Heat Pump & Heating Repair in Lake Charles, LA
Winters here are short, but a cold snap still finds a weak heating system. Most Lake Charles homes heat with a heat pump or a gas furnace paired with the AC.
Request an HVAC technicianHeat pump blowing cool air
In heating mode a heat pump's air feels warm rather than hot. If it's truly cold, the system may be stuck in cooling, low on refrigerant, or in a defrost cycle.
Defrost cycles
On cold, damp mornings the outdoor unit can frost up. A working heat pump melts it off every so often, and you may see steam. If the unit stays covered in ice, it needs a technician.
Auxiliary heat
Electric backup heat strips help on the coldest mornings. If the thermostat shows aux heat running all the time, power bills climb; that's worth a service visit.
Gas furnaces
Pilot or ignition problems, a dirty flame sensor and blocked filters are common causes of no heat. Any gas smell means leaving the house and contacting the gas company from outside.
Carbon monoxide
Homes with gas heat should have working carbon monoxide alarms near bedrooms. Test them when you test smoke alarms.
Before the first cold front
Run the heat for a few minutes in fall to burn off dust and make sure it works. See the HVAC calendar.
Emergency heat
The 'emergency heat' setting runs only the backup strips. Use it only if the heat pump has failed, because it's the most expensive way to heat.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a heat pump enough for Lake Charles winters?
- For most homes, yes. Backup heat covers the occasional hard freeze.
- Why does my heat smell burnt the first time I use it?
- Dust burning off the heat strips or burner. It should clear in a few minutes. A smell that lingers needs checking.
Other HVAC services
Need heat pumps & heating in the Lake Area?
Send a request and a HVAC technician will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.
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