Heat Pump Repair in Ottawa
Defrost faults, ice build-up, reversing valves and backup heat problems, fixed in any season
- 5.0 · 396 Google reviews
- TSSA & HRAI approved
- 24/7 emergency service
- Family-owned since 2005
Defrost faults, ice build-up, reversing valves and backup heat problems, fixed in any season
- Free estimates on new installations
- Financing from $49/month (OAC)
- All makes and models serviced
Heat pump repair for every season
A heat pump works nearly every month of the year, so it can fail at +32 °C in July or at −22 °C in January. Oria provides heat pump repair in Ottawa for ducted systems, hybrid dual-fuel setups and ductless mini-splits of every make and model.
Many Ottawa heat pumps share the job with a gas furnace. That matters for repairs: a no-heat call might be the heat pump, the furnace or the controls that switch between them. Every Oria technician holds both refrigeration and gas licences, so one visit can diagnose the whole system instead of two trades pointing at each other.
Same-day repair is often possible, and if your heat pump and backup both fail on a frigid night, our 24/7 emergency service is a phone call away. As Phil G. wrote: “Mansoor was incredibly fast to respond, offered help over the phone and came over the following morning. He’s a total pro, diagnosed the problem within a few minutes…”
Normal defrost or a real problem?
In winter, the outdoor coil of a heat pump runs below freezing, so frost forms on it, especially in damp weather between about −10 °C and +5 °C. Every so often the unit runs a defrost cycle: it briefly switches into cooling mode, the outdoor fan stops, and the frost melts off in a cloud of steam. A whoosh of refrigerant at the start and end is normal too.
| What you see | Normal? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Light, even frost on the coil that clears every hour or two | Yes | Nothing. The defrost cycle is doing its job. |
| Steam rising from the unit, fan stopped for 5–15 minutes | Yes | Nothing. This is a defrost cycle. |
| Ice thickening over several hours and never clearing | No | Switch to emergency or backup heat and book a repair. |
| Ice on the top panel, fan grille or blades | No | Often water dripping from the roof. Turn the unit off and call us. |
| Thick ice built up in the base pan | No | Meltwater cannot drain away. The unit may need raising or a drain fix. |
Never chip at ice with a shovel or scraper. The aluminum fins and copper tubing are thin and easily punctured, which turns an inexpensive defrost repair into a refrigerant leak.
Common heat pump problems we fix
These are the faults we diagnose most often on Ottawa heat pumps. Some are specific to heat pumps; others are shared with air conditioners, which we cover on our AC repair page.
Defrost failures
A failed defrost control board, coil sensor or outdoor temperature sensor stops the unit from clearing frost, so ice builds until heating output collapses.
Reversing valve faults
The valve that flips the system between heating and cooling can stick, or its solenoid coil can fail, leaving cold air in heat mode or warm air in summer.
Refrigerant leaks
Low charge cuts heating capacity first in cold weather. We find the leak, repair it where practical and recharge to specification.
Backup heat running nonstop
If auxiliary heat or the furnace runs constantly, hydro or gas bills jump. The cause can be thermostat setup, a failed sensor or a weak heat pump.
Dual-fuel switchover problems
In hybrid systems, the furnace may not take over in deep cold, or may take over too early. Usually a control, wiring or settings issue.
Learn more →Inverter and fan faults
Variable-speed units report error codes. Common causes include fan motors, capacitors, sensors and control boards.
Typical heat pump repair costs in Ottawa
Most heat pump repairs fall in the same range as air conditioner repairs, because the outdoor equipment shares many of the same parts. The table shows typical costs for the problems we see most.
| Symptom | Likely causes | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cold air from vents in heat mode | Reversing valve solenoid, thermostat wiring or setting, low refrigerant | $150–$1,200 |
| Outdoor unit iced over, not defrosting | Defrost board, coil sensor, outdoor fan motor | $150–$900 |
| Bills jumped, backup heat always on | Thermostat configuration, outdoor sensor, low charge | $150–$900 |
| Furnace not taking over in deep cold | Dual-fuel controls, outdoor sensor, wiring | $150–$600 |
| Outdoor unit will not start | Capacitor, contactor, inverter board fault | $150–$1,200 |
| Compressor failed | Age, refrigerant problems, electrical failure | $1,800–$3,500 |
These are typical ranges, not quotes, and you approve the price before work begins. Replacing the reversing valve body itself means recovering the refrigerant and brazing in a new valve, so it costs considerably more than a solenoid; we will quote it and compare it with replacement. If the problem turns out to be on the furnace side, our furnace repair pricing applies.
How we diagnose a heat pump
- 1
Phone triage
We ask what the thermostat shows, the outdoor temperature, any error codes and whether the backup heat is working, so we arrive prepared.
- 2
Check the whole system
The technician runs the heat pump in heating, cooling and backup modes, because a fault in one mode often explains a symptom in another.
