Is a heat pump worth it in Sarasota?

For most homes, yes. It cools like an AC and heats efficiently on the few cool nights.

Why is steam coming from my outdoor unit?

On cool, damp mornings, that's usually the defrost cycle and is normal.

Heat Pump Repair & Installation in Sarasota, FL

Why they're common here

Sarasota winters are mild, with only occasional cold nights. A heat pump covers those with far less electricity than electric resistance heat, and cools exactly like an AC the rest of the year.

How heating works

In heat mode the outdoor unit pulls heat from the outside air and moves it indoors. On a cold, damp morning the outdoor unit may run a short defrost cycle and give off a little steam; that's normal.

Backup heat strips

Many systems have electric heat strips in the air handler for the coldest mornings. If they run all the time, the heat pump may not be working properly and power bills can jump.

Common repairs

No heat or cooling, a reversing valve stuck in one mode, ice that won't clear from the outdoor unit, capacitor and motor failures, and refrigerant leaks.

Thermostats

Use a thermostat designed for heat pumps, so it doesn't bring on backup heat unnecessarily. See maintenance for settings to check.

Salt air

Outdoor units near the water corrode faster. Rinsing the coil gently with fresh water and regular service help.

Replacing an AC with a heat pump

When an old AC with electric heat strips needs replacing, a heat pump often costs little more and heats more efficiently.

Get help

Tell the technician whether the problem is in heating, cooling or both. Send a request and an AC technician will get in touch.

Emergency heat setting

Many heat pump thermostats have an Emergency Heat setting that uses only the heat strips. It's meant for when the heat pump has failed, and using it otherwise can raise power bills sharply.