Question 1

Why is my heat pump running constantly in winter?

Accepted Answer

Three usual causes. First — auxiliary heat strips engaged because outdoor temperature dropped below the heat pump's capacity envelope (a standard residential heat pump loses capacity below 30°F; if your model is not cold-climate-rated and you are in Apple Valley or Big Bear, the auxiliary heat strips will run constantly on cold mornings, spiking your electric bill). Second — refrigerant leak. The system has lost charge, capacity is reduced, the unit runs longer trying to reach setpoint. Third — defrost cycle malfunctioning, so the outdoor coil is partially iced and capacity is permanently reduced until cleared. Diagnosis is in-person; we charge $89 diagnostic fee, waived if you proceed with repair.

Question 2

What does it mean if my heat pump outdoor unit is icy?

Accepted Answer

Some frost on the outdoor coil in winter heating mode is normal — the coil is colder than ambient air and humidity condenses and freezes on it. The system then runs a defrost cycle every 30–90 minutes to clear it. What is not normal: a thick ice block covering the entire outdoor coil. That means the defrost cycle is not running, which is usually a defrost board failure, defrost sensor failure, reversing valve stuck in heating mode, or refrigerant charge issue. Do not try to chip the ice off — you will damage the coil fins. Turn the system to "off" or "emergency heat" and call us. Most defrost-system repairs run $300–$800 with same-day turnaround.

Question 3

How much does heat pump capacitor replacement cost?

Accepted Answer

Capacitor replacement on a residential heat pump runs $300–$500, typically 30–45 minutes on site. The capacitor is the most common heat pump failure point because it sees high thermal stress (run-cycle heating in summer, defrost-cycle stress in winter) and most builder-grade capacitors are rated for 105°F ambient — well below what attic-closet installs in inland SoCal actually see. We carry common-size capacitors on the truck, so a typical capacitor call is single-visit. We also install high-temp 440 VAC capacitors on every replacement instead of the builder-grade 370 VAC, which roughly doubles service life in attic-closet installs.

Question 4

Should I repair or replace a 12-year-old heat pump?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what failed and what it costs. Rules of thumb we apply: if the system is 12+ years old AND the repair quote is over $1,200, replacement math usually wins. If the compressor failed (any age, $1,800–$4,000+ to replace just the compressor on labor + part), replacement of the whole outdoor unit is almost always the right call — you are spending similar money and getting a new warranty + 17 SEER2 efficiency. If the system uses R-22 refrigerant (any heat pump installed before 2010), replacement is the only path — R-22 is no longer manufactured and recharge runs $90–$140/lb for what is left. Honest take: if you are looking at a $2,000 repair on a 13-year-old heat pump, get a replacement quote first. With current LADWP rebates ($1,250–$2,500/ton), the gap is smaller than you think. Our installation page has 2026 cost ranges.

Question 5

Do you service Mitsubishi / Carrier / Daikin / Lennox heat pumps?

Accepted Answer

All of them. Heat pump repair is what we do every week, and inverter-driven systems require brand-specific diagnostic tools that general HVAC contractors often do not carry. Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat M-Series uses Mitsubishi service codes and Kumo Cloud diagnostics. Carrier Infinity systems require the Infinity touch interface for full fault reporting. Daikin Fit and Daikin Quaternity use D-Checker software for advanced diagnostics. Lennox dual-fuel systems require understanding crossover thermostat logic between heat pump and gas furnace. We carry the diagnostic equipment and the OEM parts contacts for all four brands plus Trane and Bosch.

Question 6

Can a regular HVAC contractor service my Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat?

Accepted Answer

They can attempt it. Whether they can correctly diagnose it is a different question. Mitsubishi inverter systems use a flash-injection compressor with proprietary control logic, and the failure-code structure (P1, P2, P4, P8 codes) maps to specific subsystems that you cannot guess from outside the system. We have been called to second-opinion calls where a non-specialist contractor replaced the wrong board, replaced a compressor that was not the actual problem, or recommended a $4,000 outdoor-unit replacement when the real issue was a $620 defrost board. If your system is Mitsubishi, Daikin, or any inverter-driven brand, the brand-specific diagnostic step is not optional.

Question 7

What if my heat pump uses R-22 refrigerant?

Accepted Answer

Replacement is the only sensible path. R-22 production ended in the U.S. in 2020 and reclaimed-only supply has driven recharge cost to $90–$140 per pound. A 5-pound leak on a 22-year-old R-22 system turns into a $700+ refrigerant ticket — and the leak will recur because the system is at end of life. R-22 systems also typically have R-22-specific copper tubing and oil that is not compatible with R-410A or R-454B retrofits. We will not retrofit R-22 systems to newer refrigerants; we replace as a matched system on R-454B. Replacement cost ranges $9,500–$22,000 depending on tonnage and ducted vs. ductless.

Heat Pump Repair in Southern California

Most common heat pump problems we see

1. Refrigerant leak (slow loss of capacity)

2. Capacitor failure (unit clicks but will not start)

3. Outdoor unit frozen in winter (defrost cycle not running)

4. Reversing valve stuck or failing

5. Thermostat / control board miscommunication

6. Compressor failure (worst case)

When repair makes sense vs. replacement

Same-day repair, regional dispatch

What we bring to a heat pump repair call

Why heat pumps fail differently than AC + gas furnace

Brand-specific repair notes

Composite real-world example

Service area

Frequently Asked Questions

Service Area Dispatch