You will often read, including on this website, about the benefits of annual HVAC system maintenance. While annual maintenance is far better than no maintenance, when it comes to heat pumps it’s not enough. Let’s take a look at why you need to have your heat pump professionally checked at least twice a year.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Heat Pumps’ Category
The Benefits of Bi-Annual Heat Pump Maintenance
Monday, April 25th, 2016Why is My Heat Pump Not Putting Out Heat?
Monday, February 29th, 2016Heat pumps are highly valued for their ability to act as both heating and air conditioning systems. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons that homeowners install them in the first place. But, being able to do that means the system is more complicated, which means there are more ways for things to go wrong. If your heat pump seems to be stuck in air conditioning mode, or doesn’t put out as much heat as it should, you may have one of the following problems.
It’s Not Too Late for a Heating Tune Up!
Monday, February 22nd, 2016We still have a few months of winter left before things start consistently warming up (freak heat waves notwithstanding, of course.) If you are using a heat pump to keep warm this winter, and you want it to keep operating to its full potential, you should schedule preventive maintenance for it. Read on to find out more about the importance of heat pump maintenance.
The Benefits of Ductless Heating
Monday, January 25th, 2016Winter is here, and for some of us that means finding a new home heating system. While it can be tempting to just get another heating system just like the one you had, you may be able to find a system that fits your needs much better. Ductless heating, for example, has quite a few advantages to offer. Let’s take a closer look at ductless heating systems, and the benefits that you can garner from installing one.
What to do if There’s Ice On Your Heat Pump
Monday, January 4th, 2016Natural ice isn’t all that common in Orange County, even on the coldest of days. If you’re using a heat pump to keep warm this winter, though, you may notice ice forming on the coil of your heat pump. If so, don’t panic. It isn’t necessarily a problem to have heat pump ice, and is even expected under certain circumstances. However, ice can quickly become a problem under the wrong circumstances. Let’s take a look at why ice forms on heat pumps, and when you need to call for repairs.
The Advantages of Ductless Air Conditioning
Monday, August 24th, 2015Central air conditioning has much to recommend it, and remains the most popular method for keeping homes cool across the country. However, it is not the only method for staying cool during the summer. Ductless air conditioning is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to central air conditioning. Read on to find out more about ductless air conditioning, and the unique benefits that it can provide.
How Heat Pumps Are Different from Forced Air Systems
Friday, May 2nd, 2014The most common way to heat and cool a home is through a central forced-air system, where blowers send conditioned air through a ventilation system to distribute it throughout the rooms. Air conditioners and furnaces are both types of forced-air systems.
How do heat pumps differ from these systems? First of all, heat pumps are also forced-air systems. In fact, much of their operation is identical to that of air conditioners. They attach to ductwork and an indoor blower fan distributes the air through the ventilation shafts, the same way that other forced-air systems work.
But heat pumps have some important differences from furnaces and air conditioners, as we’ll look at. If you are considering installing a heat pump in Laguna Hills, CA for your home, you can find answers to all your questions at Saddleback Plumbing. Call us today and talk to one of our knowledgeable staff members.
The heat pump difference
The standard set-up for a home that uses an air conditioner and a furnace (either gas or electric) is to package the air conditioner above the furnace, which is above the blower fan. The blower works for both AC and furnace, sending air through the furnaces heat exchanger and through the air conditioner’s evaporator coil and into the ventilation system.
A heat pump, however, works on its own: it is both a heating system and cooling system. The indoor unit has a refrigerant coil and blower fans, and the outdoor unit contains the compressor, fan, and refrigerant coil. The heat pump works in the same fashion as the air conditioner: the compressor circulates refrigerant through the indoor and outdoor units, absorbing heat using the indoor coil and releasing it from the outdoor coil. The major difference is that, through a component called the reversing valve, the heat pump can change the direction the refrigerant flows. This means the heat pump removes heat using the outdoor coil and releases heat from the indoor coil. With only a single change on the thermostat, the heat pump switches from an air conditioner to a heater.
However, in either mode, a heat pump still uses forced-air to distribute comfort.
Choosing a heat pump
A heat pump makes an ideal choice for year-round comfort in the Southern California climate. It can deliver air conditioning the equal of a standalone system, and will not struggle with the excessively low temperatures that can cut into efficiency in heating mode. A heat pump also uses less power in heating mode than a furnace does: you will not only save money by not needing to install a furnace, you’ll also pay less to heat your home.
Saddleback Plumbing can install, repair, and maintain your heat pump in Laguna Hills, CA. Our more than 30 years of experience should make us one of your top choices for home comfort.
Common Heat Pump Repairs
Sunday, January 12th, 2014Heat pump technology in Irvine makes a lot of sense. It combines the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit, running refrigerant gas through a closed cycle that can alternately heat or cool your home depending on the season. Heat pumps struggle when temperatures drop to the freezing point, but here in sunny So Cal, that almost never happens. More importantly, they are very efficient forms of technology, allowing you to save a great deal of money on your monthly energy bills. They’re dependable forms of technology too, but like any appliance, they sometimes need servicing.
