Heat Pump Repair in Burnaby, BC
Pre-call emergency checklist, symptom guide, Lower Mainland repair costs, and licensed technicians in Burnaby.
Emergency service needed?
Work through the checklist below first — about 1 in 5 service calls turns out to be a tripped breaker, clogged filter, or thermostat setting.
Burnaby's dense condo and townhouse stock makes strata-specific service experience essential.
A significant portion of Burnaby's heat pump stock is in strata buildings — condos and townhouses where outdoor unit access requires coordination and noise-related service calls are common. Condo mini-split units in humid coastal conditions develop condensate drain issues frequently. For strata repairs, confirm your contractor is familiar with strata access procedures and building bylaw requirements around service windows.
Most common Burnaby repair issues
- 1.Condensate drain clog (indoor water leak in condos)
- 2.Strata access and noise-related service complications
- 3.Fan motor failure causing noise complaints
Before You Call a Technician
Run through these steps first. They resolve ~20% of service calls and save you a diagnostic fee.
Check the breaker
Find the dedicated heat pump breaker in your panel. Flip it fully OFF, then ON. If it trips immediately again, stop — call an electrician.
Check thermostat settings
Confirm it's set to HEAT (not COOL or FAN), the set temperature is above room temperature, and batteries are fresh. Many "no heat" calls are thermostat mode errors.
Check the filter
Ductless: pop open the indoor unit cover and check the filter. Ducted: find your air handler filter. A fully clogged filter causes safety shutdown. Replace or wash it.
Clear the outdoor unit
Remove snow, leaves, or debris within 30cm on the sides and 60cm at the front (discharge direction). Check that the unit isn't buried in snow.
Check for error codes
Most modern units display error codes on the indoor unit display or blink a fault pattern. Note the code before calling — it tells the technician what to bring.
For an iced outdoor unit
Switch to FAN-ONLY mode for 20–30 minutes to let it defrost. If it re-ices within an hour of defrosting, you have a defrost system issue.
Check for recent power outages
Some units require a manual reset after a power interruption. Turn the unit off at the thermostat or remote, wait 30 seconds, turn back on.
Symptom Guide
Common heat pump symptoms, likely causes, and what to try before calling.
Blowing cold air in heat mode
Medium priorityLikely Cause
Active defrost cycle (normal), stuck reversing valve, or low refrigerant
Try First
Wait 5–10 minutes — defrost cycles are normal and temporary
Call If...
Cold air continues after 10 min, or happens repeatedly throughout the day
Outdoor unit heavily iced over
High priorityLikely Cause
Defrost board/sensor failure, blocked airflow, or low refrigerant
Try First
Switch to fan-only for 20–30 min to defrost. Clear debris around unit.
Call If...
Unit re-ices within an hour, or ice covers the entire coil and fan
Mini split dripping water indoors
Medium priorityLikely Cause
Clogged condensate drain — common in humid BC climates
Try First
Flush condensate drain line with diluted vinegar. Check for blockage at drain outlet.
Call If...
Water is pooling, not just dripping. Mold visible in the unit.
Unit not turning on at all
High priorityLikely Cause
Tripped breaker, failed capacitor, communication fault, or burned contactor
Try First
Reset breaker once. Check thermostat batteries. Try unplugging remote and re-pairing.
Call If...
Breaker trips again, or unit still won't start after breaker reset
Grinding or squealing noise
Medium priorityLikely Cause
Fan motor bearing wear, loose fan blade, or debris in outdoor unit
Try First
Inspect outdoor unit for sticks, leaves, or debris caught in the fan. Turn unit off first.
Call If...
Noise persists after clearing debris, or you hear grinding from the compressor area
Short cycling (frequent on/off)
Medium priorityLikely Cause
Oversized unit, low refrigerant, dirty filter, or refrigerant metering issue
Try First
Check and clean the filter. Ensure all registers and vents are open.
Call If...
More than 4-6 short cycles per hour after filter is clean
Runs constantly but can't reach set temperature
Low priorityLikely Cause
Below unit's rated operating temperature, low refrigerant, poor insulation, or undersized system
Try First
Check outdoor temp vs unit's rated minimum. Seal obvious drafts. Check filter.
Call If...
Outdoor temp is within unit's range but performance is still poor
Musty or mold smell
Low priorityLikely Cause
Dirty evaporator coil, mold in condensate pan, or clogged drain
Try First
Clean the indoor unit filter. Run unit on cooling mode to flush condensate.
Call If...
Smell persists after filter cleaning. Visible mold on the indoor unit.
Backup heat not activating (hybrid system)
High priorityLikely Cause
Thermostat changeover threshold setting, failed gas valve, or communication fault
Try First
Check thermostat for manual override to backup heat mode.
Call If...
Cannot manually switch to backup heat — this is an emergency in cold weather
Repair Costs in Burnaby (2026)
Typical Lower Mainland labour and parts rates. Emergency or after-hours calls add $150–$250 to any service visit.
| Repair | Lower Mainland |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $100–$200 |
| Capacitor replacement | $250–$450 |
| Fan motor (indoor or outdoor) | $700–$1,200 |
| Refrigerant leak — detect & repair | $900–$2,500 |
| Defrost board or sensor | $350–$650 |
| Control board replacement | $900–$1,800 |
| Condensate drain service | $150–$350 |
| Reversing valve | $600–$1,200 |
| Compressor replacement | $2,500–$4,500 |
| Annual tune-up | $150–$300 |
Costs include parts and labour. Brand-specific parts (Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu) may run higher. Always get a written estimate before authorizing work.
