No heating
The system won't switch into heat, runs cold or supplements with backup constantly.
Heat Pumps / Heat Pump Repair
Heat Pump RepairCareful diagnostics and dependable repairs for cold-climate, ducted and ductless heat pumps — heating and cooling, all year round.
— Common Heat Pump Problems
Symptoms we diagnose across GTA homes.
Heat pumps tend to fail in predictable ways — especially when they're doing double duty as heating and cooling. These are the issues we're most often called out to across the GTA.
No cooling
The outdoor unit runs but the home isn't cooling, or airflow feels warm at the registers.
Ice buildup
Excessive frost or ice on the outdoor coil that doesn't clear during a defrost cycle.
Low refrigerant
Reduced capacity, longer run times and short-cycling — often a sign of a refrigerant leak that needs finding, not just topping up.
Electrical faults
Tripped breakers, blown fuses, contactor issues or communication faults between indoor and outdoor units.
Defrost cycle problems
Defrosts too often, not often enough or gets stuck — leaving the coil iced and heat output poor.
Thermostat issues
Communicating thermostats losing connection, staging incorrectly or calling for backup heat unnecessarily.
Poor airflow
Weak airflow at the registers, imbalanced rooms or a blower that struggles to keep up.
Unusual noises
Rattles, buzzing, vibration or new sounds from the compressor, fan motor or reversing valve.
System won't run
No response at the thermostat, control board faults or safety lockouts we translate and resolve properly.
— Our Diagnostic Process
Diagnosed properly, before it's repaired.
Heat pump work rewards patience. Every service call follows the same steady process — whether it's a stuck defrost cycle or a deeper refrigerant issue.
- 01
Inspection
A careful visual review of the outdoor unit, indoor air handler or coil, refrigerant lines, controls and electrical.
- 02
Testing
Refrigerant pressures, temperature splits, electrical measurements and defrost operation checked in real running conditions.
- 03
Diagnosis
A clear, plain-language explanation of what's happening in your system — and why.
- 04
Repair options
Honest options with the trade-offs of each explained, including when doing nothing is the right call.
- 05
Transparent pricing
Written pricing before any work begins. No surprises when the invoice arrives.
- 06
Verification after repair
Heating and cooling modes re-tested, staging confirmed and airflow verified before we leave.
— Why Homeowners Choose Proper HVAC
Heat pump repair you can trust.
Heat-pump-literate technicians
Comfortable with cold-climate, ducted, ductless and dual-fuel systems from major manufacturers.
Clear communication
Straightforward explanations before, during and after every visit.
Quality workmanship
Repairs completed properly the first time and verified in both heating and cooling modes.
Respect for your home
Boot covers, drop cloths and tidy work — always.
Repair-first philosophy
We fix what can be fixed and only recommend replacement when it's genuinely the better choice.
Honest recommendations
The work your system actually needs — nothing added, nothing exaggerated.
— Repair vs Replacement
Fix it, or replace it?
Most heat pumps should be repaired, not replaced. Eventually, though, a new cold-climate heat pump or dual-fuel system becomes the better long-term investment. Here's how we think about it.
— Repair usually makes sense when
A repair keeps a good system running.
- The heat pump is under 10 years old
- The repair is minor or moderate in cost
- The system has been reliable overall
- Heating and cooling performance is still good
— Replacement may be the better investment when
A new heat pump delivers real long-term value.
- The system is 12–15+ years old
- Repair cost approaches a significant share of replacement
- Breakdowns or refrigerant leaks are becoming frequent
- Efficiency, comfort or cold-weather output is clearly declining
— FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
What Ontario homeowners ask us most often about heat pump repairs.
Still not sure? Contact us and we'll help you decide the right next step.
No-heat calls typically come down to a defrost fault, low refrigerant charge, an electrical or control issue, or a thermostat that's staging the system incorrectly. A technician can identify the exact cause and confirm whether it's a quick fix or something more involved.
In cooling mode, common causes include low refrigerant, a stuck reversing valve, a failing capacitor or contactor, a dirty outdoor coil or a blower that isn't moving enough air. We diagnose the whole system rather than guessing at the symptom.
A light frost is normal in cold weather — the defrost cycle should clear it. Heavy or persistent ice usually means low refrigerant, a defrost control problem, restricted airflow or a failed sensor. It's worth diagnosing early so it doesn't damage the coil.
Refrigerant is meant to stay sealed in the system. If a heat pump is low, there is a leak somewhere. We locate the leak, repair it and recharge the system to spec — rather than simply topping it up and waiting for the next call.
Modern heat pumps display fault codes for communication issues, refrigerant faults, sensor problems and defrost errors. We'll translate the code, identify the underlying cause and correct it — not just clear the fault and hope it doesn't come back.
Cold-climate heat pumps run longer than furnaces by design — that's normal. Continuous running that isn't keeping up usually indicates low refrigerant, a defrost issue, undersized equipment or a thermostat calling for backup heat instead of the heat pump.
It depends on age, the nature of the repair and overall reliability. Systems in the 12–15+ year range with a significant repair on the horizon are often better replaced with a modern cold-climate heat pump — sometimes as part of a dual-fuel setup.
Yes. We service ducted heat pumps and ductless mini-splits — single-head and multi-zone — from major manufacturers, along with dual-fuel systems paired with a furnace.
Yes. A heat pump is one system that does both jobs. We test heating and cooling in the same visit to make sure the repair holds up across both modes.
Proper HVAC provides heat pump repair for homeowners throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, York, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville and Brampton.
— Get Started
Need Heat Pump Repair?
Book a visit online, ask about financing for a larger repair or replacement, or join ProperCare for ongoing peace of mind.
Or call 416-580-HEAT (4328)