Question 1

What’s the difference between a furnace and a heat pump?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between a furnace and a heat pump is the way they generate heat. Furnaces use fuel combustion, while heat pumps use refrigerants.

A furnace burns fuel, such as natural gas or oil, to produce heat, which is then distributed throughout the home via ducts or vents. Furnaces are typically located in a basement or utility room, and they require a flue or chimney to vent the combustion gasses.

A heat pump, on the other hand, works by transferring heat from one location to another. It does this by using a refrigerant to absorb heat from the outdoor air or ground, and then compressing and transferring that heat indoors.

Heat pumps can also provide cooling by reversing the refrigeration cycle. They are typically located outside the home and do not require a fuel source like a furnace.

Question 2

How can I tell if I have a heat pump or another type of heating installation?

Accepted Answer

There are two easy ways to tell if you have a heat pump or another type of heating installation.

If your thermostat has both heating and cooling settings, it's likely that you have a heat pump. Heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling, so they require a thermostat with both settings. Additionally, your thermostat will have an emergency heat setting if you have a heat pump.
If you turn your heat on in the winter and your “AC” unit outside is running, it’s because you have a heat pump installed. Heat pumps have an outdoor unit that looks similar to an air conditioning unit. The unit will typically be located on a concrete pad outside your home like an air conditioner.

If all else fails, you can always ask a professional HVAC technician to inspect your system and determine whether you have a heat pump heating system or if your home uses another type of installation.

Question 3

Is a heat pump heater better than a furnace?

Accepted Answer

Heat pumps and furnaces both have pros and cons. Which one is right for you will depend on your needs and goals.

Question 4

Why is my heater constantly running?

Accepted Answer

If your heat pump is running constantly during the winter, you might be worried about its performance and whether you’re facing impending repairs. However, unlike a furnace, heat pumps are designed to run nearly continuously.
If the unit is keeping your home comfortable and you haven’t noticed any strange noises or unusual spikes in energy costs, your heat pump is likely performing as intended.

However, if your heat pump runs non-stop in the winter but is noisy, the air feels cold, or your utility bills are out of control, it’s time to call a professional to diagnose your issue.

Question 5

My heat pump isn’t heating sufficiently. Why?

Accepted Answer

There are seven common reasons why a heat pump may not be putting out enough heat in the winter:

THE AIR FILTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

Air filters are designed to slow dust particles and other small debris from collecting on your unit’s indoor coils. Depending on how often you run your unit, your location, and so forth, your air filters will reach their filtering capacity within one to three months.

As the filter collects more dirt, air flow begins to slow. Left unaddressed for longer, the dirt will create a blockage that significantly impedes the flow of air. This will cause your unit to become less effective, reduce its heating power, force it to run more often, and risk unnecessary strain and damage to the compressor.

YOUR COILS ARE DIRTY

Heat pumps use condenser and evaporator coils to absorb and release hot and cold air. The condenser coils are located under the metal wiring on the outside unit while the evaporator coils are an A-frame-shaped part that’s situated inside your air handler.

Although the heat pump’s outdoor coils are vastly more prone to collecting large debris such as soil, leaves, and grass clippings, both coils are constantly exposed to a variety of grime and dirt. Dirt buildup acts as a barrier that insulates the coils, making them much less effective. This not only means your heat pump might be blowing cold air, it also forces your unit to run longer, increasing wear and tear and the need for repairs.

During maintenance, our experts will replace your filters, clean the coils, provide an airflow inspection, and check your electrical and mechanical components to ensure optimal performance.

YOUR SYSTEM IS AGING OR YOU’RE OVERDUE FOR MAINTENANCE

An aging or neglected HVAC system won’t be able to keep your home as comfortable as you’d like.

We recommend bi-annual tune-ups for your heat pump to help your heater run more efficiently, reduce energy consumption, and prevent costly repairs or the need for early replacements.

A well-maintained heat pump can easily provide 15+ years of high-efficiency heating and cooling for your Austin home. If your heat pump is nearing the end of its lifespan and repair costs are beginning to add up, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Our experienced team is here to match you with the right unit for your needs, goals, and budget.

YOUR DUCTS ARE LEAKING

Small HVAC leaks aren’t uncommon. In fact, most Austin homeowners will unknowingly experience some energy loss from insignificant leaks that don’t require attention, but larger leaks can significantly impact heating efficiency, airflow, and heat pump performance.

If your heater is constantly running but you don’t detect air flow, there may be a leak in your ductwork. HVAC leaks can put a big dent in your wallet, so it’s important to get a professional assessment as soon as possible.

THE DEFROST CYCLE ISN’T WORKING

Your heat pump automatically switches into defrost mode to melt collected ice and keep your heat pump running efficiently. If your heat pump is running constantly, your defrost function may not be working properly.

