A heat pump moves heat in both heating and cooling modes. Mild supply air or brief defrost activity can be normal, while persistent ice or poor room temperature needs testing. Mora Home Services checks the operating conditions, controls, airflow and refrigerant circuit before recommending a repair, with the price in writing.
10 Years in Business 20 Years Trade Experience Family-Owned 8 AM to 7 PM, every day.
A reversing valve changes refrigerant flow so a heat pump can heat or cool. Defrost temporarily changes operation to clear frost from the outdoor coil.
What Heat Pump Repair Covers
Heat pump repair starts with checking the system against the outdoor conditions and the temperature set on the thermostat. Heat-pump supply air can be cooler than furnace air, so air temperature alone does not establish a fault.
We check defrost controls, heating and cooling operation, refrigerant levels, outdoor airflow and backup heat. The first job is separating normal operation from a fault.
What This Covers
Cooling and heating mode diagnosis, because a heat pump can fail in one direction and work in the other
Reversing valve testing, including valves that stick partway and leave the system in neither mode cleanly
Defrost board, defrost sensor, and defrost cycle faults that leave the outdoor coil iced over
Auxiliary and emergency heat strip testing, sequencers, and the relays that bring them on
Refrigerant conditions verified using the manufacturer procedure for the system, operating mode and outdoor conditions
Outdoor unit airflow: coil cleaning, fan motor faults, and clearance problems
Thermostat compatibility and configuration for the heat pump and its backup heat
Balance point behavior, so auxiliary heat isn't running when the heat pump should be carrying the load
Signs Your Heat Pump Needs a Look
The outdoor unit stays covered in ice instead of clearing itself periodically
Emergency or auxiliary heat is on constantly and the electric bill has climbed
The system cools fine in summer but won't heat in winter, or the reverse
It runs continuously in mild weather without satisfying the thermostat
A loud clunk or a long hiss when the system changes between heating and cooling
The outdoor fan runs but the house isn't getting conditioned air
How We Handle a Heat Pump Call
We establish what normal looks like for your system
Before calling anything broken we confirm what the system should be delivering at the current outdoor temperature. That baseline helps distinguish normal operation from a fault.
We test it in both directions
We test heating and cooling as permitted by the equipment instructions and outdoor conditions. A mode-specific fault can be missed if the diagnostic never checks the affected mode.
We check whether auxiliary heat is masking the problem
We check when electric backup heat is running and whether the heat pump is working as expected. The findings help explain increased energy use.
We repair and confirm through a full cycle
Where defrost is the suspected fault, we test its operation using the manufacturer procedure and suitable conditions.
Repair or Replacement?
Decide from the equipment findings
Finding
What We Discuss
A serviceable fault in otherwise sound equipment
The repair, parts requirements and expected result.
A major component failure
Repair options, any applicable manufacturer coverage and replacement options.
Repeated faults or poor comfort
The cause, equipment condition and whether replacement would address it.
For a heat pump fault, we explain how the findings affect heating, cooling or backup heat.
Heating and Cooling Equipment
An outdoor cooling unit replacement, as posted on our Google Business Profile.
Common Heat Pump Problems We See
The problems that bring most of our heating and cooling calls, in the words people use when they call. Each one starts with a paid diagnostic visit and a written price before any repair.
Heat pump blowing cool air in winter Heat pump supply air runs cooler than furnace air and can feel lukewarm. If rooms will not reach the setting, we test the system rather than judging by touch.
Heat pump iced over outside Light frost that clears during defrost is normal. Thick ice, or ice that remains after defrost, needs assessment. Possible causes include defrost or airflow problems, refrigerant faults, or water freezing on the unit.
Auxiliary heat on all the time Auxiliary heat can run during cold weather, defrost, or recovery after a thermostat increase. If it runs unusually often, or the house will not reach the setting, we check outdoor conditions, thermostat setup and equipment operation before changing settings.
Heat pump cools but will not heat A reversing valve, defrost control or refrigerant problem can fail in one direction only. We test both modes.
Loud clunk or hiss when it switches modes Some noise at the reversing valve is normal. A change in the sound, or a hiss that lasts, needs a diagnostic visit.
We provide heat pump repair in Germantown, Clarksburg, Boyds, Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg, Derwood, Darnestown, North Potomac, Rockville, Olney, Washington Grove, Travilah and Redland.
Heat-pump supply air can feel cooler than furnace air. Whether the system heats the home properly depends on outdoor conditions, airflow and equipment operation. A room that will not reach its setting needs a diagnostic rather than a judgment by touch alone.
Brief frost and a cloud of water vapor during defrost can be normal. Ice that persists or blocks the coil needs assessment. We check drainage, airflow, refrigerant conditions and the defrost controls.
Auxiliary heat supports the heat pump during conditions such as cold weather, defrost or temperature recovery. Electric resistance backup uses more electricity. Frequent operation can also reflect a setup or equipment problem; we check the cause before changing settings.
Yes. Heating and cooling service runs 8 AM to 7 PM, every day. We check the system and put the proposed repair and price in writing before work begins.
Related Services and Technical Reference
Repair is checked first. For a heat pump that has reached the end of its service life, see heat pump installation.
Tell us what is happening and attach photos if they help explain it. Our office follows up to understand the work. Sending a request does not book a visit. Use the booking link above or call the office to arrange one.
1
Diagnose first.Understand the problem before recommending work.
2
Write the price.Know the scope before you approve it.
3
Do the agreed work.You approve. We do the work.
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Written price before work begins. Our office may call to clarify your request and explain the next step.
