Heater/AC Problem

[LookBehindYou]

Hello Everyone,

I have electric heat in the house. As of yesterday I noticed when the heat kicks on it will only blow out cool air for a bit, then the heater switches on AUX HEAT (according to the thermostat on the wall). At that point heat will come out. I know this isn't normal as that is usually for when it gets too cold and the regular heat isn't enough. Out of curiosity I turned on the AC and it is blowing the same type of air as the heat, cool but not cold. I went outside and looked at the unit and I can already tell there is an issue. The big fan on the top of it is running but it doesn't sound like the compressor or anything else in there is running.

Any ideas before I have to call an HVAC guy?

 

[Raizinman]

I would say you have a sensor out. Probable cost to repair $180.

 

[boomerang]

Check the fuses.

 

[Billb2]

What was the outdoor temperature and is it a heat pump?

 

[LookBehindYou]

It's been in the 40s today. Yes it is a heat pump. Fuses are good unless there is one in the unit i dont see.

 

[LookBehindYou]

Had a repair guy come out, bad capacitor.

 

[olds]

Had a repair guy come out, bad capacitor.

Start or run?

 

[GobBluth]

Had a repair guy come out, bad capacitor.

I was just about to say this. I had the exact same thing happen to my heat pump system. Kicked over to EM HEAT (Emergency) which I assume is the same as your AUX HEAT.

Probably not something you could have done on your own anyway (I couldn't have).

JR

 

[mindless1]

Heh, I read this thread too late. Motor start/run capacitors are always the first thing to check. $15 capacitor can be installed yourself. Even if that doesn't fix it half the time, it saves you $185 the other half off a ~$200+ bill (if you can't test it or it doesn't look bulged).

 

[LookBehindYou]

Heh, I read this thread too late. Motor start/run capacitors are always the first thing to check. $15 capacitor can be installed yourself. Even if that doesn't fix it half the time, it saves you $185 the other half off a ~$200+ bill (if you can't test it or it doesn't look bulged).

Yeah it was definitely easy to fix, and quite visibile. The top had popped completely off the capacitor. Once screw and the wires just clipped in.

 

[Blackjack200]

Why don't they make heat pumps/AC units like furnaces where you have the little LEDs to tell you what's going on? Or do they?