Why Does My Heat Pump Turn On and Off Frequently?

February 20, 2022

To heat your home in Orange Park, FL, your heat pump only needs to cycle two or three times an hour. If it turns on and off more frequently, you have what’s called a short-cycling system. Short-cycling wears down a heat pump and raises the energy bills. Therefore, you’ll want to find out its cause and address it. Here are some possibilities:

Oversized Unit

Maybe you purchased your heat pump recently and the service technicians who installed it made a miscalculation as to what size unit you need. When it comes to heating, bigger doesn’t mean better. Heat pumps will heat a home too quickly if they’re designed for a larger space, leading to multiple short cycles.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

Bad wiring can lead the thermostat to turn your furnace on at unnecessary times. Other times, the thermostat’s location (near a vent or an electrical appliance) can cause it to misread the temperature. Know that a professional tuneup will include a thermostat calibration.

Leaking Refrigerant

Heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb heat from outside and transfer it indoors. Refrigerant line can leak, though, interfering with the process just enough so that the heat pump keeps turning on and off, but without effectively heating the home. Look out for reduced airflow and for a hissing sound, among other warning signs.

Overheating System

If you’ve neglected to change the air filter, then the resulting lack of airflow may be causing your heat pump to overheat. This will inevitably lead to shorter cycles.

100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee

Many Orange Park, FL, residents turn to our family-owned company for heat pump services, and they always come away satisfied. Call Cool Connections, Inc. today, and we’ll send out a NATE-certified service technician to your home for a consultation. We’re happy to help you maximize comfort.

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