Heat Pump Repair in Victoria, BC

Pre-call emergency checklist, symptom guide, Vancouver Island repair costs, and licensed technicians in Victoria.

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.

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Victoria's mild climate means fewer cold-weather failures, but humidity and aging installations drive consistent service demand.

Victoria has the mildest winter climate of any major BC city — temperatures rarely drop below -5°C and heat pumps run at high efficiency nearly year-round. Cold-weather emergency failures are uncommon. The dominant service issues are condensate drain management (year-round humidity), outdoor coil corrosion from coastal salt air, and age-related component failures as the city's large stock of early mini-split installations from 2012-2016 reaches the 10-12 year mark.

Most common Victoria repair issues

1.Condensate drain clog (year-round humidity)
2.Outdoor coil corrosion (proximity to ocean)
3.Capacitor and fan motor aging (10-12 year installs)

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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 priority

Likely 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 Victoria (2026)

Typical Vancouver Island labour and parts rates. Emergency or after-hours calls add $150–$250 to any service visit.

Repair	Vancouver Island	Notes
Diagnostic visit	$90–$185	After-hours: add $150–$250. Some contractors waive if repair proceeds.
Capacitor replacement	$230–$420	Most common repair at 5–8 year mark. Fast job (~1 hour).
Fan motor (indoor or outdoor)	$650–$1,100	Part cost varies significantly by brand. Mitsubishi/Daikin parts higher.
Refrigerant leak — detect & repair	$850–$2,300	Cost depends on leak location. Includes recharge. Requires licensed refrigeration mechanic.
Defrost board or sensor	$320–$600	Critical for BC winters. Usually covered under manufacturer warranty.
Control board replacement	$850–$1,700	High variation by brand. Get OEM board — aftermarket boards cause reliability issues.
Condensate drain service	$140–$325	DIY possible: flush with diluted vinegar. Call if fully blocked or frozen.
Reversing valve	$570–$1,100	Stuck valve = won't switch between heating and cooling. Labor-intensive.
Compressor replacement	$2,300–$4,200	Get a replacement quote too — at 10+ years, new unit often makes more sense.
Annual tune-up	$140–$275	Prevents most emergency calls. Includes refrigerant check, coil clean, electrical inspection.

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 Victoria

Licensed contractors serving Victoria. Always confirm they hold a current Technical Safety BC refrigeration licence before booking.

Coastal Heat Pumps

Residential & Commercial

Victoria, Vancouver Island

Phone: +1-250-656-6868

Services:

Heat Pumps

Brands:

Samsung, Fujitsu, Carrier

Service area: Victoria, Sidney, Saanich, Langford, Colwood, Ladysmith, Gulf Islands. BBB Accredited since 2014; Samsung HVAC Preferred Plus Dealer; ductless packages from $4500; rebates up to $11000; Greater Victoria to Ladysmith; 21 years in business; Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM

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Accutemp Refrigeration Air Conditioning & Heating Ltd.

Residential & Commercial

Victoria, Vancouver Island

Phone: +1-250-475-2665

Services:

Heat PumpsHybrid Systems

Brands:

Samsung, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Daikin, York

Service area: Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Oak Bay, Duncan, South Vancouver Island. 40+ years serving Greater Victoria to Duncan; Master Group Daikin dealer; residential + commercial; 24/7 emergency; CleanBC rebate paperwork handled; 7 days/week emergency repairs

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South Island Mechanical Ltd.

Residential & Commercial

Victoria, Vancouver Island

Phone: +1-250-589-8929

Services:

Heat PumpsAir-to-Water Heat Pumps

Service area: Victoria, Langford, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Duncan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Courtenay, Campbell River, Gulf Islands. 20+ years HVAC/R experience; all brands and types including air-to-water hydronic systems; residential + commercial + light industrial + marine; BBB listed; widest Island coverage

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West Bay Mechanical Ltd.

Residential & Commercial

Victoria, Vancouver Island

Phone: +1-250-478-8532

Services:

Heat PumpsHybrid SystemsBoiler Replacement

Brands:

Lennox

Service area: Victoria, Langford, Colwood, Esquimalt, View Royal, Duncan, South Vancouver Island. 35+ years; Lennox Authorized Dealer; plumbing + electrical + mechanical combined; residential + commercial; showroom at 1740 Island Highway; 24/7 emergency; BBB A+

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Dupuis Energy Inc.

Residential & Commercial

Victoria, Vancouver Island

Phone: +1-250-858-6743

Services:

Heat PumpsHybrid Systems

Service area: Victoria, Sidney, Sooke, Saanich, Langford, South Vancouver Island. Class A Gas Fitter (Technical Safety BC); fully licensed and insured; Sidney to Sooke coverage; heat pump + furnace + ductless AC; 24/7 emergency; BBB listed; owner-operated

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Victoria Furnace Services

Residential & Commercial

Victoria, Vancouver Island

Phone: +1-778-400-7148

Services:

Heat PumpsHybrid Systems

Brands:

Lennox

Service area: Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Esquimalt, Capital Regional District. Lennox dealer; heat pump + gas furnace + electric furnace + duct cleaning; CRD coverage; CAUTION: no physical address confirmed in public listings — verify independently

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View full BC contractor directory →

Brand-Specific Repair for Victoria

Looking for a technician certified on a specific brand? Use the brand pages to find authorized dealers and service technicians.

Mitsubishi dealers in BC →Daikin dealers in BC →Fujitsu dealers in BC →LG dealers in BC →Bosch dealers in BC →Samsung dealers in BC →

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.

Victoria Install Guide

Climate data, installation costs, and recommended systems for Victoria 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.