Heat Pump Repair: Cost, Common Issues, Maintenance

When you buy a new heat pump, you expect it to work efficiently for the next 15 to 20 years, or more. Over that time, it’ll inevitably need repair work. In fact, the right service, maintenance, and repair will help it keep running that long and is key to getting the savings, performance, and efficiency from a heat pump for years. 

Here’s more about the tasks you can safely do, when to call a professional, what the estimated costs of common repairs are, and more about keeping your heat pump working well.

How to Get a Heat Pump Repaired

You should always get a professional technician to repair or do any service on a heat pump. Working on a heat pump combines electrical, mechanical, and chemical work which can lead to hazardous and expensive mistakes or accidents. 

Doing electrical work or work with refrigerants without the right expertise, licensing, and equipment is not safe. Unauthorized DIY work on a system can also void a warranty or service agreement, making everything, including future repairs, more expensive. Plus, you want a repair to return your system to full efficiency so you’re getting the most, and saving the most, from your heat pump.

So, how do you find the right heat pump repair service? You can start with searching online (of course). Sites with customer reviews and ratings, like the Better Business Bureau, can be more useful. 

Another tip is to ask a neighbor. You can get advice about someone or a company you’ll know is local and already is doing a good job. It also pays to get multiple quotes and check on licensing and certification.

Common Heat Pump Repairs

When you’re not getting cool air in July, or warm air in January, or you’re hearing scary noises from your heat pump, it’s time to call a professional. Here are some common problems you might face with your system. 

• Clicking capacitor: A capacitor starts the motor for the fans and compressor. If your heat pump is clicking and won’t turn on or struggles to turn on, it could need a new capacitor. 
• Refrigerant: Refrigerant leaks are rare in present-day heat pumps, but can still happen. A professional is required for the handling, repair, and recharging of refrigerant in a heat pump.
• Frozen coils: A frozen coil can happen in the winter on the exterior coil and, perhaps surprisingly, in the summer with the indoor coil. This can mean an airflow problem, a refrigerant leak, or a defrost cycle not working.
• Reversing valve: If you’re getting warm air in the summer or cool air in the winter, it could be a stuck or broken reversing valve. 
• Compressor catastrophe: A failing or dead compressor is a very significant repair. Often, when a compressor blows, it is worth it to consider doing the repair versus replacing the entire unit.

Heat Pump Repair Costs

The cost of heat pump repairs varies quite a bit. It depends on labor costs in your area, if it’s an emergency job, and if the job requires replacement parts. The range can go from about $100 all the way to amounts that make buying a new heat pump make more sense. 

Here are some of the common repairs you’ll see with a heat pump and a general range of the repair cost. 

Heat Pump Maintenance

While heat pump repairs and installation are jobs for the pros, some heat pump maintenance jobs are fine as DIY tasks. Good maintenance, like changing filters, mean less repairs over the years and a longer life for your system. 

• Replace or clean air filters: HVAC air filters should be replaced or cleaned, as recommended, every 1-3 months. Keeping good, clean airflow keeps the whole system running as it’s designed to. Dirty filters make a heat pump run longer and harder and will hurt your indoor air quality which can mean health and safety concerns.
• Keep the outdoor unit clear: The exterior unit also needs good, clean airflow. There should be about two feet of space around a unit free of grass, shrubs, mulch, standing water, debris, or snow and ice, so it’s smart to check this regularly.
• Clean the coils: Heat pump coils need to be cleaned regularly to work efficiently. This may be a DIY or a professional job. If you DIY it, cut the power to the system at your electrical panel, then vacuum the coils with a soft brush, then follow the instructions for a coil-specific cleaner. 
• Keep condensate lines clean: A heat pump has to remove condensation when it is cooling an indoor space. Make sure the drain line is clear. 
• Keep vents and ducts clear: All of the ducts and vents throughout the house need to remain clear. Checking these areas are free of debris and don’t have a blanket or clothing accidentally covering them helps the whole system work efficiently.

If heat pump repair is a concern, a heat pump lease can provide some peace of mind. Regular service and repair is included in the cost of the lease. When you lease a heat pump, your predictable monthly payments cover installation, service, and repair for the lifetime of the agreement. Since you don’t own the heat pump, if repairs are needed, you’re not on the hook.

If you’re interested in looking at your options, and seeing estimates specific to your property, you can use our HVAC advisor or home energy advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you repair a heat pump yourself?

Largely, the answer is no. Any work with electrical components or chemicals, such as repairing a refrigerant leak, needs to be done by a licensed technician. It’s highly recommended to have a professional work on a heat pump for better efficiency, safety, long-term results, savings, and keeping a warranty or contract valid. 

How much does heat pump repair cost?

Heat pump repair jobs have a wide range of costs depending on the component in need of repair, local labor costs, if you have a warranty or service plan, and if the repair requires buying and putting in new parts. Broadly speaking, repairs can cost $100 and up. 

Does a heat pump lease include maintenance and repair?

A heat pump lease with Palmetto LightReach includes maintenance, scheduled service, and repairs.