Your heat pump can’t effectively heat or cool your Hobbs, NM, home if it keeps tripping a breaker. Overdrawn circuits are always the underlying cause of tripping circuits. Consider the following possible causes of overdrawn circuits and breakers that keep tripping.
Low Refrigerant
Heat pumps rely on refrigerant to absorb heat and vent it in the appropriate place. If there’s too little refrigerant, it’ll cause a frozen system and strain the compressor. This may result in tripping the heat pump circuit breaker. A service technician can check it during routine heat pump maintenance.
Clogged Air Filter
The air filter helps keep airborne contaminants out of the system that could restrict airflow through the system. As it does its job, it’ll need routine replacing or cleaning to keep from restricting airflow at the filter.
Central systems need replacement filters, usually every 30 to 90 days for 1- and 2-inch filters. Ductless mini-splits have reusable filters that need cleaning about every two weeks.
Neglected Outdoor Unit
A neglected outdoor unit may restrict airflow through the outdoor coil, which strains the compressor and fan motor. To prevent this, clean the coil a few times a year and keep at least 2 feet around and 5 feet above the unit clear.
Malfunctioning Compressor
The compressor is the biggest power draw within a heat pump. When it malfunctions, it can draw more power than intended, causing the breaker to trip. Attempting to continue running a malfunctioning compressor can destroy it and require a full system replacement.
Frozen Fan Motor
The fan motor relies on lubricated bearings to allow the fan to spin properly. If these bearings seize up, the motor will work harder to spin the fan, drawing more power. You can easily check to see if the fan is spinning and if the motor is humming while the system is running.
Neglecting a heat pump that keeps tripping the breaker leaves you uncomfortable and wears down your system. Schedule a heat pump repair with one of the expert service technicians at I.T.S. Refrigeration & Heating, Inc.
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