Heat Pump Repair in Surrey, BC
Pre-call emergency checklist, symptom guide, Lower Mainland repair costs, and licensed technicians in Surrey.
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.
Surrey's spread-out geography means service response times vary — knowing your contractor before you need them matters.
Surrey spans a large area from coastal flats to the Langley border. Coastal freeze-thaw icing is the dominant outdoor unit issue, and the city's wave of mid-2010s installations means many systems are entering the 8-10 year mark — prime age for capacitor and fan motor failures. Rural Surrey properties may face longer emergency response times; having a pre-established relationship with a local contractor is worth the effort before winter.
Most common Surrey repair issues
- 1.Outdoor unit icing (coastal freeze-thaw, Oct–Mar)
- 2.Capacitor and fan motor failure (8-10 year installs)
- 3.Condensate drain blockage
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 Surrey (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 Surrey
Licensed contractors serving Surrey. Always confirm they hold a current Technical Safety BC refrigeration licence before booking.
Combined Comfort Systems
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-514-1132
Services:
Brands:
Mitsubishi
Service area: Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Surrey, Lower Mainland. Mitsubishi Zuba-Central and Zuba-Multi specialist; handles CleanBC and City of Vancouver rebate paperwork; residential focus
View Details →Greenfoot Energy Solutions
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-907-1314
Services:
Brands:
Mitsubishi, Nordic (Geothermal)
Service area: Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Langley, Delta, Maple Ridge, Squamish. Geothermal/ground-source capability; spray foam insulation; home energy assessments; mini-split + ducted + geothermal systems
View Details →Knowledge HVAC & Refrigeration Ltd.
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-522-5669
Services:
Service area: Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley. BCIT and JARTS trained; FortisBC Trade Ally; commercial refrigeration; VRF experience confirmed; 24/7 emergency; 1000+ clients served
View Details →Northwind Heating Cooling and Fireplace Showroom
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-572-7944
Services:
Brands:
Daikin, Lennox
Service area: Surrey, Langley, Delta, White Rock, Lower Mainland. BBB Accredited A+; Daikin Authorized Dealer; in business since 1989; ducted and ductless; fireplace showroom; rebate assistance; FortisBC partner
View Details →Parkinson's Heating Ltd.
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-599-8444
Services:
Brands:
Lennox
Service area: Surrey, Langley, Delta, Lower Mainland. Lennox and Valor Authorized Dealer; serving Lower Mainland since 1947; gas fitters licensed and bonded; Home Performance Contractor Network registered; boiler and air handler experience
View Details →John Sadler Plumbing & Heating
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-531-4355
Services:
Brands:
Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Daikin, Goodman, Rheem
Service area: Surrey, South Surrey, White Rock, Langley, North Delta, Cloverdale, Fleetwood. Family owned since 1976; multi-brand installer; plumbing + heating combined; strata and residential
View Details →Accolade Heating & Air Conditioning
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-689-7287
Services:
Brands:
Rheem, Navien, Rinnai
Service area: Surrey, South Surrey, Newton, Guildford, Fleetwood, Cloverdale, Clayton. Red Seal certified; TECA Quality First certified; 15+ years experience; South Surrey coastal heat pump specialist; strata and coach house expertise; 24/7 emergency
View Details →Veteran HVAC
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-991-4894
Services:
Service area: Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby, Lower Mainland. BC Hydro and FortisBC registered; CleanBC rebate assistance; boiler + tankless water heater + gas fitting; veteran-owned; no physical address confirmed — verify independently
View Details →Reliance Home Comfort
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-888-837-1451
Services:
Service area: Surrey, Metro Vancouver, BC-wide. Large national company; 24/7 call support; rental and purchase programs available; whole-home and mini-split heat pumps; residential focus
View Details →M&T Air Conditioning Ltd.
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-531-1934
Services:
Service area: Richmond, Vancouver, Surrey, Lower Mainland. Commercial and industrial focus since 1978; BBB Accredited; serves Richmond Steveston + Sea Island (YVR) logistics facilities; refrigeration + HVAC + VRF; 24/7 emergency; permit-ready documentation
View Details →Aquaflame Heating & Cooling Ltd.
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-999-4422
Services:
Service area: Coquitlam, Surrey, Vancouver, Lower Mainland. BBB Accredited; comprehensive services: heat pump + furnace + boiler + duct cleaning + fireplace; dual fuel systems; Mon-Sat 7:30AM-9PM; 24/7 emergency
View Details →Comfortpro Heat & AC
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-778-636-6001
Services:
Service area: Coquitlam, Surrey, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley. 10+ years experience; water source heat pump (WSHP) capability; residential + commercial; free quotes; 24/7 emergency; Surrey HQ serving Coquitlam
View Details →Thomson Industries
Surrey, Lower Mainland
Phone: +1-604-335-2019
Services:
Service area: New Westminster, Surrey, Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, West Vancouver, Mission, Lower Mainland. Since 1996; 4.7/5 Google rating; 24/7 365 days no extra charge; up to $6000 rebates offered; furnace + heat pump + AC + ductless + duct cleaning + plumbing + electrical; two locations Surrey + Port Coquitlam
View Details →Brand-Specific Repair for Surrey
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.
Surrey Install Guide
Climate data, installation costs, and recommended systems for Surrey 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.