First things first, to understand whether constant running is a problem, we must grasp how an Air Source Heat Pump works. They work by pulling heat from the outside air and transferring it to the inside of your home. It’s basically like a reverse refrigerator, and it can be used not only heat your property but also to create hot water and fill radiators as well.
An air source heat pump is a great choice as they work to heat your home even in cold weather. Although just like any piece of specialist equipment, they can sometimes encounter issues, including having the heat pump run constantly, a topic we will look at in more depth below.
Is the heating pump running constantly a problem?
Problems with your air source heat pump are bad news because they can cause all sorts of issues, from increasing your energy bill to putting more strain on your pump’s system. Something that, in turn, can cause it to wear out faster, meaning you will need to replace it sooner.
However, when it comes to the question of whether your heat pump running all the time is a problem, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, it’s important to realise that there are situations when if your heat pump is running constantly its normal, and situations where it could indicate an issue that needs to be fixed.
If the temperature is below 0 degrees outside.
One of the situations in which your heat pump may need to run constantly is if it’s zero degrees or less outside. This is because your pump will need to work harder to meet your home heating needs. After all, it’ll be drawing from the air with less heat. What that means is if your pump is running for longer during colder spells, it’s usually OK, as this is what it has been designed to do.
However, there are some specific situations when having your pump run all the time indicates a problem that needs to be fixed. Each of these will be discussed in detail below.
How to spot when something could be wrong with your air pump
Before we look at the reasons that could be causing your pump to fail, it’s important to know exactly what to look for. Remember that heat pumps are designed to work for longer durations than boilers, so it’s wise to take note of other issues too, including:
- Your home never gets to a comfortable / target temperature
- Odd sounds are coming from your air source heat pump
- Error codes – check the display panel
- Your energy usage and bills are much more than usual
If your heat pump is showing any of these signs, then it’s a good indication that there is a problem, like the ones below that need fixing.
Situations Where Constant Pump Running Is Problematic
Your home is poorly insulated
Your air source heat pump will need to work overtime if your home is poorly insulated because the air it’s heating won’t stick around for long. With that in mind, make sure that there are no drafts, your property is properly insulated and that you keep windows and doors proeply close when your heat pump is in use.
It’s on the wrong thermostat setting
Occasionally, fixing your heat pump is as easy as changing your thermostat settings. Remember, your heat pump is designed to heat or cool your home to the precise temperature you set for it.
What that means is it will continue to work to this figure, until you change, even if it’s no longer appropriate to the weather or season.
To that end, if your heat pump seems to be on all the time, be sure that you have the right setting on the thermometer.
You may even want to consider a Smart Thermostat, which can be programmed for different settings at different times, and even allows remote monitoring, which means you’ll keep an eye on your pump’s output for you, checking that it’s working efficiently 24/7.
There is a problem with your condensate pump
The condensate pump is a crucial part of any air source heat pump system because it removes the moisture that your pump collects as it draws air from the outside. Unfortunately, if your condensing pump stops working, this can lead to your heat pump working continuously. Signs that your condensate pump may have an issue include leaking around the indoor unit or strange noises from the pump itself. If you suspect your condensate pump is the problem, then it’s best to call in the professionals to get it fixed asap.
Your outdoor unit is frozen
Another reason that you may need to call in the pros is if your outside unit has frozen over. This means it will not be able to pull in air, and so it can cause your air source heat pump to run constantly. The best approach here is to look for ice on your unit, then turn your system off, and call in the pros for a fix.
Call The Professionals For Maintenance And Repairs
You can see from the information above that there are some situations in which the constant running of your heat pump is either expected (cold weather) or easily resolved (thermostat is wrong and poor home insulation).
However, you will have also noticed that there are some situations where major faults are causing this issue that require professional help in the form of maintenance (dirty air filter) or repair condensate pump problems, or outdoor unit frozen).
The good news is that here at ServiceMy.co.uk, we specialise in heat pump Repairs & Emergency Call-Outs. That means our dedicated air source heat pump servicing experts can help you, whether you have a traditional or hybrid air pump, by performing comprehensive system checks.
We also do detailed heat loss calculations and complete any maintenance and repairs that your pump needs, not only to start running again, but to ensure a longer, more efficient life.
Contact ServiceMy for all heat pump servicing needs today!
