Carrier Heat Pump Troubleshooting
Carrier heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, offering an energy-efficient HVAC solution for your home. If your unit is experiencing issues, this Carrier heat pump troubleshooting guide will help you understand the causes so you can find a solution quickly and easily.
Any testing or repairs outlined in this guide will need to be completed by an authorized technician.
Heat Pump Not Turning On
- Unit isn’t turned on - Turn the unit on.
- Thermostat is defective - Call a licensed technician to address the issue.
- Starting capacitor is faulty - Contact an authorized technician to solve the problem.
- Circuit breaker is off or tripped/fuse is blown - Turn the circuit breaker on. If issues persist, contact a licensed electrician for assistance.
Heat Pump Not Heating/Cooling
- Air filter is dirty - Replace or clean the filter as directed in the unit’s manual.
- Reversing valve is stuck - Reach out to a licensed technician to remedy the issue.
- Condensate drain is clogged - Schedule a service appointment with a licensed technician.
- Registers are closed, blocked or clogged - If the registers are closed, open them; if they are blocked, remove the obstruction on or near the register. If the registers are clogged, contact an authorized technician to address the issue.
- Ductwork has a leak - Call a licensed technician for assistance.
- Compressor is dirty or frozen - Get in touch with an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
- Outdoor unit is blocked by debris, leaves or snow - If the blockage is easily accessible, remove it; if it isn’t, contact a licensed technician to solve the problem
Heat Pump is Blowing Cold Air in Heat Mode
- Thermostat was accidentally set to “cool” - Set the thermostat to “heat.”
- Thermostat is defective - Call an authorized technician for assistance.
- Fan is set to “on” instead of “auto” - Set the fan to “auto.”
- Air filter is dirty - Clean or replace the filter per instructions in the owner’s manual.
- Outdoor unit is frozen - Reach out to a licensed technician to remedy the issue.
- Indoor and/or outdoor unit is/are defective - Schedule a service appointment with an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
- Refrigerant charge is low - Contact a licensed technician to address the issue.
- Reversing valve is faulty - Call an authorized technician to solve the problem.
Heat Pump is Running Constantly
- Outdoor temperature is extremely hot or cold - Continuous operation is normal when temperatures are extreme.
- Thermostat setting is too high or low - Adjust the thermostat to a more moderate setting so the unit doesn’t have to work so hard.
- Air filter is dirty - Clean or replace the filter as directed in the owner's manual.
- Condensate pump is unplugged or faulty - If the pump is unplugged, plug it in; if plugging in the pump doesn’t solve the issue, make an appointment with a licensed technician to solve the issue.
- Outdoor unit is faulty - Call a licensed technician for assistance.
- Coils are dirty or frozen - Schedule an appointment with an authorized technician to solve the problem.
- Reversing valve is defective - Contact an authorized technician to address the issue.
- Refrigerant charge is low - Reach out to a licensed technician to remedy the issue.
- Compressor is defective - Schedule a service appointment with an authorized technician.
Heat Pump is Making Loud Noises
- Outdoor unit has loose screws or debris inside the unit - Reach out to an authorized technician for assistance.
- Ductwork has a leak - Schedule a service appointment with a licensed technician.
- Air filter is dirty - Clean or replace the filter as directed in the user’s manual.
- Reverse valve is defective - Although a gentle sound emanating from the reverse valve is part of normal operation, excessive noise isn’t; if the noise is loud and constant, contact an authorized technician to address the issue.
Heat Pump Coil is Frozen
- Refrigerant charge is low - Contact an authorized technician for assistance.
- Water is leaking onto the outdoor unit and then freezing - Locate the leak in the gutters or other part of the building and fix it. However, don’t try to remove ice on the outdoor unit: if ice is present on the outdoor unit, call a licensed technician to remedy the issue.
- Fan motor is faulty - Schedule a service appointment with an authorized technician.
- Defrost timer is defective - Get in touch with a licensed technician for assistance.
Heat Pump is Starting and Stopping Randomly
- Air filter is dirty - Clean or replace the filter as indicated in the owner’s manual.
- Refrigerant is leaking - Call a licensed technician for assistance.
- Installation was improper - Contact an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
Heat Pump is Leaking Water
- Condensation on the outdoor unit is normal - Some condensation on the outdoor compressor is part of normal operation.
- Drain pan is clogged - Contact a licensed technician to address the issue.
- Drain tube is clogged - Call an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
Fan on Furnace or Air Handler Not Turning On
- Circuit breaker is off or tripped/fuse is blown - Turn the circuit breaker on. If the problem persists, reach out to a licensed electrician to solve the issue.
- Wiring connection is faulty - Schedule a service appointment with a licensed technician.
- Blower motor is blown - Call an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
For information on solving issues with other types of Carrier HVAC units, see our air conditioner troubleshooting and gas furnace troubleshooting articles. If you need information on how to clean, maintain or troubleshoot your specific unit, the large library of Carrier HVAC manuals on our site is a great resource.