Heat Pump Technicians in Burnaby
Licensed contractors serving Burnaby. Always confirm they hold a current Technical Safety BC refrigeration licence before booking.
ROMA Heating & Cooling
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-924-7273
Services:
Brands:
Mitsubishi, Daikin, Lennox, Trane, Carrier, Fujitsu, Bosch, LG
Service area: Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver. Serving Metro Vancouver since 1999; 50 staff; Red Seal certified; residential + commercial + government; boiler services; 24/7; CAUTION: shares listed address with HeatLand and Nest Heating
View Details →Penguin HVAC
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-653-3044
Services:
Brands:
Daikin
Service area: Vancouver, Burnaby, Lower Mainland. Founded 2019; Daikin premier brand with 10-year warranty; residential and commercial; $6K-$20K range noted
View Details →BCRC Heating and Cooling
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-781-7272
Services:
Service area: Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam. FortisBC Trade Ally; 10+ years experience; 24/7; boiler installation offered
View Details →HeatLand Heating & Air Conditioning
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-330-3812
Services:
Brands:
Lennox, Trane
Service area: Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Delta. Lennox Premier Dealer; FortisBC Trade Ally; BC Safety Authority member; CAUTION: shares listed address with ROMA Heating and Nest Heating — recommend independent verification
View Details →Nest Heating & Air Conditioning
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-210-8817
Services:
Brands:
Lennox, Navien
Service area: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Delta, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford. Lennox Authorized Dealer; tankless water heater services; 10+ years; CAUTION: shares listed address with ROMA Heating and HeatLand — recommend independent verification
View Details →Nation Furnace Heating & Air Conditioning HVAC Ltd.
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-299-5006
Services:
Service area: Surrey, Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Langley. Serving Metro Vancouver since 2003; residential and commercial; boiler + furnace + heat pump + gas fireplace + air duct services; Mon-Sun 8AM-8PM
View Details →Pro Ace Heating and Air Conditioning
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-293-3770
Services:
Service area: Surrey, Burnaby, Vancouver, Lower Mainland. In business since 1995; Class A/B gas fitters; licensed refrigerant handling; covers all Surrey town centres; 24/7; EV charger installation also offered
View Details →CP Heating (Canadian Pacific Heating & Cooling)
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-256-7797
Services:
Service area: Burnaby, Vancouver, Delta, Langley, White Rock, Abbotsford. 15+ years in Burnaby; same-day appointments; 24/7 emergency; licensed and insured; CleanBC rebate assistance confirmed
View Details →Joyce Heating Services Ltd.
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-434-7747
Services:
Brands:
Lennox, American Standard, Goodman
Service area: Burnaby, Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Maple Ridge. Family owned since 1960; Lennox + American Standard + Goodman dealer; free estimates; West Vancouver to Maple Ridge coverage
View Details →Angels Heating Cooling & Plumbing
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-969-7770
Services:
Service area: Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond, Lower Mainland. BBB Accredited since 2019; in business since 2000; plumbing also offered; residential focus; boiler + heat pump + furnace + tankless
View Details →Alfa Services
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-899-9989
Services:
Service area: Langley, Burnaby, Vancouver, Lower Mainland. Fully licensed insured bonded; multi-million liability coverage; electrical + gas + HVAC combined; EV charger installation also offered; boiler + furnace + heat pump + water filtration; Langley Township service confirmed
View Details →Whyte Mechanical
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-628-4826
Services:
Service area: North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, West Vancouver, Lower Mainland. Founded 2018 by Conor Whyte; 30+ years combined experience; North Shore residential specialist; licensed gas fitters; heat pump + plumbing + furnace + AC; premium craftsmanship focus
View Details →Lambert Plumbing & Heating Ltd.
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-734-0890
Services:
Service area: North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey. Originally Bob Lambert Heating since 1977; family-owned; 24/7 emergency; full plumbing + heating + cooling + drain cleaning; boiler + heat pump + forced air; rebate guidance offered
View Details →Milani Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning
Burnaby, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-430-2603
Services:
Brands:
Daikin
Service area: New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Lower Mainland. Since 1956; largest full-service plumbing + HVAC company in Greater Vancouver; 100+ vehicle fleet; BBB Accredited; Master Group Daikin dealer; 24/7 emergency; residential + commercial + strata
View Details →Brand-Specific Repair for Burnaby
Looking for a technician certified on a specific brand? Use the brand pages to find authorized dealers and service technicians.
Full Service Guide
DIY maintenance schedule, when to repair vs. replace, and how to verify technician credentials.
Home Assessment Checklist
If your heat pump is underperforming (not failing), walk through this 30-minute assessment before calling.
Burnaby Install Guide
Climate data, installation costs, and recommended systems for Burnaby homeowners.
Disclaimer
Repair cost estimates are illustrative based on 2026 BC market data. Actual costs depend on brand, part availability, and access complexity. Always obtain a written estimate before authorizing repairs. Refrigerant and electrical work legally requires licensed technicians under Technical Safety BC regulations.