Understanding Your Heat Pump
Unlike an electric heater or wood burner, your heat pump does not generate heat itself. Instead, it transfers heat from one location to another. In heating mode, the outdoor unit extracts heat energy from the surrounding air and uses refrigerant as the medium for heat transfer. The heated refrigerant is circulated through copper pipes to the indoor unit, and this heated energy is transferred to the room where the heat pump is located. During cooling mode, the indoor unit’s heat exchanger functions to absorb heat energy from the indoor room air, employing refrigerant as the medium for heat transfer to cool the room air. Subsequently, the refrigerant is drawn back to the outdoor unit through copper pipes, where the heat energy is expelled into the surrounding outdoor air via the outdoor unit’s heat exchanger.
These processes work remarkably well, making heat pumps the most efficient and cost-effective in staying warm in winter and cool in summer. However, a lack of maintenance is just one issue preventing heat pumps from delivering optimum performance. A well-maintained unit consumes 10-35% less energy than a non-serviced unit. It also helps to increase the unit’s lifespan, so looking after the device is well worth it. In this quick guide, we’ll discuss common heat pump problems and how you can resolve them.
Identifying Heat Pumps Common Issues
The most common problems encountered with heat pumps are insufficient heating or cooling, poor airflow, unusual noises and odours, and water leaking from the heat pump’s indoor unit. You can resolve some issues yourself, while others require professional assistance from Fonko’s qualified technicians. We maintain and service heat pumps in Auckland and Wellington and can get your heat pump back to its best in no time. Prompt attention is vital as you don’t want to be without your heat pump when the weather turns icy cold or boiling hot. In New Zealand’s variable weather conditions, predicting when those extremes will occur is increasingly difficult.
Troubleshooting Tips for Kiwi Homeowners and Tenants
Have you noticed a problem but are not sure how to fix it? In many cases, the resolution is as simple as cleaning a filter or removing obstacles out of the way of the indoor and outdoor units.
We recommend you regularly check and replace air filters within the indoor unit. This is particularly important in New Zealand, where pollen, dust, and other allergens are common. Clogged and dirty filters are the leading causes of the most frequent heat pump issues, such as insufficient heating and cooling and poor airflow. Blocked filters limit airflow over the coils, which restricts the amount of heated airflow from the heat pump. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, you can easily remove and clean the filters. You may wish to replace the filters if your heat pump is relatively old. The difference in performance will be immediately noticeable.
Troubleshooting Unusual Noises from Your Heat Pump
The primary reasons behind unusual noises from your heat pump often involve closed vents or loose components. Inspect the exterior of your heat pump to ensure that no parts, like screws, have come loose. Verify that the air vents are open and operational before testing the system again. Additionally, inspect the outdoor unit for any obstructions, such as leaves or grass near the vents. If the issue persists despite checking for blockages or loose items, it’s advisable to contact a heat pump specialist for further investigation.
Addressing Odours from Your Heat Pump
If you detect an odour emanating from your unit, begin by inspecting the cleanliness of your return air filters. We recommend removing and cleaning them if they are dirty to assess if this resolves the issue. Consider the placement of your unit as well. Your heat pump or air conditioner pulls in air from its surroundings, which means that odours such as cooking smells may arise if the unit is installed in or near a kitchen. Another potential cause of odours is the moisture that accumulates on the indoor coil, which can absorb smells from the surrounding area. If this moisture doesn’t drain properly and remains in the drain tray for an extended period, it may start to produce an odour.
Improving Airflow for Enhanced Heat Pump Performance
Insufficient airflow around the outdoor and indoor units is also the cause of poor performance in many heat pumps, especially when the device fails to deliver warm air into the room. In the case of the outdoor unit, New Zealand’s high rainfall and fast-growing vegetation often means that plant matter is stopping the air’s heat energy from getting into the unit, which means the heat pump won’t work. Outdoor units are often “out of sight, out of mind”, but we recommend you regularly clear vegetation) or anything else such as garden furniture) away from the unit. And never attempt to hide your unit behind a screen or shrub – that’s highly counter-productive.
Dealing with Water Leaks from Your Heat Pump
Watching water leak from the indoor unit might be alarming, but the cause is usually straightforward. Heat pumps inherently gather moisture from the air and discharge it via a condensate drain system. However, this system can gradually become obstructed over time by accumulated dirt, algae, or debris. When blockages occur, water accumulation within the heat pump can lead to leaks from various points, including the indoor unit. Regular professional checks of the condensate drain line, especially in humid regions like Auckland and wet areas like Wellington, are highly recommended.
When to Call a Professional
If those easy fixes don’t resolve the issue, the problem is more complex. This requires professional heat pump technicians in Auckland and Wellington to come and inspect the device. For example, New Zealand’s stringent electrical regulations insist that only qualified experts should attend to problems in this area. Refrigerant leaks and the ensuing environmental concerns also require attention from heat pump experts, while compressor failure needs to be adequately rectified to ensure compliance with warranty and safety standards. And, of course, system malfunctions, particularly in extreme weather conditions, can only be repaired by heat pump technicians.
We estimate that 90% of all heat pump failures are due to a neglected cleaning and maintenance schedule. Prevention is better than cure, so for heat pump maintenance in Auckland and Wellington, contact Fonko. We’re also the first to call for professional assistance in areas beyond your expertise. Through regular maintenance and the best service, your heat pump will continue working at its best for many years.