ServicesHeat Pumps
Heat Pump Service in Oakesdale
We repair, replace and install heat pumps for homeowners. Before we touch a part, we test the system and find out why it's struggling. Then you get a written quote, a straight answer on repair or replace, and a fix that holds.
One System for Heat and Cooling
In the cold months, a heat pump pulls warmth out of the outdoor air, even chilly air, and carries it inside. Come summer, it flips direction and cools your home the way central air does. It doesn't burn fuel. It just shifts heat from one side of the wall to the other. One outdoor unit and one indoor unit cover the whole year.
When one quits or starts running all day, the cause can be a lot of things. Low refrigerant from a slow leak. A stuck reversing valve. A failed defrost board. A dirty coil. A bad capacitor. Many of these look the same from inside the house. We check pressures, temperatures and electrical readings first, so we replace the part that actually failed and not the one that's easiest to guess.
If you're thinking about a new heat pump, we'll look at your home and how you use it, then tell you plainly whether it makes sense. For rooms without ducts, ductless mini-splits are often the better fit, and we'll say so.
What Our Heat Pump Work Covers
- 01
Full system testing
We measure refrigerant pressures, temperature split, amp draw and airflow. You see what we found, with photos when it helps.
- 02
Repairs on both units
Compressors, fan motors, capacitors, contactors, reversing valves, defrost controls and thermostats. Our repair work is backed by a 1-year labor warranty on all repairs.
- 03
Refrigerant leak checks
Topping off a leaking system just buys a few weeks. We look for the leak, tell you where it is, and give you the cost to fix it before adding refrigerant.
- 04
Backup heat checks
Most heat pumps here lean on electric strips or a furnace when it gets very cold. We make sure that backup kicks on when it should and not all the time.
- 05
New installs and replacements
We size the unit to your home with a load calculation, not by matching the old label. Estimates are free on installations and replacements.
- 06
Rebate and tax credit help
Avista has rebates for qualifying heat pumps, and there are federal tax credits too. We walk you through claiming them and hand over the model numbers and equipment specs the forms ask for.
Questions about Heat Pumps?
Call(509) 584-4328Signs Your Heat Pump Needs a Look
Blowing cool air in heat mode
Some lukewarm air during defrost is normal. Cool air for long stretches points to a valve, refrigerant or control problem.
Outdoor unit caked in ice
A light frost that clears on its own is fine. A solid block of ice that stays means the defrost cycle isn't working or airflow is blocked.
Power bills jumping in winter
If the backup heat is carrying the load, your bill climbs fast. It often means the heat pump itself has stopped doing its share.
Running nonstop
A unit that never cycles off may be low on refrigerant, undersized, or fighting a dirty coil.
Grinding, rattling or loud buzzing
New noises usually mean a failing motor, loose part or electrical trouble. Shut it off and have it checked before a small fix turns into a compressor.
How a Heat Pump Visit Goes
- 1
You call and tell us what's happening
We ask a few questions about the symptoms and when they started. That helps us bring the right parts.
- 2
We test before we diagnose
Our tech checks both the indoor and outdoor units with gauges and meters. We don't guess, and we don't start swapping parts to see what works.
- 3
You get a written quote
We explain what failed and why, then give you a written quote before any work begins. If repair doesn't make sense for an older unit, we tell you. The diagnostic fee is credited toward the repair.
- 4
We fix it and clean up
We protect your floors, do the work, run the system through heating and cooling, and haul away old parts.
What Moves the Cost
A heat pump repair can be a small part or a major one, and a new system depends on your home. We price the job after we've tested it, and you see the number in writing first. There are no emergency or after-hours fees.
- Which part failed
- A capacitor or contactor is a quick swap. A compressor or reversing valve takes more time, more refrigerant work and costs more.
- Refrigerant type and leaks
- Older systems may use refrigerant that's harder to get. Finding and sealing a leak adds time but saves you from paying for refill after refill.
- System size and efficiency
- For new installs, the capacity your home needs and the efficiency level you choose make the biggest difference. Cold-climate models cost more but keep heating in deep cold.
- Your existing setup
- Electrical upgrades, a new pad, or the location of the outdoor unit can change the scope. We point these out in the quote.
Heat Pump Questions
Will a heat pump keep my home warm in a real cold snap?
Newer cold-climate heat pumps keep heating well below freezing. In the coldest stretches of winter, most homes still need backup heat from electric strips or a furnace. We'll set it up so the heat pump does as much as it can and the backup only fills the gap.
Should I repair my heat pump or replace it?
It depends on the age, the part that failed and how the system has been running. A failed capacitor on a ten-year-old unit is worth fixing. A dead compressor on an older unit with a leak often isn't. We'll give you both numbers and our honest take.
Can you help with rebates on a new heat pump?
Yes. Avista rebates and federal tax credits can both apply to a qualifying heat pump, and we'll help you claim them. We make sure you leave with the equipment details and paperwork each one needs.
What credentials do you carry for this work?
We hold a Washington license and are bonded, and we carry $1M general liability insurance. Ask for the details when you call and we'll go over them.
What if my heat pump quits at night?
Pick up the phone. We take emergency calls 24/7, and there are no emergency or after-hours fees. We serve Oakesdale and nearby towns like Colfax and Pullman.
Get Your Heat Pump Running Right
Tell us what it's doing and we'll come find the cause. Repairs are quoted in writing before we start, and estimates on new heat pumps are free.