Heat Pump in Heat Mode But Blowing Cool Air – Causes & Fixes

While Sacramento doesn’t get nearly as cold as the rest of the country, winters can still be fairly chilly. Once temperatures start to drop, you can’t afford to have your heat pump not heating. If you have your heat pump in heat mode and no warm air is coming out, it’s time to call for professional help.

At Fox Family Heating & Air Conditioning, we have years of experience working with heat pumps in Sacramento. If your heat pump is blowing cold air, reach out to our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) experts for professional help.

Is Cool Air From a Heat Pump Normal?

If you’re used to a furnace, you may notice that heat pumps seem to blow colder air. This is because a typical heat pump produces air that is around 85°F to 95°F. In comparison, furnaces generally produce air that is around 120°F.

Rather than produce higher temperatures, heat pumps achieve the same room temperature by running for longer periods of time. When you feel the heat pump’s airflow, it may even feel like the same as the room’s temperature.

To troubleshoot, make sure your heat pump is switched to “heat” mode. Then, pay attention to your thermostat reading. If your home is staying at the appropriate temperature, your heat pump is likely operating normally.

Common Causes of a Heat Pump Blowing Cool Air

Why is my heat pump blowing cold air? If you are dealing with a heat pump not heating, one of the following issues is likely at fault.

Defrost Mode

Unlike furnaces, heat pumps have a defrost option. If the indoor humidity level is too high, the heat pump can reverse its operation. Until this mode switches off, you may notice the heat pump blowing cold air indoors and steam rising from the outdoor unit. Both of these signs are perfectly normal.

Wrong Thermostat Setting

One of the most common reasons for a lack of warm air is that the heat pump is stuck in cooling mode. To troubleshoot, check your thermostat to ensure it isn’t set to “cool” mode. You should also make sure that “emergency heat” hasn’t been disabled.

Dirty Air Filter

If the air filter is clogged, it can restrict the amount of airflow that gets into your heat pump. As a result, the air coming out of your vents may feel unusually cold.

Outdoor Unit Blocked or Frozen

You can experience heat pump issues in winter if snow, ice, or debris is clogging your outdoor unit. Once the unit is blocked or frozen, it will quickly lose its capacity to heat your home.

Low Refrigerant Charge

Unlike furnaces, heat pumps don’t produce heat to warm up your home. Instead, the system uses refrigerant to absorb and carry heat from outside. Even when the outdoor temperature is very low, the heat pump can still absorb the low level of heat in your home and bring it inside.

To do this, the heat pump relies on refrigerant. If your refrigerant levels are low, the heat pump won’t transfer heat efficiently. During a heat pump maintenance appointment, an HVAC technician can check your refrigerant levels and recharge them as needed.

Reversing Valve Failure

If the reversing valve has failed, your unit won’t be able to switch between its heating and cooling modes. This valve must be replaced in order for your heat pump to work properly all year long.

Faulty Sensors or Thermostat Issues

When a sensor is not working right, it can’t sense the air temperature and relay information to your thermostat. Similarly, thermostat problems prevent the thermostat from triggering your heat pump to turn on. While you can change the thermostat batteries on your own, thermostat and sensor replacements should generally be left to the professionals.

Ductwork Leakage

If your ductwork has gaps and pinpoint holes, air can get into your attic and garage. As a result, the inside of your home may feel cooler. You’ll also experience higher-than-normal energy bills until the ductwork is repaired.

DIY Checks You Can Safely Try

When you’re dealing with a heat pump blowing cold air, there are a few simple heat pump troubleshooting tips you can use to remedy the problem. If these tips don’t work, you should schedule heat pump repairs and get professional help.

• Check the thermostat to see if it is set to “heat” mode.
• Raise the set temperature by 2 to 3 degrees to see if the unit kicks on.
• Clean or replace your air filter.
• Remove debris and snow from around your outdoor unit.
• See if the outdoor unit is currently operating in defrost mode.
• Check the outdoor unit for ice buildup. Never try chipping the ice off because this can hurt your heat pump.
• Open the vents and registers in each room.

For your safety, you should never do any work that involves opening panels, dealing with electrical components, or recharging refrigerants. Only licensed HVAC technicians should handle these tasks.

When To Call a Professional HVAC Technician

If your heat pump is blowing room temperature air, it’s likely time to have your unit serviced. Give us a call if you experience any of the following symptoms.

• The heat pump continues to blow cold air for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Ice buildup on the outdoor unit isn’t melting on its own.
• You noticed short cycling, burning smells, or rattling noises.
• The outdoor fan isn’t running.
• The unit keeps switching between different modes.
• The thermostat isn’t responding or showing any error codes.
• You have tried the previous troubleshooting steps, and nothing has helped.

Why Heat Pumps Struggle in Cold Weather

Sacramento is a good location for heat pumps because of the area’s mild winters. However, even with modern heat pumps, some performance can be lost as the temperatures drop. In particular, older units often struggle with Sacramento’s cold winter mornings.

Fortunately, you can avoid performance problems and unexpected breakdowns through timely maintenance. In general, we recommend having a heating tune-up performed each fall before the weather cools significantly.

Prevent Future Heating Problems

To keep your heat pump from having a problem in the future, remember to use the following preventative maintenance tips.

• Replace your filters every 30 to 90 days, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Clear space around the outdoor unit.
• Schedule an annual heat pump tune-up each fall.
• Pay attention to unexplained spikes on your energy bill.
• Never block your home’s vents or ducts.

Why Homeowners in Rancho Cordova Trust Fox Family Heating & Air Conditioning

When a heat pump is not heating, residents trust Fox Family to help. Homeowners turn to us for a few key reasons.

• Family-Owned Company: Our family-owned business is locally based in Sacramento.
• Licensed Technicians: All of our HVAC technicians are licensed and certified.
• Transparency: We offer transparent pricing and honest diagnosis help.
• No-Pressure Recommendations: Once we recommend the best course of action, the next step is up to you.
• Top-Rated Support: Over the years, we’ve received thousands of 5-star reviews.
• Fast Services: When you’re struggling with no heat, you can count on us to respond quickly.

Prepare Your Home for Winter

Still shivering in the cold? If your heat pump is blowing cold air, call Fox Family Heating & Air Conditioning today for expert heat pump repairs.