# Heat Pump Repair Foley AL | Foley AC Repair

> Heat pump blowing cold, iced over or stuck on emergency heat? Get a licensed, insured HVAC contractor. Phone answered 24/7: (251) 270-2500.

URL: https://foleyalacrepair.com/heat-pump-repair/

![Heat pump with steam rising from the coil on a frosty coastal Alabama morning](/images/misc/outdoor-heat-pump-running-on-a-frosty-coastal-alab.webp)

Foley & South Baldwin County

# Heat Pump Repair in Foley When It Won't Heat or Cool

Last updated: September 23, 2026

Repair for heat pumps that will not heat or cool, defrost faults and heat strip problems. One call reaches a licensed, insured contractor.

Call (251) 270-2500

[tel:2512702500 →](tel:2512702500)

Phone answered 24/7 • Call about AC repair availability

**Phone Answered 24/7**

Talk to someone any time.

**Licensed & Insured**

Alabama HVAC contractors only.

**Check Availability**

Call about AC repair availability.

**No Referral Fee**

Nothing to pay for the connection.

Licensed and insured Alabama HVAC contractors

Phone answered 24/7

Call about AC repair availability

No referral fee to the caller

Sound Familiar?

## When a Heat Pump Fails, Both Seasons Suffer

01

### No heat on a cold morning

Cold snaps are short here, but a heat pump that blows cool air on a 30-degree morning still leaves the house cold.

02

### Stuck on emergency heat

Running on heat strips alone keeps you warm but can cost far more to run. It often points to a defrost or reversing valve problem.

03

### Ice that won't clear

A light frost and some steam are normal. A thick block of ice on the outdoor coil that never melts means the defrost cycle isn't working.

## Heat Pump Repair in Foley

Most homes on the coast heat and cool with a heat pump, so one failure can take out both. Contractors we connect you with diagnose reversing valves, defrost boards and sensors, low refrigerant and failed heat strips, then explain the repair options. Cold snaps are short here, but a dead heat pump on a 30-degree morning is still urgent.

Call **(251) 270-2500**. The phone is answered 24/7, and we connect you with a 

licensed, insured HVAC contractor

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. Service availability and appointment times depend on the independent contractor.

## How a Heat Pump Heats Your Home

In winter, a heat pump runs its refrigeration cycle in reverse. The **reversing valve** switches the flow so the outdoor coil gathers heat and the indoor coil releases it. A **TXV** or other metering device controls refrigerant flow, and a **suction line accumulator** protects the compressor from liquid refrigerant.

On cold, damp mornings, frost forms on the outdoor coil. A **defrost control board** and **defrost sensor** watch for it and switch the system briefly back to cooling to melt it off. That is the steam and whoosh you sometimes see. During defrost, **auxiliary heat strips** in the air handler keep the air from the vents warm.

When the heat pump cannot keep up at all, the thermostat’s **emergency heat** setting runs the heat strips alone. It works, but it costs much more to run.

## Common Heat Pump Problems

### Not heating, or blowing cool air

A stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant from a leak or a failed heat strip sequencer are common causes. Thermostat settings are worth checking first. Read 

heat pump not heating

[/guide/heat-pump-not-heating/ →](/guide/heat-pump-not-heating/)

 for safe checks.

### Iced over and staying that way

Light frost that clears every so often is normal. A coil encased in ice points to a failed defrost sensor or board, low charge or a fan problem. See 

the heat pump defrost cycle explained

[/guide/heat-pump-defrost-cycle/ →](/guide/heat-pump-defrost-cycle/)

.

### Stuck on AUX or EM heat

If auxiliary heat runs constantly in mild weather, the heat pump may not be pulling its weight, and your bill will show it. Some systems use an **outdoor ambient thermostat** to lock out the heat pump or heat strips at certain temperatures, and a wrong setting can cause trouble. Learn 

what emergency heat means

[/guide/emergency-heat-heat-pump-thermostat/ →](/guide/emergency-heat-heat-pump-thermostat/)

.

### Not cooling in summer

A reversing valve stuck in heating mode, or any of the usual AC faults, can stop a heat pump from cooling. The same call covers it.

## Heat Pump Service in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Beach-town heat pumps face salt air on the outdoor coil all year, which adds corrosion to normal wear. Condo units on balconies and rooftops are harder to reach, and raised beach houses have outdoor units on elevated stands. The contractor can coordinate access with building managers.

## Heat Strip and Emergency Heat Repair

Heat strips fail in a few predictable ways: a burned-out element, a failed sequencer or relay, or a tripped limit switch. The contractor tests each one. If you are on a **dual-fuel** system, the gas furnace side gets checked too.

What the thermostat and the outdoor unit are telling you:

| What you see | What it means | When to call |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HEAT | The heat pump alone is heating the house | Air from the vents stays cool, or it runs nonstop and cannot keep up |
| AUX heat | Heat strips are helping the heat pump | It shows almost all the time in mild weather |
| EM heat | Heat strips only; the heat pump is locked out | You need it at all, since the heat pump is not doing its job |
| Frost and steam on the outdoor unit | A normal defrost cycle | Ice stays on the coil and does not clear |

## Efficiency and Replacement

If your heat pump is old, uses R-22 or needs a compressor, ask for a replacement quote. New heat pumps carry **HSPF2** heating efficiency ratings alongside SEER2. Our guide to 

heat pump vs furnace on the Gulf Coast

[/guide/heat-pump-vs-furnace-gulf-coast/ →](/guide/heat-pump-vs-furnace-gulf-coast/)

 compares options for mild coastal winters.

