Why Isn’t My Heat Pump Heating My Home?

Many homeowners throughout the Montgomery, AL, area choose heat pumps because they provide energy-efficient heating during the winter months. Our mostly mild winter temperatures facilitate efficient heat pump operation throughout most of the heating season, though there are some days you may notice your heat pump isn’t heating well enough.

In our most recent blog, the technicians at Hans Heating and Air discuss reasons why a heat pump fails to properly heat your home and what to do to keep your household comfortable at all times. Turn to for expert heat pump installation, repair, and maintenance services you can trust.

How Do Heat Pumps Heat?

As you know, a heat pump can be used for both indoor heating and air conditioning. A heat pump’s heating process basically runs in reverse of its cooling process. Both heating and cooling involve heat transfer, but they differ by which source heat is transferred to and from. For home heating, the heat pump pulls heat from the air outside (air source heat pump system) or the ground (geothermal heat pump system) and adds that heat energy to warm the air inside.

• Coils in the outdoor unit absorb heat from surrounding air.
• Refrigerant travels from the outdoor coils to the indoor coils, where heat is given off to the air that circulates through the equipment.
• Warm air is pushed through the ducts by the system’s blower fan into living areas.

Is Your Heat Pump Not Heating? Here’s Why…

If your heat pump isn’t heating your home in the wintertime, a mechanical issue could be to blame – or, the outside temperature could be the reason. When outdoor temperatures dip below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, some air source heat pumps struggle to perform efficient heating. They may not be able to accommodate the home’s heating demand, or if they do, they consume excess energy to get the job done.

Once temperatures drop to around 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, an air source heat pump’s efficiency is quite low and it’s preferable to use backup heating sources both for reliability and to keep heating costs under control. If you have a geothermal system, you won’t have to worry about your heat pump not providing heat when outdoor temperatures are below freezing, as the soil below ground remains at a constant temperature all the time – around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, providing ample heat energy for warming up your home.

Other Reasons Why a Heat Pump Doesn’t Heat

If temperatures are warm enough but your heat pump is providing adequate heat, it may be due to:

• A clogged air filter.
• Closed vents throughout the home.
• Debris blocking the outdoor unit.
• Ice buildup on the outside unit.
• Slipped or broken blower motor belt.

Backup Heating Systems for Your Montgomery Home

When your heat pump stops heating your home properly, a backup heater is a real lifesaver! The purpose of a backup heating system is to take over space heating duties when temperatures fall to the point where your heat pump cannot efficiently heat your home.

Backup heating systems include electric heat strips and gas furnaces. Electric heat strips are installed to work with the heat pump to supplement the heat it delivers to your home. A gas furnace would run instead of your heat pump, providing more energy-efficient heating during periods of extreme cold. 

When you have a backup heating system installed, your system should automatically detect when your heat pump isn’t heating your home efficiently. The system will start the backup heating system and also turn it off once conditions improve and the heat pump can once again function efficiently. Another benefit of backup heating is that you have a secondary heating system in place that can be used if your heat pump ever suffers a breakdown.

Let Hans Solve Your Heat Pump Problems

Whether your heat pump isn’t heating or there’s another system performance issue, Hans Heating and Air is here to help. Contact us online or call us for fast and reliable heat pump repair service in Montgomery, AL, and the surrounding areas.