Why Won’t My Heat Pump in Kinston, NC, Stay On?!

To heat your home in Kinston, NC, your heat pump should run an average of 10 to 15 minutes. A shorter duration can signify trouble. This is especially true if the system doesn’t reach your set point. Heat pumps that don’t stay on may have minor issues like a clogged filter or major problems like a refrigerant leak.

Clogged Air Filter

You need to replace your filter every one to three months, as the dirt and debris it collects eventually inhibits air circulation. As a result, the system will overheat and prematurely shut down. With yearly professional maintenance, you won’t need to worry so much about this possibility.

Problems With the Thermostat

Since your thermostat is the device that tells the heat pump when to shut down, you need to check to see if it’s reading the indoor temperature correctly. If its readings are higher, the system will shut down before your house feels warm. All you’ll need to do is have a professional calibrate the sensors inside the thermostat.

Leak in the Refrigerant Line

Overheating will cause heat pumps to short cycle. One common cause of overheating is low refrigerant. The piping that carries this important chemical will corrode over time. People often learn about a refrigerant leak when they hear the hissing or whistling noise it makes.

Oversized Heat Pump

Lastly, your short-cycling heat pump may just be too large for your home. Heat pumps have a specific capacity that suits them only for certain sizes of homes, but your system’s installer may have failed to consider this. Unfortunately, only a total system replacement will solve this problem.

Call J & J Mechanical, Inc. at the first sign of short cycling. We’ll send a NATE-certified service technician to your home in Kinston, NC, to perform the heat pump repair you need. We’re available 24/7 in case of emergencies, too.

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