Overtime, the refringent levels in your system will decrease and result in your heat pump blowing out cold air. If your temperature is working right, your system will turn off when it reaches the temperature you set it at. If so, your heat pump is blowing warm air that just feels cold to you. Problems that will cause your heat pump to blow cold air in the winter include: Your heat pump condenser tripped the breaker, so its blowing cold air. Under normal conditions, your heat pump periodically switches to air conditioning mode for a few minutes, which heats up the outdoor coils enough to melt any frost and light ice that has accumulated. Make sure the arrows displayed on the filter are facing up. Check the outdoor coils for eroding metal that could cause refrigerant leaks. Remember, a heat pump warms your home by working like an air conditioner in reverse. Common Reasons Your Heat Pump Is Blowing Cold Air. However, if this piece should happen to break down on you, your heat pump may lock itself onto the cooling setting. If the valve isn’t working properly, your system will probably be stuck in cooling mode. However, if your heat pump blows cold air for more than a couple minutes every hour or so, then your system isn’t working properly. If there is air blowing out but it is not very cold or there doesn’t seem to be much air pressure, check your air filter. If you’re sure your system’s filter is not the problem, then you will want to check to make sure that your thermostat is set on the right settings. The reversing valve not shifting properly. However, remember, any time you find your heat pump not blowing hot air, call a Lansing, MI heating repair contractor to have them troubleshoot the issue for you. For example, when the outside temperature drops to 20 degrees, heated air from your heat pump might drop to 85-90 degrees, which is plenty warm but when compared to our average body temperature (98.6), 85 degree air can feel cold. If your ducts have cracks or … So it’s midwinter and you notice that your heat pump is blowing cold air. Not only does this leave your household in an uncomfortable situation, it’s also quite a hassle trying to figure out what exactly is causing the problem. Source. If these strips malfunction, the heat pump will blow cold air. A heat pump blowing cold air could mean: Reversing valve problems. Why Is My Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air? In the winter, when your heat pump is in heating mode, you might notice frost on your outdoor coil (or condenser). But if the heat pump is heating on its own and hasn’t yet switched to backup heating, you may notice the slightly cooler air if you stick your hand up to the air vents. Think of it like trying to … Make sure you especially clean the grille and the surfaces of the register as well. 640 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105-3498 These kits are pretty easy to use, even for the most unexperienced individuals. To make sure that your heat pump is actually blowing cold air, you’ll want to invest in an infrared (IR) thermometer. This could be due to your pilot light, filter, fan, condensate or other problems. If your heat pump continues to blow cold air for more than a few minutes, and your home’s thermostat indicates the temperature is dropping, first try a little troubleshooting: Check the air filter to be sure it’s clear. The reversing valve is the part that allows your system to switch from COOL to HEAT mode. Why is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air when the Heat is On? Now you’re wondering what’s going on. Refrigerant absorbs heat from the air outside and brings it into your home. Let’s say you’re doing these things and your heat pump is still blowing cold air in the winter. Already know you need professional heat pump repair? To begin, there are two things that you should try and do first. Be sure the indoor vents aren’t blocked. To help you determine whether this is your issue, check out this video of a heat pump in defrost mode. The air coming from your supply vent should be anywhere from 15-30 degrees hotter than the air near your return vent (depending on how cold it is outside). These issues might include: Your heat pump has a failing reversing valve. If your heat pump isn’t properly heating your home and blows cold air for more than a few minutes at a time, you most likely have a bigger issue that needs to be fixed by a professional. The customer just thinks the heat pump is blowing cold air. Heat pumps actually blow air that is warm but feels cold to us. If the fan has stopped spinning and is producing a puff of steam, it’s in defrost mode. This is plenty warm enough to heat your home, but if the air feels cool or cold, there may be a problem with your heat pump. Take the old filter out and dispose of it right away. Phone: (651) 228-9200 Another reason why the air coming from your heat pump might feel chilly could be due to the fact that your body temperature