Winter heating costs can be a shock, especially if your heat pump seems to be running non-stop. If you’ve noticed an unusual spike in your utility costs, you might wonder if it’s your heat pump causing high electric bills. While heat pumps often run frequently in cold weather, a malfunctioning system can drive energy bills up significantly. The good news? You may not need to call a technician right away. With a simple DIY test, you can check if your heat pump is working efficiently or if it’s time for a professional inspection and potential heat pump replacement.
Step 1: Locate Your Heat Pump Refrigerant Lines
To determine whether your heat pump is effectively heating your home, head outside to the unit while it’s running. You should see two copper refrigerant lines connecting the outdoor unit to the indoor system:
- One is usually a thicker line, often covered in black foam insulation.
- The other is typically a thinner, uninsulated line.
The thicker line carries heat into your home. Carefully slide back a small section of the foam insulation and touch the metal pipe underneath.
Step 2: Feel for Heat
If your heat pump is operating correctly, the thicker refrigerant line should feel quite warm—almost uncomfortably hot to the touch, though not enough to burn you. This is a good sign that your heat pump is successfully pulling heat from the outdoor air and transferring it inside.
However, if the pipe is cool or barely warm, your heat pump may not be functioning as it should. Before jumping to conclusions, run through a quick checklist:
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Is the Outdoor Unit Running?
If the outdoor fan isn’t spinning and the unit isn’t humming, try raising the thermostat temperature a few degrees. If the heat pump doesn’t turn on, check your thermostat and ensure the system is not using its emergency heat setting. If your system still won’t run, the heat pump may be failing and need professional attention.
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Is the Heat Pump in Defrost Mode?
Heat pumps periodically enter their defrost mode to prevent ice buildup. During this process, the outdoor unit will pause normal heating operations for a few minutes. Recheck the refrigerant line after the cycle if you see steam rising from the unit.
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Is Your Backup Heat Taking Over?
If the thicker refrigerant line stays cool while your system is running, your heat pump may not be working. Forcing your home to rely solely on the heat pump’s backup electric resistance heat is costly and can cause your heating bill to double or even triple from the previous month.
Step 3: Take Action If Your Heat Pump Isn’t Heating
If your refrigerant line remains cool and your outdoor unit seems to be struggling or is not running, it’s time to take action.
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Check Your Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat should be set to its normal heat or heat pump mode—not the emergency heat or “Em. Ht.” setting. If your system is stuck using backup heat, your energy bills will skyrocket.
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Monitor Your Energy Usage
A malfunctioning heat pump often leads to a noticeable jump in energy consumption. If your bill is significantly higher than usual and your heat pump runs constantly, your system may be overdue for maintenance or replacement.
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Schedule a Professional Inspection
Even if your system is still running, a cool refrigerant line signals a problem. A Precision Comfort Systems technician can diagnose the issue, whether it’s a refrigerant leak, compressor failure, or another mechanical problem. Prompt heat pump repairs can prevent excessive energy costs and ensure your home stays warm all winter.
Don’t Rely on Emergency Heat—It Will Cost You!
Many homeowners mistakenly believe that switching to emergency heat will provide extra warmth on cold days. However, this setting turns off your heat pump entirely, forcing your home to rely solely on electric resistance heat. Since backup heat is far less efficient, using emergency heat unnecessarily drives up costs without improving comfort.
Your heat pump can run continuously in cold weather, and its regular operation is far more efficient than electric resistance heat. If your system isn’t keeping up against frigid temperatures, the solution is not to switch to emergency heat. Instead, have a trained professional check your heat pump immediately.
Trust Precision Comfort Systems and Stay Warm Without Overspending
By performing a quick DIY test, you can determine if your heat pump is working efficiently or if it’s time for a professional evaluation. A properly functioning heat pump should deliver steady, reliable warmth without causing a significant increase in energy bill rates.
If you suspect your system isn’t operating at peak efficiency or were caught off guard by a high monthly bill, let the heat pump experts at Precision Comfort Systems diagnose the problem. Reach out online or call (317) 867-2665 for 24/7 expert service and energy-saving solutions.