Heat Pumps

Heat pump service.

Field Plumbing & Heating is experienced in the service, repair, and installation of heat pumps in Paw Paw, MI, and its surrounding area. A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one place to another, from indoors to outdoors or from outdoors to indoors. For homes with no access to natural gas, heat pumps offer an efficient and reliable solution for heating and cooling.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

In the winter, a heat pump works like a heater, extracting heat energy from outside and transferring it inside. In the summer, the process reverses, and it will remove heat from your home and transfer it outside like an air conditioner. Heat pumps do this so well that many people in warmer climates exclusively rely on a heat pump for year-round comfort. For those living in colder climates, they use electric-powered heat pumps in conjunction with their gas or oil furnace resulting in lower heating costs.

Heat pumps work with a series of coils drawing energy from air, water, or the ground. In this way, they are very environmentally friendly and are the most energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home. Heat pumps also work extremely efficiently, because they simply transfer heat, rather than burn fuel to create it. This makes them a greener alternative to traditional gas or oil furnaces. Though you may think you’re unfamiliar with them, they traditionally heat swimming pools and hot tubs, so you most likely have come in contact with them and not even known it.

Different Types of Heat Pumps

There are three types of heat pumps: air-to-air, water source, and geothermal. As mentioned above, they collect their heat from the air, water, and outside-your-home ground and concentrate it for use. Call Field Plumbing & Heating to discuss the basic differences between these types and which one would work best for you and your home.

Are Heat Pumps Expensive?

Installation costs of heat pumps are higher than with a traditional furnace or air conditioner, but the savings over time in annual energy costs make up for the difference in five to ten years. Performing proper operation and maintenance of your heat pump will also save you money, as you’ll use less energy, thus resulting in less cost. Be sure to ask your HVAC professional for the proper thermostat setting and the indoor pump’s fan operation. Not following the recommended guidelines can inhibit the maximized running of the pump and can degrade the unit itself. Regular maintenance can prevent degradation as well. Consistent filter changing or cleaning is necessary for a well-running heat pump. Seasonal cleaning of coils and fans go a long way in preventing poor energy efficiency that can end up costing you more money. The energy difference between a well-maintained system and a neglected one can be anywhere from 10 to 25 percent.

To determine the appropriate type of heat pump for you, which can be contingent upon the geography and climate around your Paw Paw, MI or surrounding-area home or office space, or to discuss any of these topics, call us today at 269-674-3839 or request service online for an evaluation.

 

Why Does My Heat Pump Turn On and Off Repeatedly?

If your heat pump runs for just two or three minutes, shuts off, and then kicks back on, it is short-cycling. The most common causes include:

 

  • Clogged Air Filters: A clogged filter significantly restricts airflow, causing the unit to overheat in winter or freeze up in summer, triggering an automatic safety shutdown.
  • Thermostat Placement: A thermostat installed near a supply vent, drafty door, or in direct sunlight will misread room temperatures and send erratic commands to the system.
  • Low Refrigerant Charge: A leak in the copper refrigerant lines drops system pressure, forcing the compressor to shut down prematurely.

 

Understanding the Defrost Mode: During cold Michigan winters, heat pumps periodically enter a normal defrost cycle to melt ice off the outdoor coil. This brief pause in heating can look like short-cycling, but it’s a vital safety function.

 

How Often Should I Schedule Heat Pump Maintenance?

Because a heat pump handles both summer cooling and winter heating in Southwest Michigan, it requires professional service twice a year.

 

  • Spring Maintenance: Prepares the system for muggy Michigan summers by cleaning outdoor coils, checking refrigerant charge, and clearing condensate drain lines.
  • Fall Maintenance: Prepares the unit for sub-zero lake-effect winter conditions by inspecting reversing valves, testing defrost controls, checking auxiliary/backup heating elements, and tightening electrical connections.

 

How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?

The average lifespan of a modern heat pump is 12 to 15 years. Because our Midwest climate demands year-round operation—rather than taking a season off like a standalone furnace or AC—heat pumps log significant operating hours.

 

Routine maintenance and timely air filter changes are the single best ways to reach that 15-year mark.

 

What Refrigerant Is Used in Heat Pumps?

The refrigerant used in your heat pump depends on when the system was built:

  • R-454B & R-32: The new standard for heat pumps manufactured after January 1, 2025. These eco-friendly refrigerants have a significantly lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) to meet federal EPA guidelines. 
  • R-410A (Puron): The primary refrigerant used for the past two decades. While manufacturing of new R-410A equipment ended in 2025, R-410A is not banned for existing systems. It will remain readily available for servicing, repairs, and recharges for years to come. 
  • R-22 (Freon): Found only in heat pumps installed before 2010. R-22 is completely phased out, and supplies are extremely limited and expensive. If an aging R-22 unit develops a leak, replacement is generally the only practical option.

 

When Should a Heat Pump Be Replaced?

You should consider replacing or upgrading your heat pump if:

  • The System Is 12–15+ Years Old: The equipment is near the end of its reliable operating lifespan.
  • Frequent or Costly Repairs: Individual repair bills are approaching 50% of the cost of a new, high-efficiency unit.
  • Spiking Winter Energy Bills: The unit is struggling to keep up, constantly triggering emergency heat modes during cold snaps.
  • Refrigerant Leaks on Aging Units: Especially older systems using discontinued R-22.

 

Need Heat Pump Service?

Contact the experts at Field Plumbing & Heating.

Call us at 269-674-3839!

Schedule Service