Looking for Gaithersburg heat pump repair?

Get fast and friendly service from Rod Miller.

Let’s take care of your heat pump.

If your heat pump or furnace unit isn’t keeping your home warm, we’ll send one of our highly skilled, knowledgeable, and friendly technicians to fix it – the kind of person you can trust to be in your home, even when you’re not there.

At Rod Miller, our technicians aren’t paid by how many calls they handle or how much equipment they sell. That means that you can rest assured that they won’t sell you something you don’t need.

In other words, we won’t sell you a new heat pump if your current unit will work.

Our primary goal as we examine your heat pump is to get your heating system running and working in the way that’s best for you. We service all of the best HVAC brands, and we’ll make sure your system is back up and running as quickly as possible.

If your heat pump does need to be replaced, we’ll give an honest quote for the installation of a new unit. Let’s keep your home comfortable today, and in the winters to come.

Get in touch with us for Gaithersburg heat pump repair today.

Looking to learn more about heat pump repair so you know what to expect?

We’ve been serving the Gaithersburg community with heat pump repair services for over 50 years. Here are a few of the questions we get most often:

1. Why is my heat pump smoking?
2. What’s wrong with my heat pump?
3. How does a heat pump compare to a furnace?
4. Does my heat pump need to be repaired or replaced?
5. How much does a heat pump replacement cost?
6. How much does heat pump repair cost?
7. What is the best heat pump repair company in Gaithersburg? 

We’ll take a look at each of these in more detail and offer answers to help you as you consider your heat pump repair options.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

1. Why is my heat pump smoking?

We get this call often during the winter months. The good news is that the vast majority of the time, homeowners actually aren’t seeing “smoke” – usually, they’re seeing steam.

How Steam Happens

Steam sometimes appears when a heat pump goes into defrost mode. That’s because, as a heat pump runs, it creates water condensation along its coil, and if it is cold enough outside that water will freeze. Once it does, the coil has trouble doing its job.

Fortunately, heat pumps are built to defrost the ice build-up.

When this happens, the pump essentially switches back to air conditioning for a minimal amount of time to release heat from the coil and melt the ice. This doesn’t impact in-home temperature; there’s an auxiliary strip heater inside the unit that will turn on and offset the cold air that would normally blow into your home. Once the heat pump has finished defrosting, it will automatically go back to being a heating unit again.

If you are looking outside during this process, you might think that you see “smoke”, but what you’re really seeing is just the melting ice turning into steam.

You can learn more about the heat pump defrost process here.

The Takeaway: “Steam” Is Normal

There is not much that you can do to keep your heat pump from needing to go into defrost mode. It’s just nature taking its course. When the unit starts to absorb heat, condensation is inevitable. When it gets cold enough out, that water will freeze. When the ice melts, you’ll see steam.

It all means that your heat pump is working the way it should be to keep your house warm.

2. What’s wrong with my heat pump?

While “smoking” heat pumps are one of the most common heat pump repair calls, there are a variety of common issues. Here are three other things to keep an eye out for.

Your Heat Pump is Frozen

Sometimes, homeowners check their heat pump and find that it’s become encased in a block of ice. This can be a little disconcerting, but it’s not uncommon – as mentioned above, condensation is likely to freeze on the heat pump.

But if it doesn’t melt and you’re seeing sustained ice build-up, it’s usually for one of two reasons:

The defrost cycle is defunct.

Depending on the manufacturer and the programming settings, your heat pump’s defrost cycle should kick on every 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Sometimes, though, this function fails and needs to be repaired.

The refrigerant needs to be charged.

Less commonly, the refrigerant in your system might have a low charge and need to be refreshed, whether due to a leak or simply the passage of time.

Either way, if you notice ice on your heat pump that doesn’t seem to be defrosting, it’s probably worth it to schedule heat pump repair.

Your Heat Pump Is Loud

This is a call we get pretty often, too. Here’s the bad news: Heat pumps are generally pretty loud.

The reality is that these are complicated machines that are working inside of metal cases in cold weather. The defrost cycle is loud. All of this leads to some jangling and whooshing and buzzing. It’s usually in service of heating your home.

