Why Is My Heat Pump Blowing Cool Air in Heating Mode?

Heat pumps are a staple of heating and cooling in the temperate climate around Gainesville, FL. However, if you turn on heating mode and your system continues blowing cool air, you have a problem. Discover the common causes of a heat pump blowing cool air and what it means for you.

It’s in Defrost Mode

One of the most common causes of your system blowing cool air is when it switches to defrost mode. This happens when the outside coils drop below freezing, which causes them to ice over and prevents heat transfer.

The system will automatically flip into defrost mode to reverse the refrigerant’s flow and force hot refrigerant into the coil. This cycle should only last about 10 minutes, but you may feel cool air blowing during that time.

Faulty Thermostat

Thermostats are the brain of your heat pump, and various problems may cause cool air to blow. It may not register the air temperature correctly, or it may send an improper signal to activate the reversing valve. A technician should test your thermostat’s function during routine heat pump maintenance to ensure that it’s sending accurate signals.

Reversing Valve Issue

The reversing valve itself may have a problem and need repair. This sits along the refrigerant line and is a fairly straightforward repair for a professional. The good news is that a faulty reversing valve does not necessarily mean you need a new heat pump.

Refrigerant Leak

Your entire heat pump operates through the use of refrigerant to transfer heat. To work properly, it must have a certain amount of refrigerant in the system to build the appropriate pressure.

Low refrigerant indicates a leak somewhere in the system, potentially in a coil, a line, or through the compressor. Leaks need immediate attention to prevent catastrophic damage to the compressor, requiring a system replacement.

Don’t waste time and money hoping your heat pump will magically fix itself. Call to schedule your heat pump repair with one of our NATE-certified experts at Browning Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC.

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