Why is my auxiliary or emergency heat always on?

Auxiliary heat running constantly usually means the heat pump cannot reach the thermostat setting on its own. Some backup heat use is normal in very cold weather. If aux heat runs during mild weather, the cause may be a refrigerant leak, a failing outdoor unit, a thermostat wiring issue, or a large temperature setback. Constant backup heat sharply raises energy costs, so the system should be checked.

Why is my heat pump blowing cold air in heating mode?

A heat pump blowing cool air in heating mode is often running a defrost cycle, which can last several minutes. If the air stays cool, likely causes include a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant, a failed outdoor fan motor, or incorrect thermostat settings. Heat pump supply air also feels cooler than furnace air, often 85 to 100 degrees, so comparing it to a furnace can be misleading.

Is it normal for my heat pump to have ice on it in winter?

A light layer of frost on a heat pump's outdoor coil is normal in winter, and the defrost cycle should melt it periodically. During defrost, you may see steam rise from the unit and hear it pause briefly. Heavy ice that covers the whole coil, encases the fan, or does not clear after a defrost cycle points to a problem such as a failed defrost control, low refrigerant, or poor drainage, and it needs service.

Should I repair or replace my heat pump?

Repairing a heat pump usually makes sense when the unit is under 10 years old and the problem is a single component like a capacitor, contactor, or fan motor. Replacement is often the better value when the system is 12 to 15 years old, needs a new compressor, has repeated refrigerant leaks, or uses R-22 refrigerant. Your technician can give you the repair price and discuss replacement options so you can compare.

Do heat pumps work in Minnesota winters?

Modern cold-climate heat pumps keep producing heat at outdoor temperatures well below zero, though their output and efficiency drop as it gets colder. Many East Metro homes pair a heat pump with a gas furnace or electric backup heat for the coldest days. If your heat pump struggles every winter, it may need repair, or it may be an older model that was not designed for cold-climate operation.

Same-Day Heat Pump Repair in East Metro

Fast diagnosis and a firm repair price for heat pumps in every season

When your heat pump stops heating or cooling, Aire Serv of East Metro offers same-day service and quotes the full repair by the job before work begins. Our technicians repair all major heat pump brands.

Same-day service on every repair
Upfront pricing by the job, not the hour
Emergency service available
24/7 call answering with live support
Fully insured

Fast diagnosis and a firm repair price for heat pumps in every season

Residential
Commercial

Schedule Online

Heat Pump Repair That Works Around Your Schedule

How East Metro homeowners get heat pump problems fixed quickly, with no pricing surprises.

A heat pump that fails during a cold snap can push your home onto expensive backup heat or leave it without heat entirely. Aire Serv of East Metro offers same-day service for heat pump repairs, so a technician can diagnose the problem the day you call. Our regular hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and quick scheduling keeps small failures, like a weak capacitor or a stuck defrost control, from turning into a frozen coil or a damaged compressor. Same-day service covers every type of heat pump repair, from electrical faults to refrigerant leaks.
After diagnosing your heat pump, your technician explains what failed and gives you a price for the complete repair before any work starts. Because we charge by the job instead of by the hour, a slow leak search or a hard-to-reach part does not raise your bill. You can decide on the repair with the full cost in front of you, and if replacing an aging unit makes more financial sense, your technician will lay out that option as well. We repair all major heat pump brands, so you do not need to track down a manufacturer-specific dealer.
Heat pump problems do not wait for business hours, so calls and online requests are answered around the clock by our call center, with AI assistance and a live person available 24/7. If your system fails at night or on a weekend and your home is losing heat, emergency service is available. Reaching out as soon as you notice a problem gets you on the schedule faster, whether that means an emergency visit or the first same-day appointment.

