In Sarasota, FL, the average summer temperature during the day is in the 90s. With temperatures as hot as this, it’s important to have a reliable heat pump. It will ensure your comfort and give you protection from heat-related maladies. Heat pumps are typically known for their reliability and longevity, but are not immune to potential issues. Keep reading to learn about six signs that indicate you may need a new heat pump for your home.
1. Strange Noises
If the noises are coming from the outdoor unit of your HVAC system, then it’s most likely something loose within the housing. That could include rattling fan blades, buzzing compressor parts, and crackling wires.
If maintenance on the outdoor unit doesn’t resolve the problem, then for safety’s sake, it may be a good idea to replace that part of the system. It’d also be a good idea to check the internal portion of your system and replace any components needed.
Although they should last many years, an air handler needing replacement will rattle and rumble. These noises could indicate a fan that’s about to break down or pistons in the motor that have worn down. There are other less-common problems the noises could be, such as a cracked or broken crankshaft or worn-out belt pulley.
Your heat pump could gurgle or hum, shriek loudly, or sound like metal grating on metal. None of these abnormal noises indicate anything good, so you should, at the very least, have our technicians look at it and perform the necessary repairs.
2. Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home
Your heat pump should heat or cool your home evenly; if it doesn’t, that indicates something is amiss. It could be that parts of your heat pump system contain clogs or that the outdoor unit is dirty. Alternatively, it could show that it’s beyond repair and needs replacement, depending on a professional’s assessment.
3. Large and Sudden Increases in Electricity Costs
Heat pumps are inherently efficient and cost-effective devices for cooling your home during the summer, so any drastic change in your electric bills could indicate the need for replacing your heat pump. Any amount on your bill greater than what is reasonably due to the weather qualifies as excessive, such as a 50% or greater uptick in cost.
4. Weird Odors
The air coming out of your cooling vents should be relatively odorless, so if it smells at all, let alone bad, then something is likely wrong. The kind of odor will tell you what the possible cause is:
- Dirty socks, which indicate the growth of unwanted biological organisms of some kind in the system
- Fishy odors could indicate an overheating or an already-burned-out component
- A vinegary odor, which shows the possibility of an electrical failure or other electrical issue, such as a short circuit
- Burning smells, signaling overheating or electrical issues
5. Not Running at All
Sometimes, your heat pump will just stop and not be able to start back up again. There could be many reasons for this to occur. In most cases, it’s not just one thing but a combination of problems that cause a heat pump’s demise.
Potential causes can be thermostat issues, a malfunctioning starting capacitor, dirty air filters, or a faulty reversing valve. That’s assuming the heat pump doesn’t have a more serious malfunction occurring.
6. It’s Been 10 Years
ENERGY STAR recommends replacing your heat pump after 10 years. At that stage, it’s normal to see a decline in performance or an increase in repair needs.
Being in business for the last 52 years, we’re qualified to handle any job regarding your heat pump. Our technicians are NATE-certified and available 24 hours a day to meet your needs. When you need assistance, give us a call at Climatic Conditioning for heat pump maintenance or replacement services in Sarasota, FL.
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