is around 98.6°F and heat pumps blow air that is a temperature below that. They including checking your air filter and making sure your thermostat is set correctly. If it’s a particularly cold day or night, your heat pump might just be blowing air that’s cooler than your body temperature, making you think it’s cold. Depending on the design of your heat pump system, there are two places where your filter may be located. Frost on heat pump coils before going through defrost mode. ... not a heat pump. A heat pump blowing mild air—on the cool side in the winter and on the lukewarm side in the summer— doesn’t always mean something is seriously wrong with your system. Check the outdoor coils for eroding metal that could cause refrigerant leaks. Source. If your heat pump system should happen to spring a leak, it could result in cold air blowing through your vents. Though occasional, the refrigerant also needs maintenance like other parts of your heat pump. Well, there are 3 scenarios that might explain what’s happening with your heat pump: Not sure which of the above describes your situation? Any time that cold air is blowing out of your vents when the heat is on, you should run through this checklist. There are a couple different reasons for this. This will keep your system from blowing cold air into your home. Some common causes are quick and easy to resolve. If your heat pump continues to blow cold air for more than a few minutes, and your home’s thermostat indicates the temperature is dropping, first try a little troubleshooting: Check the air filter to be sure it’s clear. How to test for this: Go to your thermostat and check the current indoor temperature. Don’t worry, heat pumps can absolutely heat your home even in low temperatures because it automatically switches to backup heat (electric coils) when it can’t keep up. If so, your heat pump is blowing warm air that just feels cold to you. Unlike a traditional furnace that generates its own heat, a heat pump transfers air from the outdoors and vice versa. But as it gets colder, and your heat pump can’t pull as much heat in from the outdoor air, the air coming from your vents drops slightly in temperature. There are a few reasons your heat pump could be blowing cold air. As a result, your heat pump will continue to blow cold air through the vents. Damaged Ducts. A refrigerant leak. How an air source heat pump pulls heat in from the outdoor air. If you notice that the heat coming out of your vents isn’t as warm as you would like it to be, go through this list before you worry. You can purchase these devices at most home improvement stores. As a result, this will not only limit your system’s ability to produce warm air, a dirty filter can also put extra strain on your system and make your home dusty. Continue reading for a few more factors to consider. To warm your cold inside air, the heat pump’s outdoor unit uses liquid refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. Be sure the indoor vents aren’t blocked. January 17, 2020. Your water heater’s filter will be located next to the blower. Simply slide it out. If your heat pump continues to blow cold air for more than a few minutes, and your home’s thermostat indicates the temperature is dropping, first try a little troubleshooting: Check the air filter to be sure it’s clear. Check to make sure that the air intake isn’t blocked, the ductwork is properly connected, and the filter is clear. Check out this article, on how to tell if your unit is a heat pump or air conditioner. We get more and more furnace questions this time of the year, as temperatures drop, and people transition from air conditioning to heating. Overtime, your air filter can become quite filthy. When it comes to staying warm during the cold winter months, folks in Manteo love their heat pumps. You can either call a professional to have them replaced or you can buy a home kit from your local home improvement store. So what’s defrost mode? Yes, your body may be tricking you into thinking the heat pump isn’t blowing hot air. Locate the panel or the door that is guarding the blower. That’s actually due to the water vapor in the air condensing and freezing as it comes into contact with the colder temperatures of your heat pump coils and the … If you think you do have a leak, it’s recommended that you let a licensed HVAC tech to repair the leak for you. To solve the problem, try these 2 things: Turn off the heat at the thermostat and check your air filter. Be sure the indoor vents aren’t blocked. If you think that your heat pump is blowing out cold air, first you want to make sure that it actually is in fact blowing out cold air. If the unit is not defrosting, ice can build up in a hurry. Created by Rocket Media, Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air, EPA requires by law that a certified professional handle this job, should undergo professional maintenance at least once a year, The Costly Consequences of Closing Your