How We Diagnose and Repair Your Heat Pump

When your Aire Serv of East Metro technician arrives, they start by asking what you have noticed, such as heavy ice on the outdoor unit, unusual noises, or backup heat running constantly. They check thermostat settings and wiring, then inspect the outdoor unit for airflow restrictions, damaged coil fins, and abnormal ice patterns. Electrical testing covers capacitors, contactors, the defrost control board, and fan and compressor motors. The technician measures refrigerant pressures and temperatures to look for leaks or charge problems and confirms the reversing valve switches correctly between heating and cooling. They also inspect the indoor air handler, filter, and condensate drain. Once the cause is found, you receive a job price, and after your approval the technician completes the repair and runs the system through full heating and cooling cycles before leaving your East Metro home.

Schedule Service

How We Diagnose and Repair Your Heat Pump

The Aire Serv Advantage

From tune-ups and maintenance to heater repair and air conditioning replacement, we provide services that keep the air you breathe clean and keep your home or business at the perfect temperature.

Guaranteed Upfront Pricing

We quote by the job not the hour, so you know the final price won't change with no hidden fees.
Learn more Click to Call
The Neighborly Done Right Promise^®

We'll get the job done right and ensure you are happy with our work.
Learn more The Neighborly Done Right Promise^®
We Treat Your Home Like Our Own^®

Expertly trained, background checked, and committed to respecting your home and putting you first.
Learn more We Treat Your Home Like Our Own^®
Anytime Customer Service

We're here for you 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and we always take extra precautions to safeguard your home during our visits.
Learn more Anytime Customer Service

Aire Serv of East Metro

Aire Serv of East Metro repairs heat pumps in homes throughout the East Metro area, including Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Oak Park Heights, and Inver Grove Heights. Our technicians service standard air-source and cold-climate heat pumps, along with dual-fuel systems that pair a heat pump with a gas furnace. If you live east or south of St. Paul and your heat pump is not keeping up, contact us to schedule same-day service.

HVAC Services in East Metro and Surrounding Areas

Aire Serv of East Metro repairs and replaces heat pumps, furnaces, central air conditioners, and ductless mini-split systems. When a heat pump is beyond economical repair, we can recommend a new heat pump, a dual-fuel setup with a furnace for backup heat, or a ductless system for specific rooms. Seasonal tune-ups keep any of these systems running reliably through Minnesota winters and summers.

Residential
Commercial

Heat Pump Repair Questions From East Metro Homeowners

Heat pumps behave differently from furnaces and air conditioners, which can make it hard to tell normal operation from a real problem. These answers explain common warning signs, what is normal in winter, and how to decide between repairing and replacing a heat pump. Aire Serv of East Metro technicians can inspect your system and give you a firm price for any repair before work begins.

A light layer of frost on a heat pump's outdoor coil is normal in winter, and the defrost cycle should melt it periodically. During defrost, you may see steam rise from the unit and hear it pause briefly. Heavy ice that covers the whole coil, encases the fan, or does not clear after a defrost cycle points to a problem such as a failed defrost control, low refrigerant, or poor drainage, and it needs service.
A heat pump blowing cool air in heating mode is often running a defrost cycle, which can last several minutes. If the air stays cool, likely causes include a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant, a failed outdoor fan motor, or incorrect thermostat settings. Heat pump supply air also feels cooler than furnace air, often 85 to 100 degrees, so comparing it to a furnace can be misleading.
Auxiliary heat running constantly usually means the heat pump cannot reach the thermostat setting on its own. Some backup heat use is normal in very cold weather. If aux heat runs during mild weather, the cause may be a refrigerant leak, a failing outdoor unit, a thermostat wiring issue, or a large temperature setback. Constant backup heat sharply raises energy costs, so the system should be checked.
Repairing a heat pump usually makes sense when the unit is under 10 years old and the problem is a single component like a capacitor, contactor, or fan motor. Replacement is often the better value when the system is 12 to 15 years old, needs a new compressor, has repeated refrigerant leaks, or uses R-22 refrigerant. Your technician can give you the repair price and discuss replacement options so you can compare.
Modern cold-climate heat pumps keep producing heat at outdoor temperatures well below zero, though their output and efficiency drop as it gets colder. Many East Metro homes pair a heat pump with a gas furnace or electric backup heat for the coldest days. If your heat pump struggles every winter, it may need repair, or it may be an older model that was not designed for cold-climate operation.

Residential
Commercial