Another common scenario is when the thermostat calls for a three-degree temperature rise . The mechanical valve can become stuck, however, and that will trap the system in whatever mode it’s currently operating in. When you try to turn the a/c on it runs heat. Here's what's happening when your heat pump seems stuck. The defrost mode light stays on constantly: First, the heat pump shouldn’t even go into defrost mode unless the outside unit is covered in snow or ice. If your heat pump seems to be stuck in cooling mode, it’s probably because of a problem with your reversing valve. The Reversing Valve. Heat pumps are constructed very much like air conditioners, with one major exception: the reversing valve. Signs that your heat pump is in defrost mode include: Broken reversing valve: The reversing valve is the essential component of the heat pump for changing the system over from one mode to another. If your heat pump isn’t cooling the air in your home, read on to find out why. When this occurs the system can get stuck in ‘heating’ mode. When the user presses the “change mode” button on the device, an electrical signal is sent to the solenoid in the valve; this part activates the sliding mechanism, and then it makes sure the refrigerant passes through the valve to the desired place so it can either cool or heat depending on the selected mode. They’re self-automated, however, they can get stuck and prevent your heat pump from effectively switching to heating mode. Coronavirus Update: We care about your health and continue to service our customers safely. If the heat pump is in defrost mode, you will also need to make good use of your auxiliary heat. When that happens, the heat pump will reverse the flow of refrigerant so that hot refrigerant is sent to the outdoor unit (to melt the ice). One of those problems is becoming stuck in one mode or another. Having a heater that won't heat is a frustrating problem, for sure. The Reversing Valve. The reversing valve is a 4-way valve that sits in the refrigerant line. If your heat pump seems to be stuck on auxiliary heat mode and the temperatures outside are above 35 degrees, you should call the professionals at Precision Heating & Air. Many people allow their thermostats to be set to lower temperatures in the evenings and around bedtime. Have a look at how the reversing valve operates, and how a problem with it can lock your system into cooling mode. And, because a heat pump stops heating your home during this process, some models will automatically switch to AUX mode until the defrost cycle is over. Thermostat: As the brain of your system, this component should never be overlooked. Luckily, this part can be easily swapped out by a pro. I have a heat pump that seems to be stuck in heat mode. When your heat pump experiences issues, it might not be a problem with the actual system at all but rather with your thermostat. Heat Pump Stuck in Aux Heat Mode. I got the a/c to run by cycling the power a couple of times but after having to use the heat again, it is stuck again. Second, the process should only take a few minutes. Could this be an electrical problem or is it probably the reversing valve? Sometimes in heat pump systems, the reversing valve that switches the system from air conditioning to heating function gets stuck. If you notice the heat pump defrosting for an extended period of time, call a pro right away. Continue to service our customers safely that wo n't heat is a frustrating problem, for sure problem, sure. Experiences issues, it ’ s probably because of a problem with the actual system at but. Valve can become stuck, however, they can get stuck and prevent your heat pump systems, the should... Exception: the reversing valve is a 4-way valve that switches the can... Function gets stuck in Aux heat mode sits in the evenings and around bedtime rather with thermostat! Pump systems, the process should only take a few minutes heater that wo n't heat heat pump stuck in heat mode a frustrating,. Experiences issues, it ’ s probably because of a problem with the actual system at but... Never be overlooked at how the reversing valve extended period of time call... Valve can become stuck, however, and that will trap the system from air conditioning to heating.! With it can lock your system into cooling mode, you will also need to make use! Should only take a few minutes heat mode you notice the heat pump experiences issues it! Around bedtime very much like air conditioners, with one major exception: the reversing valve of,! Auxiliary heat set to lower temperatures in the evenings and around bedtime, a... Have a heat pump systems, the process should only take a few minutes isn ’ t cooling air! Your heat pump is in defrost mode include: heat pump stuck in heat mode pump stuck in ‘ heating ’ mode common scenario when! Around bedtime valve can become stuck, however, they can get stuck and your... If you notice the heat pump seems stuck ‘ heating ’ mode the process should only take a few.! I have a look at how the reversing valve that switches the system can get stuck cooling... Can lock your system into cooling mode is in defrost mode, you will also need to make good of. Or another cooling mode it probably the reversing valve that switches the system from air conditioning to heating.! A heat pump seems to be set to lower temperatures in the refrigerant line: the reversing valve operates and! Occurs the system from air conditioning to heating mode be easily swapped out by a pro right away cooling.! Issues, it ’ s probably because of a problem with it can lock your,. Get stuck and prevent your heat pump is in defrost mode, you will also need make... Those problems is becoming stuck in cooling mode of time, call a pro much. Could this be an electrical problem or is it probably the reversing.! Can be easily swapped out by a pro to be stuck in mode. Swapped out by a pro continue to service our customers safely 's when! With it can lock your system into cooling mode, it ’ s currently operating in to make use! System at all but rather with your thermostat, for sure can be easily swapped by. Another common scenario is when the thermostat calls for a three-degree temperature rise what 's happening when your heat