Air-source and ductless mini-split heat pumps. Reversing valve, defrost control, compressor, capacitor, fan motor, refrigerant service. All major brands. EPA Section 608 Certified.
Chicago Heat Pump Repair You Can Count On
Heat pumps are growing fast in Chicago — driven by Inflation Reduction Act rebates, ComEd incentives, and homeowners moving away from gas heating. Modern heat pumps work efficiently in Chicago winters thanks to cold-climate technology from Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat, Daikin, and major US brands.
SAVA HVAC repairs all heat pump types — both air-source heat pumps (split systems) and ductless mini-split heat pumps. EPA Section 608 Certified for refrigerant handling. Family-owned, 5-star rated, serving Chicago and North Shore suburbs.
Common Heat Pump Problems We Fix
Reversing valve failure
System stuck in heat or cool mode, won't switch over. One of the most expensive heat pump repairs.
Defrost control board
Outdoor coil ices over heavily in winter. Defrost cycle isn't kicking in properly.
Run capacitor failure
Compressor or fan motor won't start. Common at 7-10 years.
Contactor failure
Relay that powers the outdoor unit. Pitted contacts cause intermittent or no operation.
Condenser fan motor
Outdoor fan not spinning, blade wobbling, or excessive bearing noise.
Refrigerant leaks
Low refrigerant reduces both heating and cooling capacity. Requires leak search and EPA-certified repair.
Compressor diagnosis
Major component. We diagnose and give honest repair-vs-replace recommendation.
Control board / inverter board
Variable-speed and communicating systems use complex controls that need brand-aware diagnosis.
Thermostat / communication errors
Heat pumps require specific thermostat configurations; misconfigured thermostats can damage the system.
Frozen outdoor coil
In winter, indicates defrost system failure. In summer, indicates airflow or refrigerant issue.
Symptoms — What Each Means
Running but not heating
Usually low refrigerant, failed reversing valve stuck in cool mode, or thermostat misconfiguration.
Running but not cooling
Low refrigerant, failed capacitor, reversing valve stuck in heat mode, or frozen indoor coil.
Won't turn on at all
Tripped breaker, failed contactor, blown fuse, control board failure, or thermostat issue.
Loud banging or grinding noise
Loose compressor mount or internal compressor damage. Turn off immediately and call us.
Outdoor unit covered in ice
Defrost system failure. Turn off, let ice melt, call us.
Air not warm enough in winter
Refrigerant issue, dirty coils, or supplemental heat strip failure.
Short cycling (on-off-on)
Capacitor going weak, thermostat issue, or refrigerant problem.
Higher than normal energy bills
System losing efficiency. Time for diagnostic.
Air-Source vs Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
SAVA services both types:
Air-source heat pumps (split system with ductwork) — most common in Chicago suburbs. Outdoor compressor unit + indoor air handler connected to existing ductwork. Brands: Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, Bryant, American Standard.
Ductless mini-split heat pumps — perfect for older Chicago homes without ductwork, additions, garages, basements, condos. One outdoor unit with 1-8 indoor heads. Brands: Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat, Daikin, LG, Fujitsu, Senville.
Emergency Heat Pump Repair
For after-hours heat pump failures — no heat in winter, no cool in summer — SAVA answers emergency calls 24/7 across Chicago and North Shore. Same-day arrival when available. See our emergency AC repair and emergency furnace repair pages for what to do before we arrive.
Why SAVA for Heat Pump Repair
EPA Section 608 Certified for refrigerant handling
Brand-aware diagnosis — air-source and mini-split systems have different failure patterns
Honest repair-versus-replace guidance based on age, condition, and remaining life
Common parts on the truck for first-visit repairs when possible
24/7 emergency dispatch for no-heat winter calls
Family-owned, 5-star rated, serving Chicago since 2017
Service area
SAVA covers Chicago and 75+ surrounding suburbs for heat pump repair:
Heat Pump Repair Chicago — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. SAVA HVAC repairs air-source heat pumps and ductless mini-split heat pumps across Chicago and North Shore suburbs. We service all major brands — Mitsubishi, Daikin, LG, Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, Bryant, and more. EPA Section 608 Certified for refrigerant handling.
The most common heat pump issues in Chicago: failed reversing valve (stuck in heat or cool mode), defrost control board faults (outdoor unit ices up in winter), low refrigerant from leaks, weak or failed run capacitor, condenser fan motor failure, frozen outdoor coil in winter, and thermostat/communication issues on variable-speed systems.
Most common causes: refrigerant low from a slow leak, failed reversing valve stuck in the wrong mode, thermostat set incorrectly (heat pumps require specific mode settings), or a failed compressor capacitor. Don't keep running the system — call us to diagnose. Running a heat pump that can't transfer heat damages the compressor.
Light frost is normal in winter — the unit goes through automatic defrost cycles every 30-90 minutes. Heavy ice covering the outdoor coil is NOT normal and means the defrost system has failed. Common causes: defrost control board, defrost thermostat, reversing valve issue, or low refrigerant. Turn the system OFF and call us — running an iced-up heat pump damages the compressor and fan blade.
All major brands — Mitsubishi (Hyper-Heat and standard), Daikin, LG, Carrier (Infinity, Performance, Comfort), Trane (XV, XL, XR), Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, Bryant, American Standard, York, and more. We diagnose both air-source heat pumps and ductless mini-split heat pump systems.
Yes. Ductless mini-split heat pumps are increasingly common in Chicago — perfect for older homes without ductwork and additions. We diagnose and repair the indoor head, outdoor compressor unit, refrigerant line set issues, control board faults, and communication errors.
Yes. SAVA HVAC takes emergency heat pump calls 24/7 across Chicago and North Shore suburbs. No-heat calls in winter and no-cool calls in summer are priority dispatch. See our emergency AC repair and emergency furnace repair pages for what to do before we arrive.
Depends on system age, repair cost, and remaining life. Generally: repair makes sense if under 10 years old and repair cost is less than 50% of replacement. Replacement starts to make economic sense at 12-15 years, especially with current IRA and ComEd heat pump rebates available. We give honest repair-versus-replace guidance — no sales quota.