Heat Pump Repair & Installation in Newark and Licking County
Modern heat pumps work in Ohio winters, but only when they are chosen and set up for them. We repair every major brand and install systems that actually keep up in January.
Do heat pumps work in Ohio?
They do, and the question comes up on almost every estimate. A heat pump moves heat instead of making it. In winter it pulls heat from outdoor air and moves it inside; in summer it runs in reverse and works like an air conditioner. Older heat pumps lost most of their capacity once temperatures dropped into the twenties, which is where the reputation came from. Current cold-climate models keep producing useful heat well below zero.
In Licking County, the right answer depends on your fuel. In homes on natural gas, a dual-fuel setup, with a heat pump plus a gas furnace for the coldest days, usually gives the lowest operating cost. In rural homes on propane or all-electric heat, a cold-climate heat pump can cut heating costs sharply.
Many of the all-electric homes we see around Hebron and Buckeye Lake were built with electric furnaces or baseboard heat. Those homeowners open their January electric bill and wince. Swapping an electric furnace for a properly sized heat pump is one of the few upgrades we recommend that pays for itself in a handful of winters.
Common heat pump repairs
- Stuck in defrost or iced over. Some frost in winter is normal, and the unit clears it with a defrost cycle. A unit encased in ice points to a defrost control, sensor or airflow problem.
- Blowing cool air in heat mode. Often a reversing valve, a low refrigerant charge or an auxiliary heat problem.
- Running constantly. A heat pump runs longer cycles than a furnace by design, but one that never shuts off may be low on charge or undersized.
- Tripping breakers. Frequently the backup electric heat strips, which draw a lot of power.
- Loud outdoor unit. Failing fan motors, loose panels or a compressor that is struggling to start.
The most common "my heat pump is broken" call we get in January is a unit steaming after a defrost cycle. Homeowners see what looks like smoke coming off the outdoor unit. It is water vapor from the coil melting its frost, and it means the system is working exactly as designed.
Heat pump iced up or blowing cold?
Call and we will help you tell a normal defrost cycle from a real problem.
Installation done for our climate
A heat pump that works well in Ohio starts with the same load calculation we use for furnaces, plus attention to a few details that matter in cold weather:
- Setting the outdoor unit on a raised pad or stand so it clears snow and can drain defrost water.
- Choosing a cold-climate model when the heat pump will carry the house alone.
- Setting the balance point on dual-fuel systems so the furnace takes over at the temperature that costs you the least.
- Checking that the ductwork can carry the steadier, lower-temperature air a heat pump delivers.
For homes without ductwork, a ductless mini-split is the heat pump version that fits.
Heat pump or furnace?
Neither is right for every house. If you have natural gas and a healthy furnace, adding a heat pump when your old air conditioner fails is often the smartest move. If you are on propane or electric heat, a heat pump deserves a serious look. We will run the operating cost numbers for your home and fuel, not a national average. Typical installed prices are in our cost guide.
Heat pump questions
Will a heat pump keep my house warm below zero?
A cold-climate heat pump keeps producing heat well below zero, though at reduced capacity. For homes on natural gas, a dual-fuel system with a furnace backup is the most comfortable and economical setup for our coldest nights.
Is it normal for my heat pump to have frost on it?
Light frost in winter is normal. The system runs a defrost cycle to clear it, and you may see steam coming off the unit. If the outdoor coil is solidly encased in ice, call us.
How much does a heat pump cost in Licking County?
A ducted air-source heat pump typically runs about $5,000 to $9,000 installed, and a dual-fuel system with a new furnace often runs $7,000 to $12,000. See the cost guide for more detail.
Can I add a heat pump to my existing furnace?
Often yes. If your furnace is in good shape, we can replace your air conditioner with a heat pump and wire the two together as a dual-fuel system.
How long do heat pumps last?
Because they run year-round, heat pumps typically last about 12 to 16 years, a bit less than a furnace. Annual maintenance extends that.
Related heating and cooling options
Furnace Replacement
Right-sized gas, propane and electric furnaces with the permit pulled for you.
Learn more →Ductless Mini-Splits
Heating and cooling for additions, attics, garages and homes without ducts.
Learn more →AC Replacement
New central air sized with a real load calculation, not a guess.
Learn more →Tune-Ups & Maintenance
Fall furnace and spring AC tune-ups that catch small problems early.
Learn more →Talk to us about a heat pump
Calling is the fastest way to get on the schedule. Tell us what the system is doing and we will tell you what it probably is, what it probably costs and when we can be there.
(740) 527-0222Rather not call right now? Leave your name and number and we will call you back.
Request a call back
We usually call back within the hour during business hours.