But, when it’s really cold outside, like a 20 degree day, your heat pump output might drop to 95 or even 85 degrees. 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