Help! My Heat Pump Is Stuck in Heating Mode!

With how hot the daily temperatures have been around here lately, the absolute last thing you probably want to do is turn on the heater. Yet, for some unfortunate souls with malfunctioning heat pumps, that’s exactly what happens every time they want to turn on their systems. If you’re one of those people who can’t seem to get their heat pumps to stop blowing warm air, read on to find out why it might be happening.

Heat Pump Operation

If you want to know why your heat pump is stuck in heating mode, you need to know a bit about how heat pumps work. A heat pump cools a home the same way an air conditioner does: by evaporating refrigerant to siphon heat from inside the home and condensing it back into liquid to vent the collected thermal energy outside. The difference between a heat pump and a normal air conditioner is that a heat pump can reverse the direction that refrigerant flows through its system. It can do this because of a part called the reversing valve.

The reversing valve is a four-way valve that sits in the refrigerant line. Inside the valve is a slide that moves between two positions. In one position, the refrigerant flows one direction and the system cools the home. In the other position, the flow of refrigerant is reversed and the system is put into heating mode. The slide is controlled by an electromagnet called the solenoid, which pushes and pulls it between the two positions.

If the reversing valve develops a problem, it might become unable to affect the direction that refrigerant flows through the system. This can lock the heat pump in whatever mode it was in when the problem started, which in your case was probably the heating mode.

Problems with the Reversing Valve

If your heat pump is stuck in heating mode, it often means that there is a problem with the reversing valve. There are two possible issues that could be affecting the valve. First, it’s possible that the slide in the valve is stuck for some reason. If this is the case, the valve will need to be opened by a professional and the slide reset. The other possibility is that the solenoid has lost its charge and is no longer able to affect the slide. If that’s what’s wrong, the only option is to replace the solenoid to restore its proper function.

Regardless of the specific cause of the reversing valve’s problem, you’re going to need to have a professional take care of it for you. It may seem like a simple fix to get the heat pump cooling your home again, but attempting it without professional training or equipment could make the problem worse. If your heat pump is stuck in heating mode, make sure you call for professional services as soon as possible.

Speedy Air Conditioning Service provides heat pump repair services in Ft. Pierce, FL. If your heat pump needs professional repair services, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians.