Electrical issues such as a tripped circuit breaker, malfunctioning capacitor, or faulty wiring can prevent the heat pump fan from receiving the power it requires. Contact a qualified HVAC technician or licensed electrician for repair if a power supply issue is preventing your heat pump fan from turning.
A heat pump needs the fan to work correctly. If it's not working, there could be a few reasons why. One possible cause is that debris has built up inside the unit and blocked the fan blades from moving. The outside unit can easily get dirty or blocked with debris because of its location.
If the heat pump fan is not running and you don't hear any sound from the outdoor unit, check to make sure the unit has power. Go to the circuit breaker box and look for the one labeled “heat pump”, If it's tripped, call for heat pump repair.
If your heat pump does not have a reset button, it will have a power switch. Turn the switch off, wait for two to three minutes, then turn the switch on again.
Usually the fan, a relay or a fuse. The fuse or the relay, if bad, you will also want to make sure the fan can turn itself on from the first power setting. If the motor can't turn itself on from power level 1,there is extra resistance on the motor, and the fan will probably need to be replaced.
The thermostat is what tells these separate systems to work together. In normal operation, when your thermostat is set to "auto," it will tell the blower fan plus the heating or cooling components to turn on and off at the same time when the desired temperature is reached.
The outdoor fan for a heat pump should spin constantly during normal operation. It may even start spinning during the defrost cycle. If the fan won't move at all, there is a problem.
In short, common issues that can cause an air conditioning unit fan to stop spinning are electrical issues, problems with the capacitor, contactor issues, a burnt out air conditioner motor, a broken fan belt, or clogged air filter.
If your heat pump is on but not blowing hot air, it could be due to a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, or a malfunctioning thermostat. The outdoor unit may also be iced over, or the reversing valve may not be working properly. Contact a professional for further inspection.
The main reason your AC unit fan isn't spinning could be a lack of power to the fan or an obstruction. The other potential issues are the fan isn't getting enough voltage, the fan motor is too hot, something is stuck in the fan blades, or the fan belt needs to be replaced.
In general, the average life expectancy of a heat pump is 10 to 15 years, depending on a wide variety of factors. A ductless mini-split heat pump can last 10 to 30 years depending on the same variables.
The short answer is when you have a heat pump not working, various issues can be responsible. These include a power switch or circuit breaker issue, using the wrong temperature or emergency heat thermostat settings, clogged filters, and faulty components within the indoor and outdoor units.
If your fan will not spin at all, this is a sign that the capacitor or motor is dead. To be 100% sure your motor is broken, you may need to contact a skilled HVAC professional. Dealing with motors and wires on your own could raise the risk of electrocution and shock.
Keeping the fan running also leads to even air distribution through your home. Stops and starts can be rigorous for your HVAC too, so this might prolong its life. Cons for “On”: Simply put, leaving your fan on raises your costs and burns more energy.
Lack of Power to the Outdoor Unit
If only the outdoor unit loses power, air may still blow from the vents. Check if a switch was accidentally turned off; if so, simply flip it back on. It's also possible a breaker to the outdoor unit circuit has tripped. Reset it to see if the unit starts running.
If your heater blower motor not working or heater fan motor not working, check for signs of wear and tear on the motor, belts, or bearings. Mechanical failures often result from years of operation without proper maintenance. A motor replacement or repair may be necessary to restore function.
If the cables appear to be in good condition, try unplugging the fan for a few minutes and then plugging it back in again. This can sometimes reset the motor and resolve the issue. If unplugging and plugging the fan back in doesn't work, check the fuse box for a popped breaker.
Choose "AUTO" for energy savings and "ON" if you want constant air circulation or improved air filtration. Temperatures can soar or plummet depending on the time of year.
Turn off the power switches, which can be on the wall nearby or on the pump itself. Then turn off the electrical breakers. After everything is off, wait up to five minutes, and the heat pump should be reset. You must then flip everything back on in the opposite order it was turned off.
Your thermostat is not set correctly.
One of the most common reasons why your AC fan is not spinning is because the thermostat is not set correctly. Be sure the system is set for cooling and not heating and then switch it back to cooling or auto mode and check that the appropriate cooling temperature is selected.
If the fan does not operate automatically on a call for cooling, or after turning the thermostat fan switch to the "On" position, this may indicate either a bad blower motor or a bad capacitor (below). A failed blower motor will often be accompanied by a bad odor (like burning plastic or rubber).
An outside AC fan not spinning could be caused by power supply issues, a faulty capacitor, a burnt out motor, contactor issues, wiring problems, debris or obstruction, a faulty thermostat or control board, or frozen evaporator coils. Contact your local Carrier dealer to help troubleshoot the issue further.