When your heat pump, a device that moves heat from one place to another to warm or cool your home. Also known as air source heat pump, it works year-round by pulling warmth from outside air—even in freezing temps—and pushing it inside. But when it starts acting up, you’re left with cold rooms and high bills. Heat pumps are efficient, but they’re not magic. They have moving parts, refrigerant lines, and electrical components that can fail—especially after 8 to 12 years of use.
One of the most common heat pump issues is when it blows cold air even when set to heat. That doesn’t always mean it’s broken. Sometimes it’s just stuck in defrost mode, a normal cycle that kicks in when ice builds up on the outdoor unit. But if the cold air lasts more than 10–15 minutes, you’ve got a real problem. It could be low refrigerant, a faulty reversing valve, or a dirty air filter choking airflow. Another frequent complaint? Loud banging or grinding noises. That’s usually a sign of a worn-out fan motor, loose parts inside the unit, or even a failing compressor—something that rarely fixes itself.
Then there’s the issue of short cycling—when the heat pump turns on and off every few minutes. That’s not efficiency, that’s stress. It’s often caused by a dirty air filter, an oversized unit, or a bad thermostat. And if your energy bills are climbing even though you’re not using it more, the problem could be insulation leaks, ductwork damage, or a failing outdoor coil. All of these are fixable, but only if you catch them early.
You don’t need to replace your heat pump the second it acts up. Many repairs—like cleaning the coils, replacing the capacitor, or resetting the defrost control—cost under £150 and bring it back to life. But if you’re hearing hissing sounds, seeing ice on the unit in summer, or getting error codes like E1 or F1 on the display, that’s your sign to call a technician. These aren’t DIY fixes. Refrigerant leaks? That’s a licensed job. Electrical faults? Dangerous if you’re not trained.
What you’ll find below are real stories from people who faced these exact problems. From a heat pump that wouldn’t turn on after a power surge, to one that kept freezing over in winter, each post breaks down what went wrong, how it was fixed, and what you can do to avoid the same mistakes. No fluff. No theory. Just what actually works when your heat pump stops behaving.
Learn the 7 clear signs your heat pump is malfunctioning-from strange noises to ice buildup and high bills. Know when to call a pro and how to prevent costly repairs.
Continue reading...