Heat Pump Repair and Installation in Austin (And Surrounding Areas)
Heat Pump Repair and Installation in Austin (And Surrounding Areas)
Heat Pump Repair, Installation & Maintenance in Austin TX
A reliable and efficient heating system is absolutely critical, especially during the winter months in Austin when temperatures may suddenly drop in a matter of hours. Our expert team has decades of experience serving the Austin community and we're dedicated to providing high-quality service and support for all of your heat pump needs.
Every home and heating system is unique, which is why we take a personalized approach to our heat pump services. Our goal is to protect your best interests and provide recommendations based on your specific needs, goals, and budget. Whether you need heat pump maintenance, repairs, or a complete replacement, our team is here to provide the highest level of service and support throughout the entire process.
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Easy Booking
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Fast Turnarounds
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Licensed & Insured
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Precision Diagnostics
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1-Year Comprehensive Warranty
Heat Pumps: A Heating Solution for Austin Residences
Heat pumps are an excellent heating solution for homes in Austin, TX. They provide efficient and reliable heating during the cooler winter months, while also offering the added benefit of cooling during the hot summer months. Heat pumps work by transferring heat between the indoor and outdoor units, rather than generating heat, which makes them an energy-efficient option for homeowners.
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.
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.
Heat pumps and furnaces both have pros and cons. Which one is right for you will depend on your needs and goals.
Heat pump efficiency vs. Furnace efficiency
By collecting heat energy from the outside rather than generating their own heat, heat pumps are capable of transferring a lot more energy than they use. A modern gas heater can be up to 95% efficient and electric furnaces operate at 100% efficiency, but in ideal conditions, heat pumps can transfer hundreds of times more energy than they consume.
A heat pump remains efficient even below freezing; a modern heat pump will still work at more than 200-300% efficiency between 0 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that during an average winter, Austin residents with installed heat pumps generally have lower heating costs than those operating a furnace.
Heat pump costs vs. Furnace costs
Comparing Installation Costs
The up-front installation cost for a heat pump will generally be higher than installing a furnace. However, because a heat pump also functions as an air conditioner, it’s almost always less expensive to buy a heat pump than it is to install a furnace and air conditioning unit separately.
Comparing Operation Costs
According to the Department of Energy, a modern heat pump can reduce electricity use for heating by 50% compared to electric resistance heating.
Heat pump lifespan vs. Furnace lifespan
The longevity of your home’s heating system depends on a variety of factors including proper installation, frequency of use, and regular maintenance. All other things equal, you can expect a heat pump’s lifespan to be slightly shorter or on par with that of a furnace, since heat pumps are used almost constantly year-round.
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.
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.
Common Questions About Heater Heat Pumps
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.
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.
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.
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.
Expert Maintenance Tip For Your Heat Pump
A clean filter is your heat pump’s best friend. If you run into an issue with your heater, such as weakened performance, lower airflow, or unusual sounds, try changing your air filter first and foremost. If your issue resolves when you change out the air filter, we recommend more frequent filter replacements.
RedHome Heat Pump Maintenance Includes:
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Electrical checks
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Air filter changes
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Operations testing
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Connections checkup
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Ductwork inspections
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Outdoor unit cleaning
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Refrigerant monitoring
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Evaporator coil cleaning
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Condensate line cleaning
Our Customers Love Us
Honesty over everything. Two other companies said my 20 year old system was on its last legs, even though it was performing well, but these guys recommended some simple restoration fixes to keep it going strong. Not to mention they were kind, prompt, and knowledgeable. Take a wild guess who I’m using to replace it when it eventually needs to be!?!
I have been using Redhome’s services for my house and rental properties. He is always honest, prompt, and reliable.
The technician must be experienced as he immediately knew what the problem was & 30 minutes later cool air was coming out of the vents! I wish there were more stars to check 👍!!!!
Eldon is prompt , detail oriented, explains his work, and is courteous, friendly, and very knowledgeable and capable!!
Came right away and bing bang boom, fixed everything and out the door within an hour. Elton was a great guy and gave great service
Great work at an affordable price! Elton came out on short notice and stopped a leak for us and got our AC working again. Highly recommend!
Elton is truly one of a kind. We have trusted Elton and his team for every client of ours who has needed HVAC support, and they have been consistently excellent every time. Elton is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and dependable, and he always takes the time to explain things clearly and make sure the job is done right. Anna is also amazing. She is kind, responsive, and so helpful, and together they make such a strong team. They are quick to respond, easy to work with, and always provide the kind of service that gives us confidence when referring them to our clients. They are truly a powerhouse team and, in our experience, one of the very best in Austin.
