Why Won’t My Heat Pump Stay On in Tallahassee, FL?

When your heat pump refuses to stay on long enough to complete a cycle, we call that behavior “short cycling.” It impacts your heat pump’s performance and your ability to stay comfortable in Tallahassee, FL, this winter. Let’s review a few explanations for why your heat pump may begin short cycling.

Dirty Filters

To be effective, your heat pump must move air through its interior and push it into your home. However, if too much debris accumulates on your system’s filter, airflow will diminish significantly.

As a result, less treated air will move into your home, which means that your thermostat won’t notice as much of a change in your home’s indoor temperature. The thermostat may then force your heat pump to work harder, which may cause enough overheating to shut the system down. As this process repeats, it’ll look like short cycling.

To prevent this, aim to replace your heat pump’s filter every 30-90 days. Annual maintenance can also help remove other debris restricting airflow.

Refrigerant Leak

Your heat pump uses refrigerant to remove heat from the air in one area and deposit that heat into another area. If any of it leaks out, the system won’t be able to adequately perform this function, which may cause it to stop its cycles too early.

Refrigerant is highly toxic. Always leave tasks like stopping leaks and replacing lost refrigerant to trained professionals.

Improper Installation

To do its work optimally, your HVAC system must be the correct size for your home. If your installation team performs its calculations incorrectly, you may end up with a heat pump that’s either too large or too small. Systems that are too large are especially prone to short cycling.

Short cycling can upend your plans to enjoy a cozy winter. As soon as you notice this happening to your heat pump, call Central Heating Consultants in Tallahassee, FL, and ask for our heating repair services.

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