Heat pumps are getting more popular in Northwest Indiana, and for good reason — they heat and cool with one system, and the newer models work well even when temps dip below zero. But when a heat pump has problems, it can confuse homeowners (and honestly, some HVAC companies too) because it’s a different animal than a standard furnace and AC setup.
We had a homeowner in Dyer last fall who’d been told by another company that her heat pump was “low on refrigerant” three times in two years. Three recharges, three bills, and nobody ever bothered to actually find the leak. When we got out there, we found a pinhole leak in the reversing valve. Fixed the actual problem, recharged it once, and it’s been running fine since. That’s the difference between a company that understands heat pumps and one that’s just guessing.
Indiana winters add an extra wrinkle because heat pumps naturally lose some efficiency as outdoor temperatures drop. A properly working heat pump should still be able to keep up to about 25-30 degrees before the auxiliary heat strips kick in. If your aux heat is running constantly when it’s only 40 degrees out, something’s wrong with the heat pump side.
If your system completely stops heating during freezing temperatures, that’s when our 24/7 emergency services become critical — we’ll get out there and restore heat as quickly as possible.
We stock the most commonly needed parts on our trucks, so most repairs are completed in one visit.
Heat pumps share some components with air conditioners — compressor, refrigerant, coils, metering devices — but they also have components that furnaces and ACs don’t, like the reversing valve, defrost control board, and auxiliary heat strips. Not every HVAC tech is experienced with all of these. Our guys are trained on heat pump systems specifically, including mini-split heat pumps and dual-fuel systems where a heat pump is paired with a gas furnace.
Crown Point’s fluctuating winter temperatures put unique demands on heat pumps. When temperatures swing between 20 and 45 degrees in a single week, your heat pump cycles between standard heating and defrost mode frequently. Systems that aren’t maintained properly or have underlying issues will struggle during these temperature swings.
If your heat pump is making grinding or buzzing noises from the outdoor unit, if it’s not keeping up with the thermostat setting, if you see ice buildup on the outdoor coils that doesn’t go away after a defrost cycle, or if your electric bill has jumped without explanation — those are all signs to get a tech out before a small issue becomes a compressor replacement.
Call All American HVAC at 219-600-3120 for heat pump repair in Crown Point, IN, Saint John, Schererville, Dyer, and surrounding areas. We offer expert diagnostics, honest repairs, and 24/7 emergency services when your comfort can’t wait.
Heat pump acting up? Call 219-690-8930 for a diagnosis.
Some frost on the outdoor coil is normal in winter, and your heat pump should automatically defrost itself. If ice builds up heavily or doesn’t melt after a defrost cycle, that indicates a problem with the defrost control or refrigerant levels.
Heat pumps run longer cycles than furnaces, but they shouldn’t run nonstop without reaching temperature. Constant operation usually means airflow problems, low refrigerant, dirty coils, or an undersized system.
Heat pumps have additional components like reversing valves and defrost controls that standard AC units don’t have. They also use auxiliary heat strips for backup heating. Not all HVAC techs are trained on these heat pump-specific parts.
Auxiliary heat should only activate when outdoor temperatures drop below 25-30 degrees or when the system needs a boost to catch up to the thermostat setting. If it’s running constantly in mild weather, your heat pump isn’t working properly.
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