YOU HAVE A REFRIGERANT LEAK

Whether in heating or cooling mode, in order to transfer warm air, your heat pump needs refrigerant. While the refrigerant in your heat pump changes states repeatedly, it isn’t ever used up; a normally functioning unit will never run out of freon.

In order for the coolant to do its job, it needs to maintain an exact pressure. The correct coolant pressure required for your heat pump is also referred to as the charge; when you have a refrigerant leak, your heat pump loses its charge or becomes under-charged.

Because your heat pump needs refrigerant to pump heat into your home, the signs of a leak are usually obvious: poor performance, frozen coils, cold air coming from the vents, and complete system shutdown.

During regular maintenance, we will check the pressure of your refrigerant to ensure there are no leaks and your unit will be able to heat effectively in extreme cold conditions.

YOUR HEAT PUMP IS THE WRONG SIZE

If your heat pump is too small, it simply won’t be able to handle your heating demands. As a result, you might notice hot and cold spots throughout your house, a constantly-running unit, high energy bills, and early wear and tear resulting in costly repairs.

While it’s less common for homes to be outfitted with heat pumps that are too large, it does happen. Believe it or not, a big heating system won’t heat your home more efficiently. On the contrary, an oversized heat pump will cause some parts of your home to heat up much more quickly than others, preventing the unit from completing its intended cycle and creating uneven temperatures and extra stress on your system in the process.

Question 6

There’s ice on my heat pump. Is that normal?

Accepted Answer

There are two reasons why you might be seeing ice on your heat pump during the winter:

Temperatures outside have dipped below freezing
You need a professional check-up

When it snows or sleets, it’s not uncommon to see ice build up on your heat pump. Sometimes, condensation that forms during the normal part of the heating cycle will also create a fine layer of ice on the outside unit. This is perfectly normal, and was what your heat pump’s defrost cycle was created for. The automatic defrost function is designed to keep ice off your unit during the winter by pushing hot air over the outside coils.

If your unit is freezing up when it’s cold outside, a lack of airflow may be the culprit; a dirty air filter, yard debris, and closed vents are common. Be sure your filters are clean, vents are open, and your outside unit isn’t obstructed.

If the defrost cycle isn’t preventing ice buildup, your heat pump’s functionality will be impaired and serious damage can occur. To prevent part malfunction or complete system breakdown, call a professional as soon as you notice that your heat pump isn’t defrosting.

Prolonged ice on your heat pump could indicate that your defrost signal isn’t being triggered, your coils need cleaning, your blower motor has stopped working, or you have a refrigerant leak.

Question 7

What type of maintenance does a heat pump need?

Accepted Answer

Because your heat pump does the job of a furnace and an air conditioner, regular maintenance is crucial. Our maintenance plans are designed to improve system performance and let us get ahead of potentially costlier problems.

Question 8

How can I prepare my heat pump for extreme colds?

Accepted Answer

In the past, heat pumps were most commonly installed in areas with mild winters such as the southwestern United States. That’s because once outside temperatures dropped below 40 degrees, they became far less efficient. Today’s modern heat pumps are designed to perform efficiently even at temperatures below zero. To get the most out of your heat pump this winter, try these simple steps:

ENSURE PROPER AIRFLOW

Your heat pump’s outside unit requires 2-3 feet of clearance for proper airflow. Removing debris such as branches, leaves, and snow to reduce the load on your system will save you money on energy bills in the short-term and repairs and replacements in the long run.

Replacing your filters is also essential for proper airflow. Your 1-inch filters should be replaced every 2-3 months, and more frequently during months when you run your heater daily.

Closing the air vents in some of your rooms may seem like a good solution to wasted energy or uneven heating. However, closed vents won’t cut down on your heat pump’s energy consumption. Additionally, closing some of your vents creates additional air pressure throughout your ductwork, which can lead to air leaks, inefficient operation, and costly repairs in the long run.

KEEP YOUR UNIT DEFROSTED

If your heat pump is covered in snow or ice during the winter, the coils responsible for creating warm air will become less effective, creating higher demands on your system and increasing the need for maintenance, repair, and replacement. To help you deal with inclement freezing weather, your heat pump unit has a built-in defrost cycle that’s designed to prevent your unit from freezing. During the defrost cycle, the unit will blow cool air inside while releasing hot air outside.

Question 9

Do heat pumps work with mini-splits?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In fact, mini-splits are a type of heat pump, so they are designed to work with both heating and cooling systems.

Mini-splits are a great way to gain better temperature control, provide additional heating for new renovations, and more. In heating mode, a mini-split heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it indoors to provide warmth. The indoor unit(s) then distributes the warm air throughout the room or zone.

Mini-split heat pumps can be used as a primary or supplemental heating source, depending on the size of the system and the heating needs of the space. If you already have a heat pump system installed in your home, you can use a mini-split as a supplemental heating source to provide targeted heating in specific areas.

Heat Pump Repair and Installation in Austin (And Surrounding Areas)