Why My Heat Pump Blows Cool Air in Heating Mode

One of a heat pump’s most attractive features is its ability to both heat and cool your home, switching between the two modes when required. But it can be an endless source of frustration if you see your heat pump malfunctioning. Here are some likely explanations for why your heat pump in Highland Park, IL, is blowing cold air while in heating mode:

Broken Reversing Valve

The reversing valve is the most distinctive heat pump component, because under normal circumstances, it’s what enables the system to shift from heating to cooling mode and back again. Thus, if your system is stuck blowing cold air while in heating mode, or vice versa, it’s highly likely that you’ve had some sort of reversing valve malfunction. Only a trained and experienced HVAC service technician has the qualifications to repair or replace this critical part.

Refrigerant Leak

In the cooler seasons, when outdoor air is naturally cold, refrigerant leaks could cause heat pumps to spurt out cold air while in heating mode. This is because refrigerant should absorb heat from air — even cold air — while in the evaporator coil and release it into the air again while in the condenser unit. Without enough refrigerant, your heat pump won’t be able to do this and will therefore fail to heat the air.

Refrigerant is a dangerous substance, so you shouldn’t try to handle it on your own. Instead, have a professional service technician do this for you in the midst of either repairs or general maintenance.

Heat Pump Thermostat Issues

Another likely reason for this unusual heat pump problem may not have an immediate connection to your heat pump at all. Instead, the ultimate source of the trouble may be your thermostat.

The trouble could relate to either the thermostat’s settings or its internal wiring. While the latter is by far the more serious of the two, we recommend leaving both problems to repair service technicians, since tinkering with thermostats while not knowing what you’re doing may only make the situation worse.

Heat pumps shouldn’t produce cold air while in heating mode, but if yours does, this is an easy fix for those who have the training. To get the heat pump in your Highland Park, IL, home working, call Carefree Comfort Inc. to ask for our heating services.

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