Heat Pump Repair in San Jose, CA
Diagnostics and repairs for heat pumps that have stopped heating, stopped cooling, or stopped switching between the two, for homes across Santa Clara County and the greater Bay Area.
- Same-Day Appointments
- 24/7 Emergency Service
- Diagnosis Before Any Repair Work Begins
- Licensed & Insured in CA: #1060833
Fully Certified HVAC Company
Years of experience
A Heat Pump Runs Twice as Hard as Anything Else in the House
A furnace works half the year and an air conditioner works the other half. A heat pump does both jobs from one set of components, which means twice the runtime, twice the wear, and a failure that can show up as no heat in January or no cooling in July depending on which mode exposed it.
San Jose Heating and Cooling has spent 20+ years repairing heat pumps across Santa Clara County and the surrounding Bay Area, and most of the calls we take are not simple. A system that heats but will not cool points somewhere different than one that does neither. Ice on the outdoor coil in December means something different than ice on it in August. We diagnose which component actually failed before quoting a repair, because guessing on a heat pump usually means replacing a part that was working fine.
An HVAC Company Trusted by the Locals
We measure our success by the relationships we keep, and our customers agree: 4.8/5 stars across 85+ Google reviews.
“We recently had San Jose Heating and Cooling install a new heat pump in our house, and the experience was top-notch from start to finish. A special shout-out to Armando, who …”
Ohad M.
OH
“I recently had a brand-new AC unit and furnace installed, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the entire team was professional, respectful, and extremely knowledgeable…”
Moshe M.
MM
“I recently hired San Jose Heating and Cooling to clean out my attic and replace the insulation, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. The team did a phenomenal job transforming …”
California R.
CR
Heat Pump Problems We Diagnose and Repair
The System Will Not Switch Between Heating and Cooling
A heat pump changes modes through its reversing valve, and when that valve sticks or its solenoid fails, the system gets stuck delivering one temperature year round. Homeowners often mistake this for a thermostat problem and replace the thermostat first. We test the valve and its control circuit directly, which tells us within minutes whether the fault is the valve, the wiring, or the board driving it.Ice Building Up on the Outdoor Unit
A heat pump is designed to frost over in cold weather and clear itself through a defrost cycle. When the defrost board, sensor, or reversing valve fails, that cycle never runs and ice keeps accumulating until airflow stops entirely. Ice during cooling season points somewhere else, usually low refrigerant or restricted airflow, and the difference matters for the repair.Weak Heat or Constant Auxiliary Heat
If your system runs constantly and your electric bill jumps, the heat pump may have quit doing the work while backup electric heat carries the load. That backup is far more expensive to run and it masks the original failure. We find why the compressor stopped contributing rather than leaving the system limping along on emergency heat.Short Cycling and Constant Running
A heat pump that starts and stops every few minutes, or never shuts off at all, is responding to something: refrigerant charge, a failing capacitor, restricted airflow, or a control fault. Short cycling shortens compressor life quickly, so the diagnosis is worth making before the expensive component is the one that fails.Noises, Smells, and Tripping Breakers
Grinding, screeching, or a compressor that hums without starting usually points to a motor, bearing, or capacitor problem. A breaker that trips repeatedly is a warning, not an inconvenience. These are the calls where waiting turns a repair into a replacement, and we prioritize them accordingly.Our Heat Pump Repair Process
Every repair follows the same sequence, whether the system quit overnight or has been struggling for weeks.
Full System Diagnosis
We test the system in both heating and cooling modes, check refrigerant pressures, and inspect electrical components before forming a conclusion. A heat pump gives different symptoms in each mode, and skipping one mode is how the wrong part gets replaced.
Clear Explanation of What Failed
You get told what broke, why it broke, and whether anything else is close behind it. If the failure points at a larger underlying issue such as airflow or charge, you hear that too rather than finding out after the next breakdown.
A Firm Price Before Work Starts
We quote the repair with the parts and labor spelled out. Nothing gets replaced until you have agreed to it, and we will tell you plainly when a repair is not the better value.
The Repair, Done Correctly
Components are replaced to manufacturer specification, refrigerant is charged to the correct level rather than topped off, and the electrical side is verified. Repairs done properly the first time are cheaper than repairs done twice.
Testing in Both Modes
Before we leave, we run the system through heating and cooling and confirm it switches cleanly between them. A repair verified in only one mode is not a verified repair on a heat pump.
If you are unsure which side of the line you are on, we will tell you honestly. Plenty of the systems we look at have years left in them, and we would rather say so than sell you equipment you do not need. If replacement is the better call, see our heat pump installation and replacement services.
Repair or Replace? How to Tell
Most heat pumps are worth repairing. These are the situations where the math starts favoring replacement instead.
