Heat Pump Service & Repair Guide for BC
Complete guide to heat pump maintenance, common repairs, service costs, and finding qualified technicians in British Columbia. Keep your system running efficiently.
DIY vs Professional Service
✅ Safe DIY Tasks
- •Clean/replace air filters (monthly)
- •Clear debris from outdoor unit
- •Flush condensate drain with vinegar
- •Check/clear snow/ice from outdoor unit
- •Clean indoor unit coils (ductless)
- •Test thermostat/remote functions
⛔ Requires Professional
- •Refrigerant work (illegal for homeowners in BC)
- •Electrical repairs (license required)
- •Compressor replacement
- •Reversing valve repairs
- •Fan motor replacement
- •Defrost system diagnostics
BC Regulations: Refrigerant handling requires Technical Safety BC certification. DIY refrigerant work is illegal and voids warranties. Electrical work requires licensed electrician for insurance compliance.
Maintenance Schedule
Clean or Replace Air Filters
Ductless: Remove and wash indoor unit filters with warm water. Ducted: Replace MERV filters. Dirty filters reduce efficiency by 15-25%.
Check Outdoor Unit for Debris
Remove leaves, snow, ice buildup. Maintain 2-foot clearance around unit. Ensure vents aren't blocked. Critical after snowfall in BC winters.
Clean Indoor Unit Coils (Ductless)
Use coil cleaner spray. Prevents mold and maintains efficiency. Access panel removal required. Watch manufacturer video first.
Professional Inspection & Tune-Up
Refrigerant check, electrical connections, coil cleaning, condensate drain, defrost cycle test, efficiency measurement. Schedule spring or fall.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant indicates leak. Requires licensed refrigeration mechanic. Cannot DIY. BC regulations prohibit homeowner refrigerant work.
Inspect Electrical Connections
Loose connections cause fires and failures. Check contactors, capacitors, wiring. Tighten terminals, measure voltage/amperage.
Clear Condensate Drain Line
Flush with vinegar/water mix. Prevents clogs and leaks. Important in humid coastal BC climates. Check monthly in summer.
Test Defrost Cycle (Winter)
Observe outdoor unit during cold weather. Should periodically reverse to melt ice. If excessive ice, call technician.
Clean Outdoor Coil Fins
Use coil cleaner and soft brush or low-pressure hose. Straighten bent fins with fin comb. Improves efficiency 5-15%.
Replace Capacitors (Preventive)
Capacitors degrade over time. Proactive replacement prevents compressor damage. Consider at 5-7 year mark.
Common Repairs & Costs
Refrigerant Leak
Symptoms:
- •Reduced heating/cooling
- •Ice buildup on outdoor unit
- •Hissing sounds
- •Higher energy bills
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Requires licensed refrigeration mechanic. Cannot be DIY repaired. Leaks must be found, repaired, and system recharged.
Compressor Failure
Symptoms:
- •No heating/cooling
- •Unit won't start
- •Loud grinding noise
- •Tripped breaker
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Most expensive repair. Often covered under warranty. Consider full unit replacement if out of warranty and unit is 12+ years old.
Reversing Valve Stuck
Symptoms:
- •Won't switch heating/cooling modes
- •Blows cold in heat mode
- •Clicking sounds
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: BC winters require functioning heat mode. Schedule repair within 1-2 days if stuck in cooling mode during winter.
Frozen Outdoor Coil
Symptoms:
- •Ice covering outdoor unit
- •Reduced airflow
- •No heat output
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Often caused by dirty filters, low refrigerant, or failed defrost cycle. Check filters first. If persists, call technician.
Failed Defrost Sensor
Symptoms:
- •Excessive ice buildup
- •Reduced heating capacity
- •Frequent defrost cycles
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Critical for BC winters. Sensor replacement is straightforward for technicians. Usually covered under warranty.
Dirty/Clogged Filters
Symptoms:
- •Reduced airflow
- •Higher bills
- •Overheating warnings
- •Poor performance
DIY Possible:
YesNotes: Most common issue. Clean monthly. Ductless: wash indoor unit filters. Ducted: replace MERV filters every 1-3 months.
Capacitor Failure
Symptoms:
- •Hard starting
- •Won't start
- •Humming but not running
- •Intermittent operation
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Common on units 5+ years old. Inexpensive part but requires electrical expertise. Can cause compressor damage if ignored.
Drainage Issues
Symptoms:
- •Water leaking indoors
- •Gurgling sounds
- •Humidity problems
- •Condensate overflow
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Can try flushing drain line with vinegar. If frozen or clogged, professional service needed. Interior leaks can cause water damage.
Fan Motor Failure
Symptoms:
- •No air movement
- •Loud squealing
- •Won't blow air
- •Overheating
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Indoor or outdoor fan can fail. Usually requires motor replacement. Lubrication helps prevent but won't fix failed motor.
Thermostat/Control Issues
Symptoms:
- •Inaccurate temperature
- •Won't respond to settings
- •Blank display
- •Erratic cycling
DIY Possible:
No - Professional OnlyNotes: Check batteries first. Verify wiring connections. Modern smart thermostats can have software issues - try reset.
Service Costs in BC (2026)
Service Calls
Common Parts
Costs include parts and labor. Vancouver/Lower Mainland typically 10-15% higher than Interior BC. Mobile home parks may have additional access fees.
Finding Qualified Technicians in BC
✅ Required Certifications
- •Refrigeration Mechanic License (FSR) - Required for refrigerant work (Technical Safety BC)
- •Gas Fitter License - If servicing backup boiler/furnace in hybrid systems
- •Electrical License - For electrical repairs (BC Safety Authority)
- •Manufacturer Certification - Preferred for warranty work (Mitsubishi, Daikin, etc.)
🔍 How to Verify
- •Check Technical Safety BC contractor search: technicalsafetybc.ca
- •Ask for license numbers before booking
- •Verify manufacturer certification for warranty service
- •Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings
- •Read Google reviews (look for patterns, not just star count)
Questions to Ask Before Booking:
- 1."Are you licensed with Technical Safety BC for refrigeration?"
- 2."Are you certified to service [your brand]?"
- 3."What's your diagnostic fee? Is it waived if I proceed with repairs?"
- 4."Do you provide written estimates before starting work?"
- 5."What warranty do you offer on parts and labor?"
When to Replace vs Repair
✅ Repair Makes Sense When:
- •Unit is less than 8 years old
- •Repair cost is less than 50% of replacement cost
- •Covered under warranty (especially compressor)
- •Minor repairs (capacitor, fan, sensor)
⛔ Consider Replacement When:
- •Unit is 12+ years old
- •Compressor failure out of warranty ($2,500+ repair)
- •Frequent repairs (3+ service calls in 2 years)
- •Efficiency has degraded significantly (energy bills up 25%+)
- •Using R-22 refrigerant (obsolete, expensive)
Rule of thumb: Multiply unit age by repair cost. If result exceeds $5,000, replacement often makes more sense. Example: 10-year-old unit needing $800 repair = 10 × $800 = $8,000 → Consider replacement.