A heat pump is supposed to keep you warm and cozy when it’s cold outside. However, if you are noticing something unusual such as no air through vents, it means something has gone wrong and you should consider heat pump repair. Let’s take a look at why your heat pump might not be blowing air through the vents and what you can do about it.
Clogged Air Filters
If you were not aware, heat pumps come with air filters that are designed to purify the air by keeping contaminants and toxicants away. This means the air filters are supposed to turn dirty and even worse, clogged if they are not cleaned regularly or replaced.
Cleaning and replacing air filters is part of basic maintenance. So, if you observe that your heat pump is not blowing air through the vents, it most likely means the air filters need to be checked. Clogged air filters will not only impede airflow but also put stress on the unit.
To ensure that your air filters are clean, you should consult the user’s manual. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean your air filters at least once if you are using the heat pump on a daily basis.
Oversized & Undersized Heat Pump
Most people purchase an oversized or undersized heat pump thinking a bigger unit would provide more cooling or a smaller unit with hopes of saving some money. However, it does not work like that. The majority of the heat pump problems related to cooling and heating are related to inappropriate size.
If you happen to install a unit that is bigger than the area it is supposed to cool or heat up, it will short cycle more frequently and provide the energy efficiency you require. As a result, you will simply increase your energy bills.
On the other hand, if the unit happens to be smaller, it won’t be able to cool or warm up the room sufficiently. Therefore, it continuously works and does not cycle off because it fails to reach the desired temperature. That said, it is important that you consult an expert and pick a heat pump that is of the perfect size.
Accumulation Of Debris In The Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit has to bear the brunt of extreme weather conditions and dirt, dust, etc. Whatever falls on the ground will most likely end up inside the outdoor unit, especially dead leaves and shrubs. With time, these accumulations will turn to a point where the condenser unit will not be able to dispense heat and will impact the heat pump’s airflow. Plus, it can also cause the heat pump to overheat.
The best way to avoid this problem in the future is by maintaining a cleaning schedule and getting an expert to thoroughly clean it after 2-3 months.
Blocked Or Leaking Ducts
Your heat pump’s ducts and vents are responsible for delivering cold or hot air inside the house. Part of maintaining and cleaning the heat pump includes cleaning the ducts and vents as well. If that is not the case, the ducts and vents will eventually block leading to reduced HVAC airflow.
Furthermore, rodents, birds, and other living beings can also contribute to clogged ducts. Not only can leaking or blocked ducts reduce the airflow but also impact the air quality of the home. In the case of blocked or leaking air ducts, you will observe hot and cold spots throughout the house.
Heat Pump Blower Not Working
The hot and cold air is pushed through the vents and ducts by the blower. If the blower has malfunctioned, the air won’t simply circulate inside the house. Plus, the blower produces a certain sound while functioning. If you do not hear that, it means the blower is the culprit.
In this case, you will need to access the fan blower and see if it is working properly. If it is weak, it will need to be replaced.
Final Word
There could be several other reasons contributing to a heat pump not blowing air but the ones mentioned above are the most common. So, consult HVAC companies Huntington for heat pump issues and make sure you keep your heat pump clean and maintained to prevent blockages and airflow problems.