You may notice a few things when it’s time to repair your heat pump. The house won’t warm up on a cold morning. The outdoor unit is wrapped in ice. The thermostat keeps showing “aux heat,” or the air from your vents feels cool when it should feel warm.
When that happens, John C. Flood can help. We’ll figure out what’s wrong, explain it in plain terms, and fix the issue, all on the same day when we can. Our heat pump repair services cover ductless mini-split, air-source, and geothermal systems from all major manufacturers.
A working heat pump matters when the weather turns cold, and we’ve helped homeowners across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC stay comfortable for more than 120 years.
Heat pumps usually give a few warning signs before they stop working altogether. If you notice any of these, it’s a good time to schedule a repair visit.
You don’t need to know what’s causing the problem before you call. Your John C. Flood technician will diagnose it during the visit and explain what they find.
A few quick checks can rule out simple issues before you schedule a visit and give your technician helpful information.
Anything beyond these checks is a job for a technician. Please don’t open the unit’s electrical panels, chip away ice, or try to add refrigerant. If these checks don’t solve the problem, book a heat pump repair visit, and we’ll take it from there.
Most heat pump repairs trace back to a handful of common problems. Here’s what each one looks like and how our technicians fix it.
If your heat pump blows cool air for just a few minutes in winter, it’s usually running a normal defrost cycle. However, if the air stays cool, your system likely needs attention. Common causes include low refrigerant levels, a malfunctioning reversing valve, a failed defrost control, inactive backup heating, or incorrect thermostat settings and wiring. Our technicians will inspect each component to identify the underlying cause before recommending a solution.
It also helps to know that heat pump air naturally feels cooler than air from a gas furnace, even when everything is working right.
A light layer of frost on your outdoor unit is normal in winter. Your heat pump runs a defrost cycle to melt it off, and you may see steam rising from the unit while it does. Ice that builds into a thick shell or covers the top of the unit is a sign that something isn’t working.
Common causes include a failed defrost control board or sensor, low refrigerant, a stopped outdoor fan motor, restricted airflow, or water dripping onto the unit from a gutter or roof edge. Our technician will find out why the ice isn’t clearing and fix the problem at the source.
The reversing valve lets your heat pump switch between heating and cooling. It does this by reversing the direction of refrigerant flow through the system. When the valve has a problem, your heat pump may get stuck in one mode, blow cool air in heat mode, or refuse to switch over when you change the thermostat.
Many issues don’t require a full valve replacement. Replacing a faulty solenoid coil often does the trick. However, if the valve itself has failed, fixing it involves recovering refrigerant, replacing the component, and recharging the system. For older units, replacing the system altogether may be more practical.
Auxiliary heat and emergency heat are both backup heat sources, but they work differently. Aux heat turns on automatically when your heat pump needs help, such as on very cold days or during a defrost cycle. Emergency heat is a setting you turn on yourself, and it runs only the backup heat while the heat pump stays off.
Seeing aux heat now and then is normal. If it runs almost all the time in moderate weather, your heat pump may not be doing its share. Common causes include low refrigerant, a problem with the outdoor unit or compressor, a faulty outdoor temperature sensor, or a thermostat that isn’t set up correctly for a heat pump. Backup heat usually costs more to run than the heat pump, so it’s worth having it checked rather than letting it run all season.
Refrigerant is the fluid that carries heat between your indoor and outdoor units. A refrigerant leak can cause weak heating, ice on the coils, or a hissing or bubbling sound near the refrigerant lines.
Our technician will locate the leak, repair it, and refill the refrigerant. The type of refrigerant your system uses can also affect your repair decision, which we explain in the repair or replace section below.
A heat pump relies on several electrical parts to start and run. Capacitors give the motors a boost to get started. Contactors switch power on and off. Fan motors move air across the indoor and outdoor coils, and control boards tell each part when to run. When one of these parts fails, you may hear a hum without the unit starting, see an outdoor fan that won’t spin, or find that the breaker keeps tripping.
Most of these repairs are straightforward once you identify the failed part. If the problem traces back to your home’s wiring or electrical panel, John C. Flood has licensed electricians on our team, so you don’t need to call a second company.
Short cycling means your heat pump turns on and off every few minutes without finishing a full cycle. Running constantly means it rarely shuts off, even in mild weather. Both put extra wear on the system.
Common causes include dirty filters or coils, refrigerant problems, a mis-placed thermostat that reads the wrong temperature, or a system that’s the wrong size for the home. Our technician will check airflow, refrigerant levels, and the thermostat to find the cause.
John C. Flood repairs heat pumps from all major manufacturers, and each system type has its own common issues. If you’d like to learn more about how each system works, visit our heat pumps page.
Most homes with a heat pump have an air-source system, which pairs an outdoor unit with an indoor air handler and ductwork. The problems covered above are the most common repairs on these systems.
Ductless mini-splits are a popular choice for additions, finished attics, and homes without ductwork. Beyond the issues above, mini-splits can have a few problems of their own. An indoor unit may drip water, show an error code or blinking light, or heat one room while the others stay cold. Sometimes the remote stops controlling the unit altogether. Our technicians can track down the cause and get every zone working again.
Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the earth using an underground loop system. The indoor unit works much like other heat pumps and needs the same kind of care. The underground loop is designed to last for many years and rarely needs work.
Most geothermal repairs center on the indoor unit, the pump or flow center that circulates fluid through the loop, or low loop pressure. If your geothermal system isn’t heating like it used to, our technicians can diagnose the problem and get it running properly again.
A dual-fuel system pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump handles heating in milder weather, and the furnace takes over when it gets colder outside. A common problem is when the system doesn’t switch between the two at the right outdoor temperature. Our technicians can check the controls and settings and repair either side of the system. If the furnace itself needs work, our furnace repair team can help with that too.
Refrigerant is the fluid that carries heat between your indoor and outdoor units. A refrigerant leak can cause weak heating, ice on the coils, or a hissing or bubbling sound near the refrigerant lines.
Our technician will locate the leak, repair it, and refill the refrigerant. The type of refrigerant your system uses can also affect your repair decision, which we explain in the repair or replace section below.
A heat pump relies on several electrical parts to start and run. Capacitors give the motors a boost to get started. Contactors switch power on and off. Fan motors move air across the indoor and outdoor coils, and control boards tell each part when to run. When one of these parts fails, you may hear a hum without the unit starting, see an outdoor fan that won’t spin, or find that the breaker keeps tripping.
Most of these repairs are straightforward once you identify the failed part. If the problem traces back to your home’s wiring or electrical panel, John C. Flood has licensed electricians on our team, so you don’t need to call a second company.
Short cycling means your heat pump turns on and off every few minutes without finishing a full cycle. Running constantly means it rarely shuts off, even in mild weather. Both put extra wear on the system.
Common causes include dirty filters or coils, refrigerant problems, a mis-placed thermostat that reads the wrong temperature, or a system that’s the wrong size for the home. Our technician will check airflow, refrigerant levels, and the thermostat to find the cause.
Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC experience all four seasons, so your heat pump works year-round. That year-round workload is one reason regular service matters so much here.
Homes across the region range from historic rowhouses to newer suburban builds, and heat pumps show up in all of them. Some older homes rely on ductless systems or have outdoor units in tight spaces. Our technicians are comfortable working in each of these settings.
A few simple habits can help your heat pump get through the winter:
When a heat pump needs a major repair, it’s natural to wonder whether it’s time for a new one. John C. Flood lays out both options honestly, so you can make the call that’s right for your home. We won’t push a replacement you don’t need. These factors usually guide the decision.
If replacement is the better choice, we’ll walk you through your heat pump installation options and financing to make the upgrade easier.
Getting your heat pump fixed should be simple. Here’s what to expect when you call John C. Flood in Northern Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C.
We offer regular rates 7 days a week, so weekend repairs cost the same as weekday visits.
Regular heat pump service is the best way to head off repairs. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends having a professional service your heat pump at least once a year. During a service visit, a technician can check refrigerant levels, airflow, electrical connections, and thermostat operation.
Between visits, you can help by cleaning or changing your filter every three months (or as often as your manufacturer recommends) and keeping the outdoor unit clear. Our HVAC maintenance plans help you stay on schedule.
Terms and Conditions apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discounts. Limited time offer. Coupon must be presented at the time of the initial call. Discounts/promotions cannot be applied.
Expires: 11/30/2026
View More SpecialsCannot be combined with any other offer or discounts. Limited time offer. Coupon must be presented at the time of the initial call. Discounts/promotions cannot be applied.
View More Specials$75.00 OFF
Any Plumbing Service
Minimum of $500.00 job to be applicable. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discounts. Limited time offer. Coupon must be presented at the time of the initial call. Discounts/promotions cannot be applied.
Expires: 09/30/2024
Google Reviews
Homeowners across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC have trusted John C. Flood for more than 120 years. Here’s what you can expect when you call us for heat pump repair.
Yes, emergency heat is designed to keep your home warm when the heat pump isn’t working. It runs only your backup heat, which usually costs more to operate than the heat pump. It’s a good short-term solution while you wait for a repair, but we don’t recommend relying on it for the rest of the season.
Set your thermostat to a steady, comfortable temperature and leave it there. If the heat pump isn’t heating at all, you can switch to emergency heat to stay warm. Don’t keep resetting a breaker that trips more than once, and don’t try to chip ice off the outdoor unit. Your technician will take it from there.
You shouldn’t cover a heat pump in the winter. Unlike an air conditioner, a heat pump runs all winter to heat your home. Covering it blocks the airflow it needs and can lead to ice buildup. Instead, keep snow, leaves, and debris off and around the unit.
We will. We repair heat pumps from all major manufacturers, no matter who installed them. Your technician will diagnose the problem the same way they would for any system. You’ll get clear options and upfront pricing before any work begins.
Many heat pump repairs are finished in a single visit. Some repairs require a part that must be ordered, which can add time. After the diagnosis, your technician will tell you what to expect and when your system should be running again.
Here’s a quick guide to some words you might hear from your technician during a repair visit.
