Heat pump repair

One system, two modes to check

A heat pump can lose heating while cooling still works. Or the fan can run while neither mode changes the room temperature. We check the thermostat command, indoor airflow and outdoor equipment together, then compare the readings with the manufacturer's service information.

For a system that stops and starts repeatedly, we look for the reason it shuts down. For persistent ice, we check operating conditions and defrost control. Neither symptom is enough on its own to order a compressor or add refrigerant.

If it runs in cool mode but the air comes out warm, our guide to a heat pump not cooling covers the owner checks from Goodman's manual and what needs a technician.

What the diagnostic covers

• Controls and communication between the thermostat, indoor unit and outdoor unit.
• Airflow through the indoor equipment and the condition of the coils.
• Electrical operation and refrigerant readings relevant to the reported fault.
• Mode switching and defrost operation when the symptoms point there.

The diagnostic fee is $99 per visit, including additional units checked during that visit, and is credited toward the repair. We explain the finding and provide a repair estimate before you authorize the work.

Repair cost and the replacement decision

Typical minor HVAC repairs are $250 to $650 for parts and labor. That range does not price a compressor, a coil or a refrigerant leak repair. Those jobs need a diagnosis and a written quote.

We weigh the failed part, the rest of the equipment's condition and the cost of the proposed work. If replacement deserves consideration, the heat pump installation page and system comparison explain the next visit. There is no age alone that makes every system a replacement.

Why controls belong in the diagnosis

A Samsung mini-split we repaired in Pleasanton had inconsistent heating and cooling. Replacing the indoor circuit board was part of restoring stable operation. It is a ductless repair example, not proof of the fault in a different heat pump. For that equipment type, see mini-split repair.

Find your system and city

We are factory-trained on Daikin and Mitsubishi. Our hubs also cover Goodman and Carrier. Tell us the model if you have it.

Local symptom guides: not heating in Pleasanton, not cooling in San Ramon, and short cycling in Walnut Creek. For planned replacement sizing, use the calculators as a starting point. Routine maintenance is a separate visit from diagnosing a current failure.