Heat Pump Repair & Tune-Up in Burnaby, BC

Common Heat Pump Problems We Repair in Burnaby and Vancouver

Heat pump issues rarely come out of nowhere. Most calls fall into a handful of categories, and a quick description of what you are seeing helps our Burnaby dispatchers decide whether the call is urgent or can wait until morning. The most common problems we diagnose across Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and Richmond include:

• Compressor failures - the most expensive failure mode, usually announced by tripped breakers, hard starts, or no cooling. Older units with high run hours are more prone, especially after a hard heat wave.
• Frozen outdoor coils or icing - heavy ice on the outdoor unit means the defrost cycle is failing, the refrigerant charge is low, or airflow is blocked. Persistent icing should be addressed quickly to avoid compressor damage.
• Refrigerant leaks - low refrigerant means the system runs longer, costs more, and eventually fails. Leaks must be located and repaired before recharging.
• Thermostat issues - smart thermostats and older mercury units can both cause heat-pump-specific problems. Many "heat pump" failures turn out to be wiring or thermostat issues.
• Reversing valve faults - if a heat pump heats but won't cool (or vice versa), the reversing valve or its solenoid is often at fault.
• Weak airflow - clogged filters, failing blower motors, and dirty evaporator coils all reduce airflow and trigger error codes.
• Unusual noises - rattles, hums, and grinding indicate fan motor wear, loose hardware, or scroll compressor issues.
• Short cycling - a heat pump that turns on and off rapidly is usually oversized, has a bad sensor, or is fighting low refrigerant.

For any of these symptoms, our heat pump repair team will diagnose and fix the root cause rather than just clearing the error code.

Heat Pump Brands We Service in Metro Vancouver

We service all major heat pump brands across the Lower Mainland. Our technicians carry parts, refrigerants, and diagnostic tools for both residential and light-commercial systems. Brands we work on regularly include:

• American Standard - our preferred brand for new heat pump installation, with strong cold-weather performance and a deep parts inventory.
• Daikin - widely deployed across Metro Vancouver, particularly in mini-split and multi-zone configurations.
• Mitsubishi - dominant in Vancouver's ductless mini-split market, especially for character homes without ductwork.
• Fujitsu - common in residential and light-commercial cold-climate applications.
• Lennox - regularly serviced in homes with existing forced-air ductwork.

If your heat pump is from a brand not listed here, contact us anyway. We see a wide cross-section of equipment in Burnaby homes and businesses, and our techs are capable of diagnosing most systems regardless of badge.

Heat Pump Repair vs. Replacement - How to Decide

The repair vs. replace question comes up most often when a heat pump is over 10 years old and faces a major repair. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but the decision usually comes down to four factors:

• Age - heat pumps typically last 12 to 15 years in the Lower Mainland's climate. A failure on a 14-year-old unit is rarely worth a major repair.
• Repair cost vs. replacement cost - we use a rough rule that if a repair costs more than half of replacement and the unit is past its half-life, replacement is usually the better call.
• Efficiency gains - newer heat pumps deliver substantially better seasonal efficiency than 10-15 year old equipment, and the savings on operating costs often help offset replacement.
• Refrigerant type - units running on the older R-22 refrigerant cost more to recharge and are increasingly hard to source parts for. A leak on an R-22 system often pushes the decision toward replacement.

We will give you the honest numbers - including projected operating cost differences - before recommending one path over the other. Our certified technicians do not push replacement when a repair makes more sense.

BC Heat Pump Rebates and Incentives

If your heat pump is at end-of-life and replacement is on the table, several BC and federal programs help offset the cost. Programs we see Burnaby and Metro Vancouver homeowners use include:

• CleanBC Better Homes - rebates for qualifying heat pump installations when replacing fossil-fuel heating systems.
• FortisBC - utility rebates that often stack with CleanBC for natural-gas-to-heat-pump conversions.
• Canada Greener Homes - federal grants for qualifying heat pump installations and home energy retrofits.
• Income-qualified programs - higher rebate amounts are available to households that meet provincial income thresholds.

Eligibility and exact rebate amounts depend on the equipment installed, your existing fuel source, your home's pre-installation efficiency assessment, and program rules in effect at the time of installation. Our quotes for new heat pump installation include the documentation each program requires from a qualified contractor. We do not promise a specific rebate amount until we know the program rules in effect on the day your installation is scheduled.

