Heat Pump Repair Myrtle Beach
Cold air in heat mode or an iced outdoor coil? Get the problem traced so you're not paying for backup heat all winter.
Call (854) 458-6674- Heating and cooling in one system
- Defrost and backup heat problems
- Typical costs listed
Heat Pump Repair: Common Problems in Mild Winters
South Carolina has the highest share of homes using central heat pumps in the country: about 46%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. So when a Myrtle Beach house won't heat or cool, a heat pump is the likely culprit.
Because the same equipment heats and cools, it runs most of the year and wears accordingly. The usual failures:
- Reversing valve: the system blows cool air in heat mode, or won't switch modes.
- Defrost controls: the outdoor coil stays caked in ice instead of clearing every so often.
- Capacitors and contactors: the same small electrical parts that fail on air conditioners.
- Refrigerant leaks: heating and cooling both fade, and the system runs longer every week.
Ice on the Coil, Odd Noises and Backup Strips
A light frost that melts off every 30 to 90 minutes is normal in winter. You may hear a whoosh and see steam when the unit defrosts. A solid block of ice that doesn't clear is not normal, and neither is grinding, squealing or a loud buzz from the outdoor unit.
Most systems also have electric backup strips (often labeled "Aux" or "Em Heat" on the thermostat). In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, temperatures drop to 20°F or below only about two nights a year, so backup heat should rarely run for long. If your thermostat shows Aux most of the day, or your winter bill doubled, the heat pump is probably not doing its share. That's a sign the system needs a repair, not a bigger bill.
Fix a Heat Pump or Replace It?
Electrical parts, sensors, defrost boards and drains are almost always worth repairing. Get a replacement price before paying for a compressor, a reversing valve or a coil on a system older than about 12 years, especially if it has needed refrigerant more than once.
Heat pump service in Myrtle Beach, SC is easiest to book in fall, before the first cold snap. If you're replacing anyway, ask about matching the indoor and outdoor units. A new outdoor unit on an old air handler can work against itself.
Thermostat stuck on Aux heat? Get the heat pump checked.
Call (854) 458-6674What Drives the Bill
Heat pump repairs typically cost $160 to $650. The service call is usually $75 to $250 of that. Refrigerant work, reversing valves and compressor jobs sit at the top of the range or above it.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Service call or diagnostic visit | $75–$250 |
| Heat pump repair | $160–$650 |
| Capacitor replacement | $150–$400 |
| Compressor replacement | $1,000–$3,000+ |
Typical costs, not quotes. National ranges from Fixr, HomeAdvisor, Modernize and This Old House/Angi; duct cleaning and thermostat figures are local ranges from Today's Homeowner.
Need help with cooling, ducts or another system? See the overview of heating, ventilation and air conditioning problems and typical costs.
Answers for Homeowners
How much does heat pump repair cost?
Most heat pump repairs cost $160 to $650. A service call is typically $75 to $250, and compressor work can run $1,000 to $3,000 or more.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air in heat mode?
It may be in a normal defrost cycle for a few minutes. If it lasts longer, the reversing valve, defrost controls or refrigerant charge are the usual suspects.
Is ice on my heat pump normal?
Light frost that clears during defrost is normal. A thick block of ice that stays for hours means the defrost system or airflow needs attention.
Why is my winter electric bill so high?
The most common cause is backup strip heat doing the work because the heat pump isn't keeping up. Check whether your thermostat shows Aux or Em Heat often.
Should backup heat ever run?
Briefly, during defrost or on the coldest mornings. If Aux heat runs most of the day in a mild winter, the heat pump likely needs a repair.
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
Twice a year is ideal here because it runs for both heating and cooling. Once a year in spring is the minimum.
Cold Air in Heat Mode?
Call now and have an experienced technician look at the heat pump before the next cold night.
Call (854) 458-6674