Here’s a brief list of some common heat pump repairs in Irvine.
- Ice coils. Ice on the coils is usually created when the refrigerant gas leaks out of the system. Like A/C units, heat pumps are designed to be used with a specific amount of refrigerant. When that leaks, it creates ice on the coils which both wastes energy and insulates the gas from the very air it’s supposed to be cooling. You can’t just scrape the ice off – it will quickly reform – but a service technician can seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant.
- Fan problems. The fan blows the cool air (or warm air in the winter) from the heat pump into your home. It’s usually powered by its own motor, and if that motor overloads, it can affect the performance of the fan. The fan can also have a bent or a broken blade, or the fan belt could be damaged, lowering the flow of air.
- Incorrect settings. A heat pump with a problematic thermostat or similar equipment might not turn on when it’s supposed to, or it might cycle on and off without regard for the proper temperature. The faulty component will need to be replaced before it will work again.
If you’re experiencing common heat pump problems in Irvine, call on Saddleback Plumbing for help. We handle calls from communities all around Irvine, heat pump technology is well known to us, and we won’t rest until the problem has been located and corrected. You can also schedule an appointment online!
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
Thursday, October 24th, 2013In mild climates like Mission Viejo, CA, heat pump technology makes an attractive alternative to traditional gas furnace systems. Heat pumps combine the function of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit, allowing you to both heat and cool the house with one system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they can save up to 40% on your monthly bills. They function best in mild climates where temperatures don’t drop below 40 degrees very often, making them perfect for Southern California towns like Mission Viejo.
Saddleback Plumbing can repair or install a heat pump in your Mission Viejo home!
How does a heat pump work? Read on for the answers.
Heat pumps are based on the same technology as traditional air conditioners, which involves a closed loop system that circulates refrigerant gas. In the summer, the gas enters a compressor on the outside part of the unit, which subjects it to a huge amount of pressure and heat. The pressurized gas then moves to a series of condenser coils, which bleed off the heat into the outside air and reduce the gas to a liquid state. Still under pressure, the liquid moves to the inside part of the unit and passes through an expansion valve into a series of evaporator coils. As the liquid evaporates, it pulls heat from the air above the coils, making it very cold. A blower fan then blows the cold air into your home, keeping the air cool and comfortable when temperatures rise. The gas then returns to the compressor to start the cycle all over again.
That’s the summertime. In the winter, you essentially reverse the process. The evaporator array becomes the condenser and the condenser array becomes the evaporator: releasing cold air outside and blowing hot air into your home.
Heat pumps usually cost a little more to install than gas furnaces, which can be offset by their increased savings and efficiency. If you need Mission Viejo heating service, there’s a reliable company nearby to help. The experts at Saddleback Plumbing can explain how a heat pump works, then help you find the right unit for you before scheduling an installation. Pick up the phone and call us for an appointment today.
When to Call for Heat Pump Service?
Monday, October 29th, 2012If you’ve invested in a heat pump, you probably did it for the energy savings that they can potentially provide. Heat pumps are wonderful additions to your home because they provide efficient heating and cooling your house. But if you don’t keep up on regular maintenance and repair services, they might start to become costly and inefficient. But how do you know when you need heat pump services at your home in Irvine? We’ve put together a handy list of some of the common problems that heat pumps experience.
No Heat
This is a common experience with heat pumps that we get called to deal with. There are a few common things that can cause your heat pump to fail to produce heat. The first is no power or a broken igniter. The first thing to do is make sure the heat pump is plugged in and that the igniter light is on. Another common culprit of no heat is your thermostat. You should test your thermostat to see if it is actually working correctly. Beyond these things, you should probably call for the services of a Irvine heating technician.
Not Enough Heating or Cooling
Your heat pump uses a series of coils that are filled with a refrigerant to move heat from one place to another. In heating mode, your heat pump collects heat from the outdoors and moves it into your house. In cooling mode, it does the opposite. The refrigerant is what carries the heat from one place to another. If you have too little or too much refrigerant, it can prevent the heat pump from providing enough heating or cooling. You should check the pressure gauge on the heat pump to see if you have enough or too much refrigerant. Low heating and cooling may also be caused by a broken compressor or a dirty filter. All work on the refrigerant, compressor or filters should be done by a trained professional.
Frost on the Heat Pump
There are a few different things that can cause frost to appear on your heat pump. This can sometimes have to do with a defective fan or dirt build up in the evaporator coils. It can also be from a broken compressor. All of these repairs should only be attempted by a certified professional. If you attempt to do this yourself you could risk damaging your system permanently.
If you need heat pump repair services at your home in Irvine, then call Saddleback immediately. We are proud to offer complete heat pump repair services in Irvine and can get your system working correctly quickly.