Should My Heat Pump Run Constantly in Woodbridge, VA?

A heat pump that doesn’t work at all presents an obvious problem, but one that won’t stop working can be just as bad. The discomfort and high energy bills that an always-running heat pump can cause make it crucial to address the issue right away. Here’s some information for homeowners in Woodbridge, VA, about why their heat pump is running continuously.

Reversing Valve Is Broken

The reversing valve enables heat pumps to switch between heating and cooling modes. If you reverse the direction of the refrigerant that flows through the system, it changes the place in which the refrigerant will unload its heat after condensation.

But if the temperature in your home justifies the heat pump going into heating mode when it had previously been in cooling mode, a broken reversing valve can cause the system to run without end. Your thermostat will only tell your system to stop working once temperatures reach their appointed level. If you need heat, but your heat pump is stuck in cooling mode, it may just run forever.

The only solution is to either repair or replace the reversing valve. An HVAC service technician can do that for you.

Refrigerant Leak

Without enough refrigerant, your system can’t work properly. A refrigerant leak will decrease the heat pump’s ability to transfer heat quickly and in sufficient quantities, possibly causing it to run without stopping. An HVAC service technician can replace any refrigerant that your system has lost during a routine maintenance. appointment.

Heat Pump Is Too Small

Your heat pump may actually be too small for your home. If so, it’ll likely have to work constantly to create the temperatures that you need. In this case, the only solution is to get a larger system and make sure that the installation team performs an accurate manual J load calculation before getting to work.

A constantly running HVAC system is a problem, but we can easily fix it. Call Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning today for professional HVAC services around Woodbridge, VA.

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