Your Heat Pump Doesn’t Start? Try Troubleshooting

Has your heat pump taken a vacation in the middle of a summer heat wave on the South Jersey Shore? Or has it stopped responding during an unrelenting winter cold snap?

Whenever your heat pump fails to kick on, your Marana, home can quickly become uncomfortable and make you feel miserable. In that moment, the HVAC workhorse you have come to trust for year-round heating and cooling can leave you feeling helpless. 

Expert Help for Heat Pumps

At Hamstra Heating & Cooling, we know what can prevent a heat pump from turning on and operating efficiently. Our team routinely diagnoses and repairs the consequences of salt air corrosion, sandy air filters, frozen coils, and everything else that can affect heat pump performance.

We have helped homeowners stay comfortable in Marana, and surrounding communities for more than a century with HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation. We also encourage customers to troubleshoot HVAC issues before calling for professional help.

Five Reasons Your Heat Pump Won’t Start

In this guide, you will find tips to help you assess an unresponsive heat pump. Read on to learn more about these topics: 

• Thermostat checks that save you a service call
• Common electrical hiccups in Marana, homes
• Signs of a refrigerant leak
• Start capacitor issues and what to look for
• Why your reversing valve might be stuck

Let’s take a closer look at each issue!

Thermostat Troubles

Sometimes, the fix is right in front of you. The thermostat should be your first stop if your heat pump does not turn on.

Local Tip: If you just closed your shore home in Cape May County or reopened it for the summer, your thermostat settings may have reset. Someone in your household may have switched it to the off setting inadvertently. Be sure it is set to “cool” for summer and “heat’ for winter.

Also, remember that not all thermostats play nicely with heat pumps. If you recently upgraded or installed a smart thermostat, check its compatibility with your system.

Broadley’s Fix: Our technicians work with all major thermostat brands and models. Let us inspect and upgrade your thermostat. We will ensure the wiring, programming, and compatibility are correct.

Electrical Issues

The electrical system may be the cause if your heat pump suddenly stops working.

Local Tip: South Jersey gets its share of intense summer thunderstorms and winter nor’easters. These extreme weather events can knock out power in Cape May County. If the lights come back on after an outage but your heat pump has not followed suit, it is time to check your electrical panel.

Has your HVAC breaker tripped? Flip it into place.

Broadley’s Fix: Call us if your system still won’t start or the breaker keeps tripping. One of our qualified technicians will take a closer look. We’ve seen it all—from fried relays to surge issues—and we’ll get your system safely back online.

Refrigerant Leaks

Heat pumps use refrigerant to transfer heat in and out of your Marana, home. Minor leaks can develop over time, especially in coastal homes where salty air can wear components.

Local Tip: Your heat pump might still run with a refrigerant leak, but it will struggle to reach the temperature you’ve set or may run nonstop trying to do so. If you hear a hissing sound near your indoor or outdoor unit, see ice forming on the coils, or spot oily or greasy fluid around the lines, your system may be leaking refrigerant.

If you suspect a leak, turn your system off immediately and don’t try a do-it-yourself remedy.

Broadley’s Fix: Handling refrigerant requires special training and EPA certification. Our Broadley’s technicians are certified in refrigerant handling and experienced in working with heat pumps. Let us diagnose and repair your heat pump’s refrigerant leak.

Broken Start Capacitor

Your heat pump’s start capacitor gives the motor a quick jolt to get things running. If it fails, your system might hum but won’t start.

Local Tip: Look for signs of a bad capacitor in your outdoor unit:

• The capacitor looks swollen, misshapen, or cracked.
• It is leaking fluid.
• The top of the capacitor is loose or gone.
• The capacitor’s relief cap is open.
• You hear clicking sounds, but the system does not power up.

Broadley’s Fix: This is one of those repairs you should not try as a do-it-yourself project. Capacitors store electricity, and handling them can be dangerous. Let a Broadley’s technician safely replace the part.

Damaged Reversing Valve

In South Jersey, the shoulder seasons of spring and fall can swing between chilly mornings and warm afternoons, you need heat pump flexibility. Your unit should easily switch between cooling and heating modes. The reversing valve is the component that switches the flow of refrigerant so your system can toggle between heating and cooling.

Local Tip: Sometimes, a light tap on the valve might get it moving again. But more often than not, a stuck or malfunctioning reversing valve needs professional repair or replacement.

Broadley’s Fix: Call us at Broadley’s if your system is cooling when it should be heating or vice versa. We will diagnose the issue and recommend a repair or replacement solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs can help you troubleshoot a malfunctioning heat pump.

How do I reset my heat pump?

To reset your heat pump, turn off the power switches, which may be located on a nearby wall or the unit.  Next, turn off the corresponding electrical breakers in your main panel. After everything is off, wait for at least five minutes. Flip each breaker and switch on in the reverse order you turned it off.

Where is the fuse on my heat pump?

You will typically find the heat pump fuse on a circuit board in the control panel area within the interior unit.

What blows a fuse on a heat pump?

Fuses usually blow when a circuit overloads. It may overload because of a sudden burst of energy, such as a post-outage power surge or when wires loosen, causing a short. Replacing a blown fuse can be a do-it-yourself project. However, fuses that frequently fail indicate a more complex electrical issue that needs a professional diagnosis.

Need Heat Pump Service Near Marana? Call Broadley’s

We know how frustrating an unresponsive heat pump can be, especially during extreme weather in Marana. With our troubleshooting tips, you can identify potential causes and try simple fixes. However, complex HVAC repairs require professional skills and knowledge. For peace of mind and guaranteed results, rely on our experienced team at Hamstra Heating & Cooling for maintenance, repair, and installation. Call us at 520-629-9833 or request service online.