Homeowner Guide
A heat pump can feel different from a gas furnace, especially during cold snaps or defrost cycles. The useful question is whether the system is holding the home, falling behind, switching to auxiliary heat, or showing a safety clue.
Confirm the thermostat is set to Heat and set above room temperature. Note whether it says auxiliary heat, emergency heat, defrost, heat pump, or just Heat. Also write down the indoor temperature and whether the home is slowly warming, holding steady, or continuing to drop.
Tell Scott whether the indoor blower runs, whether the outdoor unit is running, quiet, humming, iced over, or cycling in short bursts. Light frost can be normal in winter operation, but heavy ice, no outdoor response, repeated starts, or a house that keeps getting colder needs a diagnostic.
Shut the system off and stop resetting breakers if you notice smoke, arcing, a hot electrical smell, burning plastic, or a breaker that trips again. If the concern is normal poor heating, request the $95 Springfield Diagnostic. Nearby towns may cost more based on drive time and location.
Compare with the cold-air heating guide