Home’s Vents. To make sure that your heat pump is actually blowing cold air, you’ll want to invest in an infrared (IR) thermometer. You will need to open it up or take it off. This forces the outdoor coils to heat up, melting any frost or ice that has built up. This is a very complex job to fix. This device is designed to measure the temperature of the air flowing out of the vents in your home. Super Cold. This will result in cold air blowing out of your vents. Heat pump not heating Your heat pump has a part built into it called the reversing valve. “Why Is My Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air?” Winter is just about coming to a close, but we still have plenty of colder temperatures ahead. In this video we discuss a common question we get in the winter which is: Why is my heat pump not blowing hot air? If your system fails to do this, then you have a problem. So the air from the heat pump just FEELS relatively cool compared to your body. If your heat pump is blowing cold air at a low volume and your home is taking a long time to … If the heat pump is not blowing enough cold air, there might not be enough refrigerant to move the heat out of your home. Another reason why the air coming from your heat pump might feel chilly could be due to the fact that your body temperature is around 98.6°F and heat pumps blow air that is a temperature below that. It could be that your heater is working just fine. Just contact us with your issue and we’ll send over a tech to inspect your unit. Here are the most common causes of cold air output during the winter: Be sure the indoor vents aren’t blocked. Press Esc to cancel. These include the return-air registers inside of your home or in the air-handler cabinet area of your heat pump. Well, when in heating mode, a heat pump’s outdoor coils are vulnerable to frosting over when outdoor temperatures drop. Some diagnosis is required to find and address the root cause. If your heat pump is reaching your set temperature… If your heat pump is reaching the temperature you’ve set on the thermostat but it feels like it's blowing cold air, there is likely no issue with your heat pump. The refrigerant is not the only part susceptible to leaks. Make sure the air filter is clean. Some common heat pump problems that would cause the unit to blow cold air include: If your heat pump is blowing cold air and isn’t heating your home, we’re here to help. Due to their design, heat pumps blow colder air than gas and electric furnaces. Super Cold. That includes electrical problems such as bad compressor contactor. About MSP, Copyright © 2021 Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Generally, the average temperature a heat pump will deliver will be at a temperature of 85-92°F. Unlike a traditional furnace that generates its own heat, a heat pump transfers air from the outdoors and vice versa. Tom can help. My Honeywell Thermostat is Not Turning On! After 30 minutes, check the temperature again. On the other hand, if your filter is permanent one, then you’ll want to wash and clean it. However, as the air flows out of your vents, it can feel quite chilly. Don’t worry. The second scenario often happens with new heat pump owners and it's easy to explain, so we will tackle this situation first. It’s recommended that you change your air at least every 6 months. To prevent the coils from completely freezing up, your heat pump goes through defrost mode. Get help with your home improvement projects. Here’s why: The vent air’s temperature might be below your body temperature (which is about 98.6°F). Type above and press Enter to search. This will be no different – if your furnace is not blowing air on a cold day, it can be concerning. You see, a heat pump heats your home by moving heat from the outdoor air into your home. Like mentioned above, the filter in your heat pump must be replaced twice a year. To find out if your heat pump is actually blowing cold air, hold a thermometer up to the supply vent (the ones that blow out air) then hold it up to a return vent (the ones that suck air in). If the reversing valve is the problem, it’s best to call a professional. But even at it’s lowest temperatures, the air coming from your heat pump isn’t “cold”, it just feels cold compared to your body temperature. Is your home getting warmer? Common Reasons For Heat Pump Not Blowing Hot Air. If the compressor is not operating properly, your heat pump will not be able to remove heat from the air and blow it inside. My Thermostat Is Not Reaching the Set Temperature: Diagnose the Problem. Defrost issues can be caused by faulty relays, controls, or sensors. When they are working normally, heat pumps should put our air that is about 90 degrees. The compressor in an air conditioner cools the coolant in your system that then draws heat out of the air. Broken reversing valve: As the name suggests, the reversing valve allows the heat pump to work as both a heater and an air conditioner by reversing the direction of the refrigerant. They also use auxiliary heat strips if the outside temperature is extremely cold. The last thing you need right now is for your heating system to give up on you and breakdown. But if you have low refrigerant charge (due to a leak, most likely) then it’s not bringing in enough heat to warm your air. It’s Cold! Locate your resister’s cover grille, unfasten it and remove it if possible. When in defrost mode, a heat pump may blast cold air from its vents for 1 or 2 minutes (before the backup heat kicks in). If the heat pump turns on when you want cool air, but not for heat, this is likely the cause. Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air As nuts as it may sound, the air in your home can feel chilly even though the heat pump may be working completely fine. Continue reading for a few more factors to consider. It may help to bring your old one with you, so the sales clerk can make sure you get exactly what you want. Once you make sure that your heat pump is in fact actually blowing out cold air, then you’ll want to try and resolve the problem. This valve reverses the flow of refrigerant within your system. First, because a gas furnace will usually blow air that’s in the range of 130-140°F, this air can feel quite chilly if you’ve recently switched from a gas furnace to a heat pump. Get a damp washcloth and wipe the dust away. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here’s why: the heat pump may be putting out heat that’s slightly below your body’s temperature (98.6 degrees F, just FYI). And because the heat pump switched to cooling mode, it will blow cold air into your home for a few minutes. Contact us online Luckily, almost all of them are an easy fix for a certified heat pump repair team. If you don’t have an infrared (IR) thermometer, you can also keep a close eye on your thermostat. Let's understand the basics of how a heat pump works: In the summer, a heat pump picks up the heat in your home and dumps it outside. This may include removing screws. The heat pump really is blowing cold air. The heat pump may be blowing warm air; it just does not “feel” warm. Turn your thermostat up to your desired temperature. In other words, the unit’s refrigerant is most likely leaking. Just contact us and we’ll send over a tech immediately. My Honeywell Thermostat Says Wait: What to do Next? If the filter is disposable, you’ll need to head to your local home improvement store and purchase one. Your heat pump might be in “defrost mode” When in defrost mode, a heat pump may blast cold air from its vents for 1 or 2 minutes (before the backup heat kicks in). So even though the heat pump is creating warm air (usually 80-95°F), it may feel cool to you because it’s not as warm as your body temperature. It’s essential that your thermostat is set to ‘AUTO’ and not ‘ON.’ When your thermostat is set to the ‘ON’ setting, the fan will continue to blow even if your system has turned off. Others require help from an experienced HVAC professional. But it is definitely still heating your home. Let’s say you’re doing these things and your heat pump is still blowing cold air in the winter. How to test for this: Go outside and watch your outdoor unit. There’s nothing more annoying than when your heat pump is blowing cold air. It’s Just Been Switched On – Any furnace will blow cold air when it starts up, since it takes … When your heat pump blowing cold air, take advantage of these useful tips, and save yourself a little trouble. If it’s dirty, change it! It will also need to be replaced by a technician. If your heat pump continues to blow cold air for more than a few minutes, and your home’s thermostat indicates the temperature is dropping, first try a little troubleshooting: Check the air filter to be sure it’s clear. Similarly, why is my auxiliary heat blowing cold air? Fast, reliable, and cost effective to use, heat pumps are a popular choice in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. Defrost mode basically means your heat pump temporarily switches to cooling mode. If your heat pump is blowing some cold air, there are a few things that may be going wrong. And why does it make your heat pump blow cold air? We’ll help you determine whether you actually need to call in a professional or not (read on, this could save you the cost of an unnecessary service call). Michael Joseph has more than 20 years of hands-on experience as an avid home handyman and had 10 years in the construction industry, specifically in the field of HVAC. So what’s defrost mode? Another problem could be due to a lack of refringent. Is the Air Truly Cold? Insert the new filter. The other hand, if your system name, email, and in... Designed to measure the temperature of 85-92°F why: the vent air ’ s outdoor unit uses refrigerant. That has built up you have a leak, it’s recommended that you change your air filter can become filthy! 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