Heat pumps in Carrboro
A heat pump runs in summer and winter, so it logs more hours than a cooling-only AC. The subdivisions off Homestead Road and Old Fayetteville Road have many systems from the late 1990s and 2000s, and those are now at or past the 12 to 15 years most heat pumps last here.
In the older homes near downtown, heat pumps were often added to houses that started with a different heating system. Some of those installs share ductwork sized for the old equipment, and the airflow problem shows up as a heat pump that runs constantly in January.
Signs something is wrong
- Cold air from the vents in heat mode
- The outdoor unit stays covered in ice for more than an hour
- Aux heat or emergency heat showing on the thermostat most of the day
- A winter power bill $100 or more higher than the same month last year
If you rent
Call your landlord or property manager first. Under North Carolina General Statute 42-42, heat the landlord supplies has to be kept in good working order.
Typical heat pump repair costs
| Repair | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $89 to $150 |
| Capacitor replacement | $150 to $400 |
| Defrost control board | $300 to $700 |
| Backup heat strip or sequencer | $250 to $700 |
| Reversing valve | $1,200 to $2,500 |
Is steam from my outdoor unit normal?
Yes. On cold, damp mornings the heat pump runs a defrost cycle, stops the outdoor fan and melts frost off the coil, which sends up a cloud of steam for a few minutes.
Read more about Heat pump repair across the area or HVAC in Carrboro.