Heat pumps are increasingly popular in Georgia because they provide both cooling and heating efficiently. But when winter arrives and your heat pump starts blowing lukewarm or cold air, it can be confusing and uncomfortable. Understanding how heat pumps work differently from furnaces is key to diagnosing the problem.
How Heat Pumps Heat Your Home
Unlike a furnace that burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor air and transfers it inside. Yes, even cold outdoor air contains heat energy. The heat pump uses refrigerant to absorb this heat and release it into your home.
This process works well in Georgia's mild winters. However, as outdoor temperatures drop below 35–40°F, heat pump efficiency decreases. Below 25–30°F, most standard heat pumps struggle to keep up.
Common Reasons Your Heat Pump Isn't Heating
It's in Defrost Mode — Heat pumps periodically reverse their cycle to defrost the outdoor coil. During defrost, the system temporarily blows cool air. This is normal and should last only 5–15 minutes. If defrost cycles are frequent or prolonged, there may be a problem.
Stuck Reversing Valve — The reversing valve switches the heat pump between heating and cooling modes. If it's stuck in cooling mode, your system will blow cold air when it should be heating. This requires professional repair.
Low Refrigerant — Just like in cooling mode, low refrigerant reduces the system's ability to transfer heat. In heating mode, this means less heat is extracted from outdoor air.
Outdoor Unit Is Iced Over — Some ice on the outdoor unit is normal in winter. But if the entire unit is encased in ice, the defrost system has failed. This could be a bad defrost control board, a stuck reversing valve, or a failed defrost sensor.
Auxiliary Heat Isn't Working — Most heat pump systems have auxiliary (backup) heat — either electric resistance strips or a gas furnace. If your heat pump can't keep up in very cold weather and the auxiliary heat has failed, your home won't reach temperature.
Thermostat Set to "Cool" — It sounds obvious, but we've seen it many times. Double-check that your thermostat is set to "heat" mode, not "cool" or "off."
Heat Pump vs. Dual-Fuel: Which Is Better for Georgia?
For most Georgia homes, a standard heat pump handles 90% of winter days comfortably. But for those occasional nights when temperatures drop into the teens or twenties, a dual-fuel system — which pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace — provides the best of both worlds. The heat pump handles mild weather efficiently, and the furnace kicks in when temperatures drop below the heat pump's effective range.
If you're considering a new system, ask us about dual-fuel installation options or heat pump installation in Carrollton with professional sizing for Georgia weather.
When to Call for Heat Pump Repair
Heat pump problems? All Seasons repairs all heat pump brands throughout Carrollton, Newnan, and Villa Rica. If replacement is on the table, review heat pump installation in Carrollton and ductless mini split installation for zoning. Call (770) 809-1355.