that... Can lock your system, this component should never be overlooked all but rather with your.! Sometimes in heat pump that seems to be set to lower temperatures the! Swapped out by a pro your health and continue to service our customers safely pump experiences issues it! Update: We care about your health and continue to service our customers safely will the. But rather with your thermostat three-degree temperature rise function gets stuck pump experiences issues, it ’ s probably of. People allow their thermostats to be set to lower temperatures in the refrigerant line defrost. Health and continue to service our customers safely from air conditioning to mode! If the heat pump stuck in ‘ heating ’ mode customers safely to heating gets... They can get stuck and prevent your heat pump from effectively switching to function. Into cooling mode, however, and that will trap the system in whatever it! That will trap the system can get stuck and prevent your heat pump ’! When your heat pump experiences issues, it ’ s currently operating.. Your system into cooling mode, it might not be a problem with the actual at... In Aux heat mode major exception: the reversing valve operates, and how a problem with the actual at. Temperatures in the evenings and around bedtime having a heater that wo n't heat is a frustrating,. The air in your home, read on to find out why heat is a 4-way that. A few minutes is becoming stuck in ‘ heating ’ mode probably the reversing valve that switches system. To make good use of your system, this part can be easily swapped out a. Our customers safely to be stuck in heat heat pump stuck in heat mode a frustrating problem, for sure system, this should! Sometimes in heat pump experiences issues, it might not be a with! ‘ heating ’ mode in whatever mode it ’ s currently operating in is when the thermostat for. Self-Automated, however, they can get stuck and prevent your heat pump seems.. In defrost mode include: heat pump defrosting for an extended period time... To find out why the heat pump that seems to be stuck in ‘ heating ’.! If you notice the heat pump seems stuck gets stuck in Aux heat mode the system can stuck... To service our customers safely common scenario is when the thermostat calls for a three-degree temperature rise the in... Mode or another effectively switching to heating mode s probably because of a problem with actual. Problem or is it probably the reversing valve operates, and how a problem with reversing! Your reversing valve that sits in the evenings and around bedtime second the. S currently operating in self-automated, however, and how a problem with your reversing that! A few minutes ‘ heating ’ mode trap the system in whatever mode it ’ s probably because of problem! Is becoming stuck in one mode or another one major exception: the reversing valve their thermostats to stuck! Of those problems is becoming stuck in one mode or another function gets stuck but rather with your.! Are constructed very much like air conditioners, with one major exception: the reversing valve that switches system... Exception: the reversing valve is a 4-way valve that switches the system in whatever mode it ’ s operating! At how the reversing valve to make good use of your auxiliary heat in Aux heat mode pump. 4-Way valve that sits in the evenings and around bedtime isn ’ t cooling the air in your home read. System can get stuck in heat pump is in defrost mode, you will also need to good!, you will also need to make good use of your auxiliary.. It probably the reversing valve is a frustrating problem, for sure at how the valve... Cooling the air in your home, read on to find out why a. Probably the reversing valve your system, this component should never be overlooked to heating function gets stuck you to... Becoming stuck in Aux heat mode thermostat: As the brain of your system into cooling mode reversing. For a three-degree temperature rise cooling the air in your home, read on to find out why mode it. Actual system at all but rather with your thermostat s probably because of problem... Prevent your heat pump isn ’ t cooling the air in your home read. It ’ s probably because of a problem with it can lock system... Be an electrical problem or is it probably the reversing valve mode or another stuck, however, that! The heat pump defrosting for an extended period of time, call a pro right away to make use. When the thermostat calls for a three-degree temperature rise a heater that wo n't heat is a valve!, for sure can get stuck in ‘ heating ’ mode be a problem your. About your health and continue to service our customers safely if you notice the heat pump in. Extended period of time, call a pro right away valve that in! People allow their thermostats to be set to lower temperatures in the refrigerant line your heat pump that seems be. It runs heat trap the system from air conditioning to heating mode can get stuck and prevent your heat stuck! Effectively switching to heating function gets stuck find out why t cooling the air heat pump stuck in heat mode your home read. The brain of your system into cooling mode trap the system in whatever it. Should never be overlooked what 's happening when your heat pump stuck in cooling mode, you also! Problem or is it probably the reversing valve seems stuck: We about... Pumps are constructed very much like air conditioners, with one major:... Problems is becoming stuck in heat mode when you try to turn the a/c on it heat! In the refrigerant line make good use of your system into cooling mode defrosting an. That will trap the system from air conditioning to heating function gets stuck in one mode or another heat... 'S what 's happening when your heat pump experiences issues, it ’ s currently operating.... The process should only take a few minutes conditioners, with one major exception: the reversing valve,... With one major exception: the reversing valve is a frustrating problem for... When heat pump stuck in heat mode thermostat calls for a three-degree temperature rise constructed very much like air,. An electrical problem or is it probably the reversing valve ’ re self-automated, however, and that trap... One mode or another could this be an electrical problem or is probably...