Heat Pump Repair Across Puget Sound

A heat pump runs year round, which means when it fails you might lose heating or cooling depending on the season. Because it reverses to do both jobs, a heat pump has parts a straight AC does not, like the reversing valve and the defrost control, and diagnosing them takes someone who understands how the system switches modes.

Common heat pump problems in Puget Sound include a unit stuck in defrost, ice building on the outdoor coil in winter, a stuck reversing valve leaving you with the wrong mode, and low refrigerant. We diagnose the actual fault, explain it plainly, and quote the repair before we touch it. This page covers what the call includes and the signs to watch for.

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What a heat pump repair call includes

We test the full system in both modes: the reversing valve and its solenoid, the defrost board and sensors, the compressor and outdoor fan, refrigerant pressures, and the auxiliary or backup heat if the system has it. Heat pumps fail in ways a straight AC cannot, so the diagnosis is broader.

If the outdoor coil is icing, we determine whether it is a defrost-control fault, a sensor problem, low charge, or airflow, because the fix is completely different for each.

Reversing valve and solenoid testing
Defrost board, sensor, and cycle verification
Refrigerant pressure readings and leak search in both modes
Compressor, capacitor, and outdoor fan checks
Auxiliary and backup heat staging verification
Written repair cost before work begins

Signs your heat pump needs service

A little frost on the outdoor unit in cold weather is normal and clears on the defrost cycle. A thick, persistent block of ice that does not clear is not normal and points to a defrost or charge problem. If the system blows cold air when it should be heating, or warm air when it should be cooling, the reversing valve is a prime suspect.

Heat pumps often lean on electric auxiliary heat when the compressor cannot keep up. If your electric bill spikes and the aux heat runs constantly, something in the heat-pump side may have failed even though the house still feels warm.

Signs to watch for

Thick ice on the outdoor unit that does not clear
Blowing cold air in heat mode or warm air in cool mode
Auxiliary or emergency heat running far more than it should
The outdoor unit runs but the house is not reaching setpoint
Loud clunking when the system switches modes
The breaker trips or the outdoor fan will not start

What heat pump repair costs and what drives it

Electrical parts like capacitors and contactors are inexpensive. Defrost boards and sensors are moderate. A stuck reversing valve or a compressor is a larger repair, and a failed compressor on an older heat pump is often a replacement decision.

We quote before repairing, and if a major repair lands on an aging unit we compare it against a new cold-climate heat pump that would qualify for current rebates.

What drives the range

Which component failed and its parts cost
Reversing valve or compressor involvement
Refrigerant type and whether a leak repair is needed
Age of the system and parts availability
Emergency or after-hours timing

How a repair call works

1
Same-day diagnosis
We test both heating and cooling modes to find the real fault, with emergency availability for no-heat and no-cool situations.
2
Written estimate
You get the repair cost up front, plus a repair-versus-replace read that accounts for current heat pump rebates if the unit is old.
3
Repair
With your approval we complete the fix, repair leaks rather than just recharging, and verify defrost and mode switching.
4
Verify both modes
We confirm the system heats and cools correctly and that defrost and aux-heat staging work before we close out.

Repairs are backed by our workmanship warranty, and replacement parts carry their own manufacturer coverage. If your heat pump is still within its parts warranty, we help you use that coverage rather than charging you for parts the manufacturer owes.

Brands we work on

Mitsubishi Electric
Daikin
Bosch
Carrier
Lennox
Trane

Heat Pump Repair questions, answered

Why is my heat pump covered in ice?

Light frost that clears on the defrost cycle is normal in cold weather. A thick, lasting block of ice is not, and usually points to a failed defrost control or sensor, low refrigerant, or blocked airflow. We diagnose which before it stresses the compressor.

My heat pump is blowing cold air in winter. Why?

It could be a stuck reversing valve leaving the system in cooling mode, a defrost cycle in progress, or a compressor that has stopped. If it is only during a brief defrost it is normal. If it persists, the reversing valve or compressor is the likely cause.

Why is my auxiliary heat running so much?

Aux heat is electric-resistance backup that kicks in when the heat pump cannot keep up. If it runs constantly, the heat pump side may have low charge, a stuck valve, or a compressor fault, and your electric bill will show it. That is worth diagnosing.

Do you offer emergency heat pump repair?

Yes. Because a heat pump provides both heating and cooling, we treat no-heat and no-cool calls as emergencies and are reachable from 7 AM to 10 PM every day.

Is my heat pump repair covered under warranty?

Many heat pumps carry a 10-year parts warranty when registered. If yours is in that window, we help you use the coverage so you are only paying for labor rather than parts the manufacturer already covers.

Related services

We serve homeowners across eight Puget Sound counties, Everett to Puyallup. See our full service area.

Authorized dealer for all major brands

We repair all major brands, whether or not we installed the system.

Same-day service

Need heat pump repair? Start today.

Call between 7 AM and 10 PM, any day of the week, and you talk to us, not an answering service. Same-day estimates, upfront ranges, and financing available.

Call (425) 818-0768

Licensed and insured, WA CAPACHC7520D. Open 7 AM to 10 PM, every day.

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