Heat Pump Repair and Installation in Georgetown, TX
Georgetown HVAC Services provides heat pump repair in Georgetown, TX, along with new system installation. One outdoor unit can both heat and cool your home, so one fault can affect both seasons. Call (737) 221-4420 and we will write the price down before any work starts.
One Unit, Two Jobs
A heat pump does not burn fuel to make heat. It moves existing heat from one place to another, using refrigerant and a compressor.
In summer, it works like a central air conditioner. Refrigerant collects heat from indoor air and releases that heat outdoors.
In winter, a part called the reversing valve changes the refrigerant's direction. The outdoor coil now gathers heat from outside air, and the indoor coil releases it into your ducts. Even cool outdoor air holds some usable heat.
The air from the vents can feel milder than furnace air, and the unit can run longer. Neither sign means a fault on its own.
Why the Outdoor Unit Frosts Over
Frost can form on the outdoor coil during heating mode. The coil runs colder than the outdoor air, so moisture can freeze on its surface.
A heat pump clears this frost with a defrost cycle. The system briefly reverses direction and warms the outdoor coil. You may hear a whoosh, see steam rise, and notice the outdoor fan stop.
All of that can be normal. A light frost that clears on its own needs no action from you.
A thick block of ice is a different story. Ice that covers the coil may point to a failed defrost control, low refrigerant or poor airflow.
Please do not chip the ice away, because the coil fins bend easily. Turn the system off and call us.
What the AUX Light Means
Your thermostat may show AUX or a similar label. This label means that the system has added backup heat. That backup often comes from electric heat strips or a gas furnace.
Backup heat has ordinary uses. It can help during a defrost cycle, on a very cold morning, or after a large thermostat increase.
Long stretches of AUX on a moderate day deserve a closer look. The heat pump may be low on refrigerant, or a sensor or thermostat setting may be wrong. Backup electric heat can also use more electricity than the heat pump alone.
EM HEAT is a separate setting on many thermostats. It runs the backup heat and shuts out the heat pump. Save it for a real breakdown, and call us when you need it.
Heat Pump Symptoms and Possible Causes
The table below lists common complaints. These causes are possible, not certain, and testing confirms the real fault.
| What you notice | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Cool air during heating mode | Defrost cycle, low refrigerant or a reversing valve fault |
| Warm air during cooling mode | Reversing valve fault or a thermostat wiring issue |
| Heavy ice on the outdoor coil | Defrost control fault, low refrigerant or poor airflow |
| AUX stays on during moderate weather | Low refrigerant, a sensor fault or a thermostat setting |
| Unit hums but the fan does not spin | Failed capacitor or fan motor |
| Frequent short cycles | Dirty filter, wrong thermostat setup or an oversized system |
| Breaker trips repeatedly | Electrical fault or a failing compressor |
You can safely check the filter and the thermostat mode. You can also clear leaves from around the outdoor unit. Please leave panels, wiring and refrigerant lines alone.
Refrigerant Work and Repair Pricing
We service heat pumps that use R-410A and R-454B, along with older R-22 systems. Refrigerant runs in a sealed loop, so a low charge may suggest a leak. This work belongs with a technician, not an owner.
Several things shape a heat pump repair price. These include the failed part, the labor, the refrigerant type and the unit's access.
Georgetown HVAC Services writes a flat-rate quote before any work starts. Same-day service covers repairs and diagnostics, and most repairs finish the same day when the part is on the truck. We add no surcharge for nights, weekends or holidays.
Where a Heat Pump Fits, and Where It May Not
Central Texas summers regularly pass 95 degrees F, and winters are mild with occasional cold snaps. That pattern suits a heat pump's strengths. Heavy cooling demand and lighter heating demand both go through one system.
A heat pump's heating output drops as outdoor air gets colder. Backup heat covers those occasional cold mornings, so sizing and backup both matter.
Some owners still want a flame for cold snaps. A dual-fuel setup pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace, so furnace installation may join the plan. Others need only one room handled, where ductless mini-splits may fit better.
Compare a heat pump with AC replacement when your heater is aging too. Both options can appear on the same estimate.
Installing a New Heat Pump
Every installation starts with a Manual J load calculation. Heat pumps need sizing for both seasons, so guessing from the old unit is a poor shortcut.
You will see two ratings on the equipment. SEER2 describes cooling efficiency, and HSPF2 describes heating efficiency. A higher number means less electricity for the same output.
Estimates are free, and they include good, better and best options. HVAC financing is available through third-party lenders, for qualifying customers.
After installation, we check airflow, temperature split and refrigerant charge. We then walk you through the thermostat, including the AUX and EM HEAT labels.
The People Behind the Work
Arthur Thomas owns Georgetown HVAC Services and leads our technicians. He has 15 years of hands-on HVAC experience. We are family-owned, licensed and insured under Texas TDLR license TACLA142610C.
We are a Bryant dealer. Carrier, Lennox and American Standard are our specialties. We also service heat pumps from Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Goodman, Rheem and Trane.
Our customers include homeowners and light-commercial property owners in ZIP codes 78626, 78628 and 78633. We also serve Heritage Oaks, Cimarron Hills, Briarwood and Lakewood Estates, along with nearby Pflugerville and Austin.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my heat pump feel cooler than a furnace?
A heat pump often delivers milder air than a gas furnace, and it may run longer to reach the set temperature. This can be normal behavior. Air that feels truly cold, or a house that keeps losing ground, may point to a fault that we can test for you.
Is steam from my outdoor unit a problem?
Light steam during a defrost cycle can be normal, because melting frost can turn to vapor on the warm coil. Smoke or a burning smell is different, so turn the system off in those cases. Keep clear of the unit and call Georgetown HVAC Services so a technician can check it.
Should I use emergency heat?
Use it only when the heat pump has stopped working and you need heat while waiting for repair. This setting runs backup heat alone, and it can use more electricity. Otherwise, leave the thermostat in normal heat mode and call us so we can diagnose the cause.
Can you repair a heat pump that uses R-22?
Yes, we service older R-22 systems, as well as R-410A and R-454B equipment. Older systems can raise a fair question about repair versus replacement, so we explain both paths after testing. You get a written flat-rate quote and make the decision without pressure from us.
Do heat pumps work during a cold snap?
Yes, though heating output falls as outdoor air gets colder. Backup heat usually takes up the slack, so you may see the AUX light come on. If the home cannot hold temperature with backup running, call us and we will check the system.
Can a heat pump replace both my furnace and my AC?
Yes, one heat pump can heat and cool a home through the same ducts, usually with an indoor air handler and backup heat. We run a Manual J calculation and review your ducts and electrical service during a free estimate. You then compare good, better and best options in writing.
Book Your Heat Pump Repair or Free Estimate
Call Georgetown HVAC Services at (737) 221-4420, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will see the flat-rate price in writing before any work starts.