We think heat pumps are a great option for home comfort in San Antonio. The combination of powerful air conditioning and efficient heating makes them ideal for handling our heavy summers and mild winters.

But just like any complex machine, a heat pump can encounter operating problems that require trained specialists to repair. Please do not attempt to open up either the indoor or the outdoor cabinet of your heat pump and fiddle with the components inside when the system starts to show signs of a malfunction. You may potentially make the repair issue worse.

Start right and call in experienced technicians: Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating is ready 24 hours a day to restore your heat pump’s operation.

Here are 3 common repair issues we often see in heat pumps
  • Broken reversing valve – The reversing valve is the essential component that separates a heat pump from an air conditioner. The valve changes the direction that refrigerant flows through the system, and this switches the heat pump from cooling to heating mode. A reversing valve can break down or lose its connection to the electrical system that sends the charge that changes it from an “excited” and “relaxed” state, and this will result in a heat pump stuck in one mode or the other. In most cases, technicians will replace the failed reversing valve.
  • Loss of the refrigerant – Refrigerant, sometimes known as Freon, is the chemical necessary for the heat pump to carry out heat exchange. Each heat pump has a set “charge” (level) for its refrigerant, and the level will only drop if leaks occur in the system. Leaking refrigerant will lower the heat pump’s ability to heat or cool (both will be affected) and trigger ice developing over the indoor and outdoor coils. Technicians will recharge the refrigerant and take care of defrosting the coils.
  • Hard-starting – The term “hard starting” refers to when the heat pump’s compressor struggles to turn on often stuttering, and then frequently shutting off early. This is usually an issue with the electrical system, such as failing capacitors, or it could come from mechanical failure in the motors. Technicians can install a “hard start kit” to overcome electrical deficiencies, or they can replace the malfunctioning motors. The problem must be addressed quickly, otherwise, it could cause serious damage to the compressor, one of the most expensive parts of a heat pump to repair.

Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating has more than 25 years of experience helping people in San Antonio, TX with heat pump repair and work for air conditioners, heaters, and other comfort systems. You can depend on our quality work to handle any issues you may encounter with your heat pump. Contact us to set up an appointment today.

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