We had Mr. Elton Stewart of Red Hat come by Sunday early morning as promised. He quickly diagnosed the issue with our HVAC and fixed the problem. Fantastic. Also reasonably priced. Thank you Mr. Stewart and Red Hat.
Mr. Elton Stewart from Red Home HVAC Services serviced our AC unit this morning. On a Sunday and early morning right on time as promised. Fantastic, very happy. He was extremely professional, diagnosed the issue quickly and rapidly and fixed the problem. All this and reasonably priced. Thank you Mr. Stewart and thank you Red Home.
Great experience with Redhome! Elton came in to fix several issues due to another HVAC company’s incorrect installation.
Great professional work at a reasonable rate. On time and efficient too!
Hands down the best service experience we've had with HVAC in Austin. Our AC went out and our normal provider (which we had on subscription!) wasn't available for a week. Redhome picked up the phone, and the team was out the same day. They diagnosed and fixed in no time. No less than a day later, we had another unrelated issue, and they were back at our house over the weekend. Honest, skilled, and just genuinely good folks. This is the team you put in your phone and call whenever you have issues.
My A/C went out during the typical 90°F+ Austin spring evenings and made it unbearable to sleep. Devin came out, walked me through how my system worked and its different components, did some basic preventative maintenance on the system, and explained what to look out for in the future. Great company and I can't recommend them enough. They offer a couple of packages available for continued support for the year which is great for the Texas heat if you have children or animals that can't be without A/C.
Exceptional knowledge, service and professionalism. Pricing is approachable and detailed out.
RedHome is always fast to respond, quick to find the issue and the service is like no other. Highly recommend if you want a trustworthy family owner business with integrity.
We recently had a new air conditioning unit installed and could not be happier with the experience. We shopped around quite a bit before making a decision, and this company stood out immediately for their honesty and transparency. No pressure, no gimmicks — just straightforward information and fair pricing. Our technician, Elton Stewart, was fantastic. He was kind, professional, and took the time to explain everything clearly. You can tell he genuinely cares about doing the job right. The installation went smoothly, and everything is working perfectly. If you’re looking for an honest company with skilled technicians, I highly recommend them and definitely ask for Elton!
The absolute best HVAC company in Central Texas and Austin. Do not hire Radiant or another private equity owned HVAC company. Elton is the best.
Elton and Devon were incredible! I texted them my heat had gone out on the day before another cold snap was coming. They were there the same day, on time, and fixed my problem onsite. I will definitely use again and could not recommend more highly!
Prompt, professional, very knowledgeable, more than fair, honest, clean. Feel lucky to know about Redhome. I'm a remodeler and I've seen all kinds of contractors. These guys are the real deal, the ones you're looking for.
Elton always provides great service and clear explanations of any issue. Highly recommend.
Our entire experience from start to finish with Redhome was exceptional. Elton was very professional and provided top notch service with clear communication and precision throughout. They were recommended to me from a friend and I could not be more impressed
Elton and Redhome are always quick and reliable! Love working with them!!!
Redhome showed up at the time that I was given. Other services were not always so prompt. Elton was extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Best experience… Elton is very knowledgeable and so patient. He was able to answer all my questions and put my mind at ease.
Third time using Redhome for home ac/heating problems. They are always very responsive, knowledgeable, polite and genuinely seem to enjoy helping fix your problem. Thanks!
As usual, Elton did a great job! He has been to my home to check my gas heater and air conditioner for many years. Because of his attention to detail the working life of my older unit has been extended by at least a couple of years. Today, Elton did routine winter maintenance, checked for gas leaks, changed the filter and did a small repair on the unit. He is always professional, polite and friendly. I took advantage of signing up for the spring and winter checkups for next year to secure a place in line. When it comes time to replace my air conditioner and gas heater I will get Elton’s input and already plan on having him do the installation.
Elton is such an honest and informative guy. So glad we found RedHome!
Our go-to guy! Professional, prompt, and just a great guy. We are so fortunate to have his help!
I appreciate that this is a local, family-owned business. Anna was very helpful scheduling my appointment, and Elton did a great job diagnosing and fixing my AC in a single visit. He provided clear explanations and estimates, and he was friendly and easy work with.
Elton is the best! He was available in a pinch and solved the AC problem same day. He is my go to!
Elton came out on a Sunday with less than 3 hours notice! He addressed the issue with my ac unit within 30 minutes and his pricing is always very reasonable. I can’t recommend Elton / Redhome Services enough.