Our Heat Pump Repair Process

Our process is built around clean diagnostics and transparent pricing. Here is what happens after you call:

1. Phone triage - we ask a short set of questions to determine whether the call is urgent (no heat or no cooling in extreme weather) or can wait for a regularly-scheduled visit.
2. On-site diagnostic - our technician arrives, inspects the indoor and outdoor units, checks the thermostat and electrical panel, and reads any error codes from the control board.
3. Up-front pricing - before any major work begins, we explain what is wrong, what the fix involves, and what it will cost. No surprise charges.
4. Repair - most repairs are completed during the first visit. For parts that need to be ordered, we keep you informed of timing.
5. Test and verify - after the repair, we run the system through heating and cooling cycles, verify proper operation, and document the work.

Our quality assurance is built into every visit: clean work areas, written invoices, and follow-up calls when warranted. Schedule service any time at 604-324-4328.

Heat Pump Maintenance Plans

Annual preventative maintenance extends heat pump life, keeps efficiency high, and catches small problems before they become expensive. A standard tune-up includes:

• Filter inspection and replacement
• Coil inspection and cleaning (indoor and outdoor)
• Refrigerant charge verification
• Electrical connection check and tightening
• Condensate drain inspection
• Defrost cycle test (in heating season)
• Blower motor and capacitor check
• Thermostat calibration

Our maintenance plans cover annual visits, priority dispatch when something does fail, and discounts on parts. Heat pumps that get regular maintenance tend to deliver lower energy bills and last several years longer than units that go without. Contact us to start a plan.

Emergency Heat Pump Repair - 24/7 Service

When your heat pump fails on a freezing night or during a heat wave, you should not have to wait. We offer 24/7 emergency service across Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and Richmond. Our technicians are dispatched from our Merritt Avenue shop in Burnaby and reach most Metro Vancouver addresses quickly.

Call (604) 324-4328 any time, day or night. For non-urgent issues, the same number reaches our regular dispatch during business hours.

Heat Pump Repair FAQ

How long does a typical heat pump last in the Lower Mainland?

Most heat pumps last 12 to 15 years in our climate. Coastal humidity and salt air can shorten lifespan for outdoor units sited near the water without coastal-grade kits.

Why is my heat pump's outdoor unit covered in ice?

A small amount of frost during defrost cycles is normal. Heavy or persistent ice is not - it usually indicates a defrost cycle problem, a refrigerant charge issue, or restricted airflow. Call us before the ice causes compressor damage.

My heat pump runs constantly - is that bad?

During very cold weather, longer run times are normal and efficient. During mild weather, constant running suggests low refrigerant, a dirty coil, or an oversized system. We diagnose to determine which.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a 12-year-old heat pump?

It depends on the failure. A small repair on a 12-year-old unit is usually worth doing. A major repair (compressor, coil) is usually not. We quote both options and let you decide.

Do you service all brands of heat pumps?

Yes - American Standard, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Lennox, and most other major brands. If you are unsure, call and tell us the model number.

Heat Pump Repair Near Burnaby, Vancouver, and Coquitlam

We dispatch from our shop on Merritt Avenue in Burnaby and reach most of Metro Vancouver within a short drive.

Heat Pump Repair in Burnaby

Our home city. Single-family homes from Burnaby Heights to Edmonds, condo strata across Metrotown and Brentwood - we service all of them. Same-day appointments are common when you call before 9am.

Heat Pump Repair in Vancouver

We work across the city, from West End condo fan coils to Kitsilano character home mini-splits and East Van central heat pumps. Strata coordination, parking logistics, and access constraints are part of every Vancouver call.

Heat Pump Repair in Coquitlam

From valley-floor neighbourhoods to Burke Mountain at over 300 metres of elevation, we tailor service and equipment recommendations to your home's actual conditions. Cold-climate models matter more on the mountain than at sea level.

Heat Pump Repair in North Vancouver

Lynn Valley, Deep Cove, and Lower Lonsdale all see regular service from us. We use coastal-grade kits on outdoor equipment near the water.

Heat Pump Repair in Richmond

Richmond's mild winter lows make it a particularly good fit for heat pumps. We service Steveston, Brighouse, Terra Nova, and the rest of Lulu Island.