Why Does My Heat Pump Warm My Home in Cooling Mode?

Your heat pump should be a powerful tool for keeping your Santa Fe, TX, home cool this summer. It can be extremely confusing and frustrating to see the system act contrary to its purpose and warm your home instead. Here are a few reasons your heat pump may have started blowing hot air while in cooling mode:

Reversing Valve Malfunctions

The purpose of the reversing valve is to change the direction in which refrigerant moves through your heat pump. If refrigerant moves in such a way that it evaporates indoors and condenses outdoors, the system is in cooling mode. If refrigerant evaporates outdoors and condenses indoors, the system is in heating mode.

Unfortunately, a mechanical malfunction can freeze the valve in its heating position when the system should be in cooling mode. This causes warm air to flow into your home at an inappropriate time. An accumulation of debris may also prevent the valve from changing positions. Luckily, after either a quick tuneup or a round of repairs, HVAC service technicians can take care of this problem.

Heat Pump Refrigerant Leaks

As refrigerant condenses, evaporates and travels through your system, it can move heat from one place to another, thus making it possible to keep your home cool. However, refrigerant leaks can significantly diminish your system’s ability to do this kind of work. In some cases, your heat pump may be able to expel only warm air, even in cooling mode.

Thermostat Issues

Another possible explanation for this troubling behavior may have no direct connection to your heat pump at all. Your thermostat is responsible for controlling both when and for how long your heat pump either cools or heats your home. If it tells your system to produce warm air instead of cold, service technicians will need to examine and fix it.

Your continued comfort in Santa Fe, TX, depends on making sure that your heat pump behaves properly. The foregoing issues may lead to further difficulties that will cause your system to completely fail. To set things right, call Roberts Air, LLC and sign up for our air conditioning services.

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