Why Call This Number

## Why Use Foley AC Repair for Heat Pump Repair?

You get a licensed, insured contractor, and you approve the price before anything starts.

### Heat pump focused

Heat pumps are the main heating system on the coast, and one call covers both the heating and cooling side.

### Answered 24/7

The phone is answered around the clock. Service availability and appointment times depend on the independent contractor.

### Licensed and insured

Every contractor holds an Alabama HVAC license and carries liability insurance.

### No referral fee

Nothing to pay for the connection.

One Call, Four Steps

## How Does Heat Pump Repair Work Through Foley AC Repair?

Foley AC Repair is a referral line, not a contractor. Here is what happens when you call.

1.  01
    
    ### Call (251) 270-2500
    
    Say whether it will not heat, will not cool or is iced up, plus your town and property type.
    
2.  02
    
    ### Get connected
    
    We connect you with a licensed, insured HVAC contractor. Availability depends on the contractor.
    
3.  03
    
    ### Diagnosis and estimate
    
    Thermostat, heat strips, reversing valve, defrost controls and charge are checked, then the fix is quoted.
    
4.  04
    
    ### Heat restored
    
    Approve the repair and the contractor completes it and bills you directly.
    

## Need Heat Pump Repair?

Phone answered 24/7. No referral fee.

(251) 270-2500

[tel:2512702500 →](tel:2512702500)

What These Jobs Look Like

## Common Heat Pump Repair Situations on the Coast

Typical problems and setups contractors see in Foley homes, beach houses and condos. Tap any photo to enlarge.

Iced coil from a defrost fault

Stuck on emergency heat

Heat strip inspection

Cool air from the vents in heat mode

![](data:,)

Questions Callers Ask

## Heat Pump Repair Questions From Foley and Beach Callers

### Why is my heat pump blowing cool air?

It could be a normal defrost cycle, which lasts a few minutes. If it continues, the cause may be a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant or failed heat strips. Call for a diagnosis.

### Is steam coming off my heat pump in winter normal?

Usually yes. It is the defrost cycle melting frost off the outdoor coil. Thick ice that does not clear, or no heat indoors, needs a contractor.

### Should I switch to emergency heat?

Use it as a temporary backup while you wait for repair. It runs only the indoor heat strips, which work but cost more to run.

### Why is AUX heat showing on my thermostat?

Auxiliary heat is normal on cold mornings and during defrost. If AUX runs constantly in mild weather, the heat pump may not be doing its share.

### Do heat pumps work in Alabama cold snaps?

Yes. On the coast they handle most winter days on their own, and heat strips help on the coldest mornings.

### Can a heat pump problem affect cooling too?

Yes. The same unit heats and cools, so a reversing valve, compressor or refrigerant problem can affect both seasons.

### How much does heat pump repair cost?

Your contractor sets the price. Cost depends on the part and access. This site does not set prices.

### Should I repair my heat pump or replace it?

If the system is old, corroded or needs a major part like a compressor, ask for a replacement quote alongside the repair so you can compare.

### Do you cover inland towns like Summerdale and Magnolia Springs?

Yes. We take calls from Summerdale, Magnolia Springs, Elberta and the rest of South Baldwin County.

Still have a question?

Call and describe what your system is doing. The phone is answered 24/7.

Call (251) 270-2500

[tel:2512702500 →](tel:2512702500)

Plain-English Answers

## Heat Pump Repair Guides

Plain-English answers for Gulf Coast homes, condos and rentals.

Guide

### Heat Pump Defrost Cycle: Is Frost and Steam on the Outdoor Unit Normal?

Steam and a whoosh from your heat pump are usually normal defrost. Learn when heavy ice means a sensor or board fault.

Read guide

[Heat Pump Defrost Cycle: Is Frost and Steam on the Outdoor Unit Normal? →](/guide/heat-pump-defrost-cycle/)

 

Guide

### Heat Pump Not Heating: Common Causes on Cold Coastal Mornings

Thermostat mode, reversing valve, low refrigerant, failed heat strips or defrost faults: safe checks and when to call.

Read guide

[Heat Pump Not Heating: Common Causes on Cold Coastal Mornings →](/guide/heat-pump-not-heating/)

 

Guide

### What Does Emergency Heat Mean on a Heat Pump Thermostat?

Aux vs emergency heat, what heat strips cost to run, when to switch EM heat on, and signs the heat pump itself has failed.

Read guide

[What Does Emergency Heat Mean on a Heat Pump Thermostat? →](/guide/emergency-heat-heat-pump-thermostat/)

 

Decision guide

### Heat Pump vs Furnace on the Gulf Coast

Mild coastal winters favor heat pumps. Compare heat strips vs gas furnaces, operating costs and dual-fuel options for South Baldwin homes.

Read guide

[Heat Pump vs Furnace on the Gulf Coast →](/guide/heat-pump-vs-furnace-gulf-coast/)

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Phone answered 24/7

## Need Heat Pump Repair in Foley or the Beaches?

One call connects you with a licensed, insured HVAC contractor. Availability depends on the contractor. No referral fee.

Call about AC repair availability 

(251) 270-2500

[tel:2512702500 →](tel:2512702500)

-   Licensed and insured Alabama HVAC contractors
-   Phone answered 24/7
-   Call about AC repair availability
-   No referral fee to the caller