When your heat pump isn’t providing enough warmth, it’s often not a sign of failure — but of reduced heat pump efficiency. Whether you’re a homeowner, facility manager, or installer, understanding why your system is underperforming can help you restore comfort quickly and prevent costly repairs.
Here are the five most common reasons your heat pump is not heating efficiently — and how to fix them.
1. Dirty or Blocked Air Filters
A clogged air filter restricts airflow, forcing the unit to work harder to deliver heat. This not only reduces efficiency but can also shorten your system’s lifespan.
Solution: Clean or replace filters regularly — ideally once a month during the heating season.
2. Outdoor Unit Covered by Ice or Debris
Leaves, snow, or ice around the outdoor unit prevent proper heat exchange. If the unit can’t pull air freely, your heat pump will struggle to extract warmth from outside.
Solution: Keep at least 50 cm of clearance around the unit and gently remove any snow or ice buildup.
3. Low Refrigerant Charge
The refrigerant is the medium that transfers heat. If the system is undercharged or leaking, your heat pump can’t perform efficiently — resulting in longer run times and higher energy bills.
Solution: Have a certified technician inspect and, if needed, recharge the system with the correct refrigerant (like R290, used in Tongyi’s new generation of eco-friendly models).
4. Poor Thermostat Settings or Faulty Sensors
If the thermostat or room sensors are misreading temperatures, the system may not activate heating properly.
Solution: Check the temperature settings and sensor placement. Avoid positioning thermostats near windows, direct sunlight, or heat sources.
5. Lack of Regular Maintenance
Like any high-performance system, your heat pump needs periodic checks to maintain peak efficiency. Ignoring maintenance can lead to reduced output and system imbalance.
Solution: Schedule annual service to clean coils, verify connections, and ensure all sensors, fans, and compressors work optimally.
Your heat pump is designed for reliability — but even the best systems can lose performance without proper care. Regular maintenance, smart installation, and a few preventive steps are all it takes to keep heat pump efficiency high and your comfort steady.
Tongyi’s R290 air-to-water heat pumps integrate intelligent defrost, inverter technology, and smart control systems to ensure top performance even in low-temperature environments. When efficiency matters, innovation makes the difference.