The good news is that a) loud heat pumps often aren’t broken, and b) we can often help to reduce the noise your system is making. When we’re called out for a noisy heat pump, we can tighten up case bolts and reduce the amount of vibration that’s happening to quiet things down.

Of course, noise can sometimes signal a problem. If you’re hearing a shrieking sound, for example, it might indicate that your motor is on its way to burning out, and you’ll likely want to call a service technician.

Your Auxiliary Heat Is Running at the Same Time as Your Heat Pump

In the depths of winter, we get this call seven days a week and twice on Sundays. The good news is that most of the time, having your auxiliary heat running is not a cause for concern.

Heat pumps, unlike gas furnaces, aren’t designed to keep homes comfortable in extreme cold. So, auxiliary systems supplement heat pumps to help bridge the gap and keep your home warm.

Now, if your auxiliary heat is running and the temperature outside is relatively mild – say, in the 40s or 50s – you may have a problem. In that case, it’s probably best to schedule a service call.

Learn more about common heat pump problems here.

3. How does a heat pump compare to a furnace?

This is a common question for homeowners who are considering a new system. To answer it, let’s take a look at each heating system in a little more depth.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is part of a central heating and cooling system that uses air from outside the home to heat it in the winter and to cool it in the summer.

Trane explains it this way: “Think of a heat pump as a heat transporter constantly moving warm air from one place to another, to where it’s needed or not needed, depending on the season.”

What is a furnace?

A furnace, on the other hand, burns fuel and then distributes the resulting heat throughout the home. Obviously, this means that you won’t use it during the warmer months.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of each system?

A heat pump is powered by electricity and tends to be a more efficient source of heat than a furnace. However, because it relies on air from outside, a heat pump isn’t as equipped to keep homes warm in extremely cold weather (which is why auxiliary heat may be used supplementally). Additionally, heat pumps typically have shorter lifespans than furnaces. They usually last about 15 years or so, largely because they’re used year-round as opposed to only being used in the winter.

A furnace, on the other hand, is powered by fuel (usually gas). It’s a less efficient source of heat, but it “blows warmer” than a heat pump and is better equipped to keep homes comfortable in extremely cold temperatures. Furnaces also tend to have longer lifespans, often lasting 20 or more years.

Want help selecting the right system for your home? We’d love to discuss your needs and find the perfect fit.

4. Does my heat pump need to be repaired or replaced?

If your heat pump breaks down, this is the key question – can it be fixed, or will you need to install a new system?

The answer depends on a wide range of factors, of course, but here are a few key things to consider.

The Component That’s Broken

Some parts are more significant than others. If, for example, your motor pulley belt has broken, that’s a pretty easy (and affordable) fix. If the motor itself has broken, though, that’s a bigger deal, and you may need to think about a replacement unit.

The Age of the System

If your heat pump is nearing the end of its expected useful life, it may be time to get it replaced. As noted above, that’s usually around the 15-year mark. It may be possible to repair at that point, but it’s likely that the maintenance bills will begin to pile up.

The Status of the Warranty

Additionally, the status of your system’s warranty is a factor to consider. If it’s still under manufacturer’s warranty, it often makes sense to repair the system rather than to replace it. You’ll save on the cost of replacement parts, making the repair more affordable.

The Cost of Repair

On a related note, the overall cost of the repair is a factor to consider. Just as a car is considered “totaled” if the costs of repairs outweigh the value of the vehicle, a heat pump should probably be replaced if it’ll cost more to repair it than to replace it.

The reality is that, to make the right call, you’ll likely need to talk to an HVAC professional. We’re here to help – and we also offer free second opinions on inspections from other heat pump repair companies.

If we can repair your heat pump, we will. But if you need a replacement, we’ll be honest about that, too.

5. How much does a heat pump replacement cost?

If you end up needing a new heat pump, the next question is usually about cost. As you might expect, this varies. To use a car analogy again – you can purchase a basic sedan, or you can get the sportscar. There are a wide range of options at a wide range of price points.

