🔧 Heat Pump Repair
Heat Pump Repair: Symptoms, Safe Checks and Real Ontario Costs
Heat pump repair for homes in Halton, Hamilton and Brantford, including Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Cambridge and Caistor Centre.
Heat pump repair starts with a diagnosis, not a guess. This page shows which symptoms you can check safely, which ones mean stop and call, and what repairs usually cost in Ontario. Then you can decide whether to book a visit.
25+ years of experience TSSA licensed & certified Serving Halton, Hamilton and Brantford
Quick Triage
Stop or check first?
Pick what you notice right now. Choose the closest match and we will tell you whether to stop, check first, or relax.
01
I smell burning, or see smoke or sparks
Turn the system off and call now. Switch it off at the thermostat and at the breaker. A burning smell or sparks needs a technician before the system runs again.
02
The outdoor unit is covered in ice that is not clearing
Leave the ice alone and call. Ice that stays after a defrost cycle points to a fault. Do not chip it off with tools.
03
The breaker keeps tripping
Do not reset the breaker again. One reset is fine. A breaker that trips again means a fault, so leave the system off and call.
04
I hear loud buzzing or clicking, or the fan runs with no heat
Switch the system off and call. Loud buzzing or clicking, or a fan that runs with no heat, can mean a failed electrical part or compressor. Running it can add damage.
05
The air is weak or cool, but the unit runs normally
Run the safe checks, then book. Confirm the thermostat mode, replace a dirty filter and clear the area around the outdoor unit. If the air is still weak or cool, book a visit.
06
It will not turn on at all
Check the thermostat and the breaker once. Confirm the thermostat is set to heat and has power. Reset the breaker once. If it still will not start, call us.
07
Steam rises from the outdoor unit and its fan stopped
This is probably normal defrost. Steam and a stopped outdoor fan are normal for a few minutes. Defrost usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes. If ice remains afterward, call us.
Symptoms
Which Heat Pump Repair Problem Do You Have?
Most calls start with one of these common symptoms. Match yours below to see the usual causes and the one safe step to try first.
Not sure which one is yours? Call (905) 689-3777 and describe what you see.
Weak or no heat
Weak or No Heat
Weak heat often traces back to a dirty filter, the wrong thermostat mode or a blocked outdoor unit. Deeper causes include low refrigerant, a failed capacitor or a faulty reversing valve.
First, check the filter, the thermostat mode and the area around the outdoor unit. If the fan runs but the air stays cool, call us. Related reading: why a heat pump might blow only warm air.
Ice or frost
Ice or Frost on the Outdoor Unit
Light frost is normal in winter because the unit defrosts itself. Ice that stays after a defrost cycle points to a sensor or control fault, blocked coils or low refrigerant.
Gently clear loose snow and leaves, and never chip at the ice with a tool. If thick ice remains, turn the system off and call us.
Strange noises