- 3
Force a defrost test
We trigger a defrost cycle and watch the valve, fan and sensors respond, then measure refrigerant pressures and temperatures.
- 4
Test controls and switchover
On hybrid systems, we confirm the thermostat or control board hands off to the furnace at the right outdoor temperature.
- 5
Price, repair and verify
You get a clear explanation and price before work starts. After the repair, we confirm steady heat output and a clean defrost.
What to do while you wait for a technician
A heat pump problem in winter is rarely an emergency if you have backup heat. These steps keep the house warm and protect the equipment until we arrive.
Switch to emergency or backup heat
At the thermostat. In a hybrid system, this runs the gas furnace on its own.
Clear snow gently
From around and on top of the outdoor unit by hand or with a soft brush. Do not chip at ice.
Look up.
If water is dripping from the eaves onto the unit, a gutter or a small roof deflector may fix the root cause.
Check the filter
And make sure supply and return registers are open; poor airflow makes every heat pump problem worse.
Do not keep resetting breakers.
If the breaker trips twice, leave it off.
If you have no heat at all and the temperature is dropping, call our 24/7 emergency HVAC service at (613) 866-1869.
Preventing repeat heat pump repairs
Many heat pump breakdowns we see in Ottawa trace back to how the unit was installed or how rarely it has been serviced. A heat pump should be maintained twice a year: in spring for cooling and in fall before heating season, when we test the defrost controls, reversing valve and backup heat.
Placement matters as much as maintenance. Units set directly on the ground get buried in snow and sit in their own meltwater. Units under a roof edge get coated in ice. We can raise an existing unit on a stand or wall bracket, add a drip deflector or improve drainage, which often ends a cycle of winter service calls.
Book your seasonal service through our AC and heat pump maintenance page. If your heat pump is more than 12 to 15 years old or needs a compressor, we will price a new cold-climate heat pump alongside the repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers from licensed Ottawa technicians. Still have a question? Call us any time.
Why is my heat pump covered in ice?
Light frost is normal in winter and should clear during regular defrost cycles. A heat pump encased in thick ice usually has a failed defrost board or sensor, a fan problem, low refrigerant, or water dripping on it from the roof. Switch to backup heat, clear snow gently without chipping ice, and book a repair so the coil is not damaged.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air in heat mode?
During a defrost cycle, air from the vents can feel cool for a few minutes, which is normal. If it stays cold, likely causes are a stuck reversing valve or failed solenoid, a thermostat wiring or setting problem, or low refrigerant. A technician can test each one quickly. Use emergency or backup heat in the meantime.
How much does heat pump repair cost in Ottawa?
Most heat pump repairs in Ottawa cost $150–$1,200, including defrost controls, sensors, capacitors, fan motors and many refrigerant leak repairs. A compressor replacement typically runs $1,800–$3,500. Replacing a reversing valve body costs more than most repairs because the refrigerant must be recovered. Oria gives you the price before any work starts.
Is it normal for my heat pump to steam and make a whooshing noise?
Yes. That is a defrost cycle. The unit briefly reverses to warm the outdoor coil, the fan stops, frost melts and steam rises, often with a whoosh as refrigerant changes direction. Cycles typically last 5 to 15 minutes. It becomes a problem only if ice keeps building between cycles or the unit never clears.
Why is my auxiliary or emergency heat always on?
Constant auxiliary heat usually means the heat pump is not keeping up or the thermostat is configured incorrectly. Common causes are wrong backup-heat settings, a failed outdoor sensor, low refrigerant or a defrost fault. Because backup heat costs more to run, it is worth booking a repair if it runs for long periods in mild weather.
Do you repair ductless mini-split heat pumps?
Yes. Oria repairs ductless mini-splits of all major brands, including single-zone and multi-zone systems. Common issues are clogged filters, dirty indoor coils, drainage problems, fan motors, sensors and refrigerant leaks. Error codes on the indoor unit or remote help us narrow down the fault before we arrive.
Should I repair or replace my heat pump?
Repair is usually best for a heat pump under 10 years old with a control, sensor, capacitor or fan problem. Consider replacement if the unit is 12 to 15 years old, needs a compressor at $1,800–$3,500, has a major refrigerant leak, or struggles to heat below −10 °C. Newer cold-climate models perform far better in Ottawa winters.
Book Service or Get a Free Estimate
Tell us what is going on and we will call you back with honest advice and a written estimate. Financing from $49/month on approved credit.
- Licensed gas & refrigeration technicians
- 5.0 stars from 396 Google reviews
- 24/7 emergency service
5.0 Stars from Ottawa Homeowners
Every review below is from a real Oria customer on Google.
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Serving Ottawa, Gatineau and the Surrounding Area
Based at 925 Longfields Dr in Nepean, our technicians cover the whole capital region.