Heat Pump Repair &
Maintenance in San Francisco
Fast, accurate diagnosis. Genuine parts. Technicians who know San Francisco's housing stock and the systems installed in it. Whether your heat pump isn't heating, isn't cooling, is making unusual noises, or has simply stopped turning on — we'll find the problem and fix it right.
Common Heat Pump Problems We Diagnose and Fix
Some issues are simple fixes; others signal a system nearing the end of its life. We give you an honest assessment every time.
Not Heating or Cooling
Could be a refrigerant charge issue, a failing compressor, a bad reversing valve, or a control board problem. We pinpoint the exact cause before recommending any repair — we don't replace parts on speculation.
Short Cycling (Turning On & Off Rapidly)
Short cycling is hard on the compressor and dramatically reduces efficiency. Common causes include refrigerant overcharge, dirty coils, incorrect system sizing, or a failing thermostat. Each has a different fix.
Ice on the Indoor or Outdoor Unit
Some frost on the outdoor coil in heating mode is normal — the defrost cycle clears it automatically. Ice accumulation indoors, or ice that doesn't clear, usually indicates low refrigerant, a dirty air filter, or restricted airflow.
Unusual Noises
Grinding suggests a failing motor bearing. Hissing or bubbling often means a refrigerant leak. Banging or clanking points to a loose or failed component in the compressor or blower assembly. Squealing usually means a worn belt or bearing.
Not Reaching Temperature
In San Francisco's foggy microclimates — particularly on the west side, the hills, and Twin Peaks — a heat pump working in sustained 50–55°F ambient temperatures needs to be properly sized and fully charged. We verify both.
Water Leaks / Condensate Issues
Heat pumps produce condensate in cooling mode. A blocked condensate drain, a cracked condensate pan, or an improperly sloped drain line can result in water damage. In high-rise buildings, improperly routed drains are a common source of inter-unit water complaints.
Annual Maintenance Tune-Up
Heat pumps operate year-round — unlike furnaces that sit idle all summer, a heat pump in San Francisco switches between heating and cooling modes continuously as the fog comes and goes. This means wear accumulates steadily, and annual maintenance isn't optional — it's the difference between a 15-year system life and a 12-year one.
San Francisco's coastal air is particularly hard on outdoor units. Salt-laden fog accelerates corrosion on coil fins, electrical connectors, and refrigerant fittings. An annual inspection catches early corrosion before it becomes a failure, and a thorough coil cleaning restores heat transfer efficiency that can degrade 5–10% per year in coastal conditions.
Our annual maintenance visit covers the complete system — not a 20-minute filter swap. We inspect every component, measure operating pressures and temperatures against manufacturer specs, verify electrical connections and capacitor health, clean both coils, test defrost operation, and calibrate thermostat response. We provide a written report of findings so you have a clear picture of your system's condition.
Annual Tune-Up Includes:
Brands We Service
Our Diagnostic Approach
We don't shotgun repairs — replacing parts until the problem goes away. Every service call begins with a systematic diagnostic that measures actual system performance against manufacturer specs. You get a written explanation of the root cause and a clear quote before any repair work begins.
- Diagnosis fee applied toward repair if you proceed
- No repair recommended without clear evidence of failure
- Honest advice when repair is not cost-effective
- Written estimate before any parts are ordered
Repair FAQ
Heat Pump Not Working? Call Us.
Fast scheduling, honest diagnostics, and repairs that last. We service all major brands throughout San Francisco.