A general baseline, though, is that heat pump replacement will cost at least around $4,000 for a new unit. That’s on the lower end of the spectrum for air source heat pumps, which are the most common option for Gaithersburg homeowners with ductwork in place. This will also be heavily impacted by the cost of labor; depending on how much work is needed, you’re likely looking at a total bill of around $10,000 or more. Again, that’s the low end.

We understand that replacement is expensive, and we firmly believe that every Gaithersburg family deserves to be comfortable in their home. That’s why we prioritize repairs if possible. It’s also why we offer no-interest financing options through Synchrony bank to create payment plans you can afford.

6. How much does heat pump repair cost?

Repairs, obviously, run at a lower price point than replacements. The exact cost of your heat pump repair will vary widely depending on the components that are broken, the status of your warranties, and whether or not you have a service contract (which can reduce the cost of parts and labor, in addition to minimizing the likelihood of failure in the first place).

HomeAdvisor estimates that the average cost of a heat pump repair is $368, with normal variance between $156 and $585. When you get up into the thousands, you’re likely getting into the realm of considering a replacement.

7. What is the best heat pump repair company in Gaithersburg? 

With all of that noted, let’s take a look at a few of your options for service and replacement if you’re having heat pump issues in Gaithersburg.

Here are a few companies you might consider:

1. Rod Miller HVAC

Yes, we’re a bit biased, but we’re proud of our ability to offer Gaithersburg heat pump repair. It’s based on 50 years of serving the Gaithersburg community.

We recognize that there are plenty of options for heat pump repair, though. So, why choose us?

• Homeowners like you continue to give us high ratings on Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List.
• When you call us, you’ll speak to a real person, not a robot.
• We won’t push you to buy services or equipment you don’t need. If we can repair it, we will.
• We offer free second opinions on heating systems inspected by other companies.
• We’ve been serving Maryland homeowners for over 50 years.

If you call, we’ll get your heat pump fixed fast and for good. Our approach is to treat our customers like family, and our promise, always, is that you can trust the comfort of your home to us.

2. GAC Services

GAC Services is another option. They’re one of the bigger companies serving Gaithersburg. Here’s how they explain their approach to heat pump repair:

“At GAC Services, we have the proper tools and heating and cooling expertise to diagnose and properly repair heat pumps in Gaithersburg. Our HVAC technicians are factory trained and nationally certified, so you can trust we’ll return your home or business back to its maximum comfort level as quickly as possible.”

While it’s worth noting that any HVAC service should be properly certified, GAC does have a deep bench of technicians, which is a plus. However, when you work with a larger company, you do run the risk of being treated more like a number than a person.

3. Parker Pearce

Parker Pearce is a third heat pump repair company in Gaithersburg. Like GAC Services, they’re a larger firm. Here’s how they explain their approach:

“When you want furnace repair or air conditioning service in Gaithersburg, you can rely on your regional HVAC experts at Parker Pearce Service Experts. Our HVAC technicians have received NATE certification, which means they’re placed among the leaders in the HVAC trade.”

Again, certifications are standard, but with that said, Parker Pearce is a solid option for service.

Get a Free Second Opinion

Have you had your heat pump inspected by one of these companies or another Gaithersburg HVAC service provider? At Rod Miller, we’ll provide a free second opinion to make sure that you’re being quoted correctly.

Sometimes, this can save you a lot of money. We’ve had instances where a replacement was quoted but a repair turned out to be completely feasible, saving homeowners thousands of dollars.

Get in touch with us today to get a second opinion and get peace of mind.

Need to make a heat pump repair call for service in Gaithersburg?

Hopefully, the information here has been helpful as you consider your need for heat pump repair.

And, if you do need to make a call for heat pump repair in Gaithersburg, MD, get in touch with us. Our expert technicians will review your systems to ensure they’re in working order and offer efficient repairs if they’re not.

We can quickly check all of your system components (including your heat pump, but also your humidifier, boiler, and more) so that you can be prepared and warm for the winter months.

And, of course, when you do call, we’ll treat you like family. Our promise, always, is that you can trust your home – and your heat pump – to us.