You can fix this
Likely cause: a blocked outdoor unit
A heat pump pulls heat from the outdoor air through its outdoor coil. Snow, leaves and debris block that air.
Why this happens
Trane lists airflow, including outdoor blockage, among the causes of a heat pump that isn't heating, and Carrier lists a blocked outdoor coil. When the coil can't draw air, the heat pump can't collect heat to bring inside.
How to fix it
- Set the thermostat to Off, then switch off the outdoor disconnect.
- Brush snow away from the top and sides by hand or with a soft broom. Don't chip at ice.
- Pull leaves and debris away from the outside of the unit, and trim plants back.
- Switch the disconnect back on, set the thermostat to Heat, and check the air after several minutes.
When to stop. If the unit is encased in ice under the snow, leave the ice alone and call an HVAC technician.
If this does not fix it, tell the HVAC technician
- What was blocking the unit.
- Whether heating improved after you cleared it.
- Whether the unit was also iced over.
Build the full list: what to tell the HVAC technician.
Start this troubleshooter over
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
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