- The system is 12 to 15 years old.Heat pumps run year round, so they reach end of life sooner than equipment that works one season. Past this range, a major repair often buys less time than it costs.
- The compressor has failed.Compressor replacement is the single most expensive heat pump repair. On an older system, that one part frequently approaches the cost of new equipment.
- Repairs are stacking up.One repair is normal maintenance. Three in two years is a system telling you where it is going, and those invoices add up against a replacement.
- It uses R-22 refrigerant.Refrigerant for older systems is scarce and costly. A significant leak on an R-22 heat pump is usually the point where replacing makes more sense than recharging.
- Your bills climb every season.Efficiency losses show up on the bill before they show up as a breakdown. If usage held steady and costs did not, the equipment is the variable.
- Backup heat runs most of the winter.A system leaning on auxiliary heat is costing you money every day it operates, and that expense continues until the underlying failure is addressed.
What Sets Our Heat Pump Repairs Apart
Both Modes Tested on Every Call
A heat pump can pass a heating test and fail in cooling, or the reverse. We check both before calling a diagnosis complete, which is the difference between a repair that holds and a second call two months later.Electrical Work Covered Under Our License
Heat pump faults are frequently electrical, and some repairs reach back to the panel. Our California license covers that work, so a breaker or capacity problem does not stall your repair while you wait on an outside electrician.
Certified Across Five Major Brands
We are Diamond Certified, a Bryant dealer, and certified with Carrier, Mitsubishi, Goodman, and Amana. Our technicians are trained by the manufacturers on the equipment they service, and they stay current as that equipment changes.
Licensed and Insured in California
Fully licensed in California (#1060833) with standard liability and workers’ compensation coverage, so qualified, accountable people are working in your home.
Honest Answers About What Is Worth Fixing
We tell you when a repair makes sense and when it does not. San Jose Heating and Cooling has built two decades of repeat customers on saying so, not on selling equipment to people who did not need it yet.Financing Your Heat Pump Repair
A failed heat pump is never a planned expense, and larger repairs can land at difficult times. When you receive your invoice, you will have the option to apply for financing right then and there, so the repair your home needs does not wait on the calendar.
Need Your Heat Pump Working Again?
Whether your system stopped heating, stopped cooling, or will not switch between the two, we are here to help. Fill out the form below and we will get back to you the same day, or call us directly to book your visit.
Serving San Jose & the Greater Bay Area
Your home comfort starts close to home. San Jose Heating and Cooling repairs heat pumps for homeowners across Santa Clara County, with coverage extending into San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties.
Santa Clara County, CA
- San Jose
- Mountain View
- Palo Alto
- Santa Clara
- Sunnyvale
- Cupertino
- Milpitas
- Campbell
- Los Gatos
- Morgan Hill
San Mateo County, CA
- Redwood City
- Menlo Park
- San Mateo
- Foster City
- Belmont
Alameda County, CA
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- Fremont
- Livermore
- Pleasanton
Contra Costa County, CA
- Concord
- Martinez
- San Ramon
- Hercules
- San Pablo
- Also serving Vallejo
How fast can you get out for a heat pump repair?
We offer same-day appointments across the Bay Area along with 24/7 emergency service. If your system has failed completely, call rather than filling out the form and we will get a technician moving faster.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air in winter?
It may be running a normal defrost cycle, which passes in a few minutes, or the reversing valve may have failed and locked the system into cooling mode. The difference requires testing, and we check both on arrival.
Why is there ice on my outdoor unit?
Some frost in cold weather is normal because the defrost cycle clears it. Ice that keeps building points to a defrost control, sensor, or valve failure. Ice during summer usually means low refrigerant or an airflow restriction instead.
Can you repair all heat pump brands?
We are certified with Bryant, Carrier, Mitsubishi, Goodman, and Amana, and we service all major brands. Our Mitsubishi authorization also covers ductless heat pump systems.
Do you charge for the diagnosis?
We diagnose before quoting any repair, so you know what failed and what the fix costs before committing. Call and we will explain exactly how our service call works for your situation.
Is it worth repairing a heat pump that is 15 years old?
Sometimes. It depends on which component failed and how much life the rest of the system has. A capacitor on a well-maintained system is worth fixing. A compressor usually is not. We will give you the honest comparison.
My electric bill jumped. Could that be the heat pump?
Very likely. When a heat pump stops carrying the load, backup electric heat takes over and costs considerably more to run. The bill often rises before anyone notices the system is struggling.
Do you offer financing for larger repairs?
Yes. When you receive your invoice, you can apply for financing right then and there, so a necessary repair fits your budget instead of arriving as one payment.
Do you serve my area?
Most likely. We serve all of Santa Clara County, reach into the San Mateo Peninsula, and cover parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, including up to Vallejo. Just reach out and we will confirm.