Heat pumps are everywhere around Athens. They’re efficient in our mild winters; they handle cooling and heating in one system, and plenty of homes outside town don’t have natural gas anyway. However, they’re not perfect. At Blount Heating and Cooling, heat pump repair is one of our most common winter calls. Here’s how to tell the difference between something that’s wrong and normal heat pump behavior, what usually breaks, and what to do about it.
Normal Heat Pump Behavior vs. Signs of a Problem
If you want the full explanation of how a heat pump heats your home, start with our post on how a heat pump works in winter. The quick version:
| What you notice | Usually normal | Time to call for repair |
|---|---|---|
| Frost or ice on the outdoor unit | Light frost that clears during a defrost cycle | Thick ice covering the coil for hours |
| Steam from the outdoor unit | A few minutes of steam during defrost | No defrost at all, or constant steam |
| Cool air from the vents | Brief cool air during a defrost cycle | Cool air most of the time the system runs |
| Long run times | Running steadily on a 25-degree morning | Running nonstop on a 50-degree day and still not reaching the set temperature |
| Aux or backup heat light | Comes on during cold snaps or big setpoint jumps | On constantly, with a heating bill to match |
| Sounds | A whoosh when defrost starts and stops | Grinding, rattling, screeching, or a loud hum |
The pattern to watch for is a heat pump that can’t keep up on mild days. Georgia winters are mostly mild, so a heat pump in good shape should handle most of the season without relying on backup heat.
Quick Checks Before You Call
- Thermostat mode. Make sure it’s set to Heat, not Cool or Emergency Heat.
- Air filter. A dirty filter cuts airflow and makes the system struggle in both seasons.
- Outdoor unit. Clear leaves, pine straw, and anything else within about two feet of the unit. Don’t chip or pour hot water on ice. You can bend the coil fins.
- Breakers. A heat pump usually has two: one for the outdoor unit and one for the indoor air handler and backup heat.
The Most Common Heat Pump Repairs
These are the problems we fix most often in winter:
- Defrost controls. If the defrost board or sensor fails, ice builds up on the outdoor coil until the system can barely move heat.
- Reversing valve. This valve switches the system between heating and cooling. When it sticks, the heat pump may only run in one mode, so cool air comes out when you want heat.
- Low refrigerant. A heat pump doesn’t use up refrigerant. If it’s low, there’s a leak to find and repair. Our technicians are EPA-certified to handle refrigerant.
- Capacitors and contactors. These electrical parts help the compressor and fan motor start. They wear out over time and are among the most common repairs on any heat pump.
- Outdoor fan motor. If the fan stops, the system can’t pull heat from the outdoor air.
- Backup heat strips. If the strips or their controls fail, you’ll notice it first on the coldest nights.
Learn more about our heat pump repair service.
When to Use Emergency Heat
Emergency Heat (sometimes labeled EM Heat) shuts off the outdoor unit and heats your home using only the electric backup strips. It’s meant for exactly what the name says: getting you through until a technician can repair the heat pump. It costs a lot more to run, so don’t leave it on as your everyday setting. If you find yourself needing it, that’s a good sign it’s time to call us.
Repair or Replace Your Heat Pump?
Heat pumps work year-round, so they tend to wear out sooner than a furnace that only runs in winter. Most last somewhere around 10 to 15 years in Georgia, depending on maintenance. Replacement starts to make sense when:
- The heat pump is past 12 to 15 years old and needs a major repair.
- The compressor fails outside of warranty.
- It uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced in the U.S.
- Your bills keep rising, and the system still can’t keep the house comfortable.
New heat pumps are a big step up from older ones. Since 2023, new split-system heat pumps sold here have had to meet federal minimum efficiency standards of 14.3 SEER2 for cooling and 7.5 HSPF2 for heating. If replacement is the better call, see our heat pump installation options.
Keep Your Heat Pump Ready for Winter
Because a heat pump runs in both seasons, it benefits from a tune-up in the spring and again in the fall. A fall visit checks the refrigerant charge, defrost controls, reversing valve, electrical parts, and backup heat before you need them. Our Preventative Maintenance Agreement covers both tune-ups and adds priority scheduling and 15% off parts.
Heat Pump Repair FAQs
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air in heating mode?
If it lasts a few minutes, the system is probably in a defrost cycle. If it lasts longer, the cause is often a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant, a failed outdoor fan,n or a thermostat set to the wrong mode.
Is it bad for my heat pump to run all the time in cold weather?
On very cold days, long run times are normal. On mild days, a heat pump that never shuts off usually has a problem, such as low refrigerant or restricted airflow.
How long do heat pumps last in Georgia?
Most last around 10 to 15 years. Regular maintenance and fixing small problems early help a heat pump reach the high end of that range.
Do you repair all heat pump brands?
Yes. We repair all major brands, including Carrier, Trane, Bryant, American Standard, and Goodman.
Schedule Heat Pump Repair in Athens, GA
Blount Heating and Cooling repairs and installs heat pumps in Athens, Bogart, Watkinsville, Statham, Winder, and across Northeast Georgia. We’re a family-owned company with NATE- and EPA-certified technicians, and we always look at repair before replacement. Request service online or call (706) 548-6933.