HEAT PUMP REPAIR Calgary
Keep warm in your Calgary home with Alberta Mountain Air. We provide fast and affordable heat pump repair services for Calgary and the surrounding areas.
CALGARY HEAT PUMP REPAIRS WITHOUT THE STRESS
New, high-efficiency heat pumps are a great way to save natural gas usage and reduce your carbon footprint.
Many Calgary homes opt for heat pump installations to supplement their furnaces, working together for an energy-efficient home.
But the temperature extremes we experience in this part of Canada mean that we ask our heating and cooling devices to work hard for much of the year. This can lead to unexpected problems from overworked systems—especially if heat pump maintenance is neglected.
Heat pumps are susceptible to a variety of problems that need urgent attention if they strike. For peace of mind, you need a repair team you can rely on to do the job comprehensively and dependably.
The technicians at Alberta Mountain Air have over 20 years of HVAC experience and are trained in repairing all heat pump makes and models. We’ll fix your heat pump, provide transparent pricing, and recommend how to maintain an efficient HVAC system.
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HOW DOES A HEAT PUMP WORK?
Most furnaces in Alberta burn natural gas to generate heat but heat pumps run on electricity and draw thermal energy from outside air—even cold air—before transferring it indoors. They can also provide cooling by transferring warm indoor air to the outside.
Most Calgary homes use heat pumps as secondary heating devices. A compressor inside the device increases the temperature of the heat extracted from the outside air. Hot air is then forced through a home’s existing ducts and vents.
Heat pumps can provide cost-saving benefits over traditional furnaces and have become a popular addition to homes across Canada. However, heat pumps should generally not replace furnaces in Calgary homes because they produce less heat than furnaces and are traditionally designed for less extreme temperature fluctuations than we experience in Alberta.
Heat pumps are best used when temperatures range from +20C to -10 or -15C (no colder).
COMMON HEAT PUMP ISSUES FIXED
Modern heat pumps are sophisticated devices that usually perform very reliably if properly maintained.
However, a variety of issues can affect heat pumps, potentially impacting the comfort of your family. You should acquaint yourself with these issues so that you can recognize the signs if they start to affect your device.
Most commonly, we repair the following heat pump problems for Calgary homeowners:
- Heat pump not heating properly (blowing warm air): this could be due to a thermostat or compressor issue.
- Insufficient air flow: typically, this is due to a blockage in the heating system, often the filters or blower motor.
- Making loud or unusual noises: if loud noises are heard even after the system is starting up, something’s not right and needs attention (most modern heat pumps run quietly).
- Refrigerant leaks: these can cause long-term damage so if you detect a lack of cooling due to leaking refrigerant, the leak needs repairing.
- High electricity bills: because your heat pump runs on electricity rather than gas, high electricity bills can mean a heat pump problem.
None of the above should be attempted as DIY fixes. Call out a heat pump repair professional as handling devices that depend on electricity and refrigerant can be hazardous.
WORRIED ABOUT YOUR HOME TEMPERATURE DROPPING?
When it gets well into the -20s and -30s below zero and your heat pump or furnace packs up, your home can quickly start to get icy.
Don’t panic! In many cases, houses in Calgary have enough insulation to hold their temperature for many hours before damage, such as frozen pipes, starts to happen.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure your home stays warm while you wait for your heat pump or furnace to be fixed:
- Keep an eye on your thermostat (above 10 is good!)
- Turn on your oven and open the door
- Have a fireplace? Turn it on
- Baseboard heaters? Turn them on.
- Avoid opening doors or windows
- Keep window shade down to conserve energy.
- Plug-in any space heaters (We provide complementary while you wait)
- Bundle Up & Wait
Following the above can help give your home many more hours of warmth during extreme cold spells and keep your family comfortable while you wait for our team to arrive.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH ALBERTA MOUNTAIN AIR
01
First Call
Get greeted by our friendly office team that will give you a full explanation of what to expect with your first call.
02
On Our Way
We use cutting edge software that will notify you when we are on our way, by call or text, so you know when we are due to arrive.
03
Diagnosis
Whether your system is being fixed or you need a replacement, our team will provide a simple breakdown of all your options.
04
Moving Forward
Once an option has been picked, our team will quickly get to fixing your system, or scheduling you in for your installation date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference is the energy used to generate heat: a gas furnace uses the combustion of natural gas while a heat pump uses electricity (like an air conditioning unit). Heat pumps also have the ability to reverse their heating process and switch to providing cool air for your home, eliminating the need for an air conditioner. You can read more about the differences between heat pumps and furnaces here.
Heat pump repair costs depend on the parts and labour involved to diagnose and fix the issue. This can be anywhere from $150 to $1500 or more.
High-quality, modern heat pumps can last up to 15 or 20 years in Calgary but this will depend on the type/brand, maintenance, installation quality, usage, and air quality in the home.
A heat pump is an investment in the comfort and safety of your home. Therefore, we recommend that all repairs should be managed by accredited professionals with good knowledge of the various safety and technical issues to diagnose and fix the problem. Professional repairs will also protect the warranty—unlike DIY repairs.
This is not advisable in Alberta because a heat pump here generally requires a supplemental heating system like a gas furnace to heat the home in the coldest parts of winter. Most modern heat pumps will work fine in temperatures as low as -10C to -15C but, beyond that, greater heating capacity is required.
If your heat pump consistently needs repairs, it may pay to replace it but there are several factors to weigh up with this question, you’ll need to consider the age of the unit, the monthly electricity bills (how efficient is the current unit?), whether it’s still under warranty, how well it generally heats the home, and whether you’re asking your heat pump to do too much (should your furnace carry more of the heating load?)
Heat pump warranties vary but most manufacturers offer a 10-15-year parts and labour warranty so some repairs may be covered. Check what the deal is before you buy and install your heat pump. Some HVAC companies also offer a service warranty which protects you for several months after your heat pump is repaired or serviced.
Most of the time, the heat pump will handle the heating in your home as well as the cooling during the summer months. However, when the temperatures dip below -10 to -15C, as does happen quite regularly in a Calgary winter, you’ll need the extra heating power of your furnace to keep your home warm.
Heat pumps are designed to be located outdoors but, sometimes, covers can protect the outdoor part of the unit from snow, ice, vegetation, and debris. Just make sure that any cover is far enough above the top of the outdoor unit so that airflow is not impeded and service technicians can still access it.
Furnace Brands We Service
Find Your Furnace Brand Below
Our team is qualified on every furnace brand so we can come prepared with the parts you need to get your furnace running again!
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Still have questions about your next air conditioner? Let us help you choose an air conditioner you’ll be excited for.
