It’s that time of year again! Time for holiday gatherings, festive treats, and reversing your heat pump so you’ll be cozy during all your celebrations. If your heat pump is new, if you need a reminder of what to do, or if you’re having trouble getting it to switch to heating mode, we’ve got the info you need.
How the Reversing Valve Works
In the outdoor unit, there is a special component called the reversing valve, the main thing that makes a heat pump different from an air conditioner. A slider inside that valve can be in two different positions, opening or blocking different pathways for the refrigerant to flow through, which controls which way the refrigerant goes and whether it carries heat into or out of your home.
The movement of that slider is controlled by something called a solenoid. This is a coil-shaped electromagnet. When an electric charge is applied to it, the solenoid creates pressure which moves the slider into the position for cooling mode. Without that charge, the pressure releases, and the slider moves into the position for heating mode.
The Simple Switch
The only thing you should have to do is to switch your thermostat from “cool” to “heat,” and the heat pump should respond accordingly, releasing that electric charge and allowing the slider to be at rest. The refrigerant will flow in the direction that brings warmth into your home.
If Your Heat Pump Won’t Switch
Unfortunately, sometimes things aren’t quite as smooth and simple as we’d like them to be. If your heat pump won’t heat your home after you’ve made the switch, you’ll need the help of a technician who’s experienced with heating repair in San Marcos, TX.
It could be that the slider in the valve has become stuck. It could be that there’s a problem with your thermostat, so the correct signal is not being sent. But it could also be that you have indeed managed to switch it to the correct mode, but the heating is not working because of a refrigerant leak.
If refrigerant is lost from the system, you may experience lukewarm or cool air coming from your vents because there simply isn’t enough refrigerant to carry the warmth you require. If you hear hissing or bubbling sounds coming from your refrigerant coils, that is another sign that a refrigerant leak may have occurred. A technician can locate and repair the leak and refill your refrigerant.
Other Heat Pump Prep for the Season
There are two more things you must do to make sure your heat pump is ready to get to work keeping you cozy while you enjoy the holidays. First, change your air filter to maximize airflow and prevent dust and grit from damaging the system. This should be done monthly. Second, schedule routine heat pump maintenance, so the system can be cleaned, lubricated, and checked over thoroughly.
Maintenance will cut down on wear and tear and ensure that the critical components, like the compressor and blower motor, don’t undergo excessive strain. This helps your heat pump to be more efficient and effective, reduces the likelihood that you’ll need repairs, and even helps the system last longer.
Whether you have a quick question about changing an air filter or you need to schedule maintenance or repair, we’re ready to get your heat pump up and running so you can enjoy the season.
At Thayer Air Conditioning, your comfort is our #1 priority! Contact us today.
