One of the best things about heat pumps is that they can both heat and cool your Knoxville, TN, home. Even so, it can be perplexing if your heat pump blows cool air while in heating mode. Here are three common heat pump issues that could cause this problem.
1. A Reversing Valve Problem
Mechanically, heat pumps aren’t much different from conventional air conditioners. In cooling mode, they use refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in your home and carry it outside. They do the opposite in heating mode, capturing heat energy outdoors to bring it indoors.
A reversing valve allows a heat pump to reverse its operation, as it changes the direction that refrigerant flows through the system. If your reversing valve gets stuck or breaks, your system might blow cool air in heating mode.
2. A Thermostat Issue
Your heat pump depends on your thermostat to tell it when to switch between heating and cooling modes. If your thermostat malfunctions, it may cause your heat pump to blow cool air in heating mode. Or it may result from a loose wiring connection.
3. A Refrigerant Leak
Your heat pump uses refrigerant to move heat from place to place. If your heat pump develops a refrigerant leak, it will suffer reduced performance. Eventually, it could fail to produce heat, leading to cool air in heating mode.
A refrigerant leak isn’t something you can fix yourself. Only a qualified HVAC technician is legally allowed to handle refrigerant and repair a leaking refrigerant line. They will also recharge your refrigerant appropriately after fixing the leak.
Most issues that cause heat pumps to blow cool air in heating mode require professional attention. Contact 1st Choice Heating and Air for heat pump services in Knoxville, TN, today!
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