What Does Heat Pump Repair Cover?
A heat pump is an AC that can run in reverse. In summer it moves heat out of your home; in winter it pulls heat from the outdoor air and brings it in. Because the same equipment works both seasons, a heat pump on the Eastern Shore rarely gets a break, and repairs can come up in July or January.
Call (251) 850-5502 and we’ll connect you with a licensed, insured HVAC contractor who repairs heat pumps in Daphne and nearby Baldwin County. The contractor diagnoses the problem and gives you a free estimate before any work. It’s the same local line for AC repair in Daphne during the cooling season.
The Parts That Usually Fail
- Reversing valve. This valve switches the system between cooling and heating. When it sticks, a heat pump may blow cold air in heat mode or refuse to switch over in spring.
- Defrost control board and defrost sensor. In cold, damp weather the outdoor coil frosts over. The defrost control board reads the defrost sensor and briefly flips the system to melt it. A failed board or sensor leaves the coil encased in ice.
- Auxiliary heat strips. Electric auxiliary heat strips in the air handler help on the coldest mornings and during defrost. Burned-out strips or a bad sequencer leave you with weak heat.
- Refrigerant leaks. Low charge hurts heating and cooling alike. The accumulator, flare fittings and coils are common leak points.
- Thermostat setup. A replaced thermostat with the wrong thermostat O/B wiring setting will run the heat pump backward. It’s a simple fix but a confusing symptom.
Emergency Heat vs a Working Heat Pump
The emergency heat setting shuts the heat pump off and runs only the electric strips. It’s there as a backup when the heat pump itself has failed. It works, but it costs a lot more to run, so a system stuck on strips shows up quickly on the power bill. If your thermostat keeps showing aux or EM heat on mild days, have the heat pump checked.
Balance Point and Coastal Winters
Every heat pump has a balance point, the outdoor temperature below which it can’t keep up alone and needs backup heat. Along Mobile Bay, most winter days sit well above that point. Newer heat pumps are rated by HSPF2 for heating efficiency, and cold-climate models keep working efficiently well below freezing. Some homes use a dual-fuel system, pairing a heat pump with a gas furnace for the few coldest nights. Our heat pump vs gas furnace guide compares the options.
Quick Checks Before You Call
Make sure the thermostat is set to heat and the setpoint is above room temperature. Check the filter and the breakers for both the outdoor unit and the air handler. Give the system 15 minutes in case it’s defrosting. If it still blows cold, or the outdoor unit is buried in ice, turn it off and call.
