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Heat Pump Repair in Georgia

A heat pump heats and cools, so when it fails you can lose both. What's normal (steam, defrost cycles), what isn't, and what heat pump repairs usually cost.

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Technician servicing an outdoor heat pump unit beside a Georgia home

Georgia requires a conditioned air contractor license
Check the breaker and filter before you call
R-22 hasn't been made since 2020
Get the diagnosis and price in writing

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Georgia HVAC Repair is an independent referral service that connects Georgia homeowners with participating independent HVAC contractors for heat pump repair. Heat pumps are common in Georgia because the climate is mild enough for them to heat efficiently most of the winter. This page explains how they fail and what a repair involves.

What's normal for a heat pump

Some heat pump behavior looks alarming but is normal. In cold, damp weather the outdoor unit periodically runs a defrost cycle: the fan stops, the unit may hiss or click, and you may see steam rising. Light frost on the coil that clears on its own is normal. On very cold days, the system may switch on auxiliary heat (electric heat strips) to help keep up.

Signs your heat pump needs repair

No heat or no cooling
Thick ice that doesn't clear, or ice on the top of the unit
Blowing cool air in heat mode
Auxiliary or emergency heat running constantly (watch your power bill)
The unit won't switch between heating and cooling
Short cycling, loud grinding or banging, or a burning smell

Common causes

Defrost control problems that let ice build up
Reversing valve failure, which keeps the system stuck in heating or cooling
Capacitor, contactor, or fan motor failure, as with air conditioners
Low refrigerant from a leak, which hurts heating and cooling
Thermostat setup: thermostats for heat pumps need correct configuration

Repair or replace a heat pump

ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement if a heat pump is more than 10 years old or needs frequent repairs (ENERGY STAR). New split-system heat pumps must meet a federal minimum of 14.3 SEER2 for cooling (U.S. Department of Energy). Use our repair or replace calculator to weigh your own system.

When to call an HVAC professional

Ice that doesn't clear after a defrost cycle
No heat, or cool air in heat mode
Emergency or auxiliary heat running all the time
The system won't switch modes
Burning smells or a breaker that keeps tripping

What heat pump repair costs

HomeAdvisor's 2026 data puts most heat pump repairs at $161–$661, averaging about $410 (HomeAdvisor, 2026). Typical parts: capacitor $150–$250, refrigerant $100–$350, defrost control board $200–$650, condenser coil $650–$1,500, and compressor $800–$3,500.

The failed part
System age and refrigerant type
Access to the indoor unit
After-hours service

Outdoor heat pump unit with light frost on the coil on a winter morning

Safe checks before you call

Thermostat: confirm the mode (Heat, Cool, or Auto) and the setting.
Breakers: check both the outdoor unit and the indoor air handler breakers.
Filter: replace a dirty filter.
Outdoor unit: clear leaves, snow, or debris. Don't chip ice off the coil.
Emergency heat: if the outdoor unit has failed, setting the thermostat to Emergency Heat can keep you warm with the heat strips until a repair (it costs more to run).

Questions to ask the contractor

Do you hold a current Georgia conditioned air contractor license?
What's the diagnostic fee, and is it credited toward the repair?
Will you give me the diagnosis and price in writing before you start?
Is the defrost system working correctly?
How old is the unit, and what refrigerant does it use?
Would a repair or a new heat pump make more sense here?

Related HVAC guides

Straight comparison

What you can safely check vs. what needs a technician

Symptom	Safe to check yourself	Call an HVAC technician
AC won't turn on	Thermostat set to cool and below room temperature, batteries, breaker, the outdoor disconnect switch	Breaker trips again, humming outdoor unit with a stopped fan, burning smell
Blowing warm air	Thermostat setting, a clogged filter, the outdoor unit blocked by debris	Outdoor fan or compressor not running, ice on the lines, warm air with a clean filter
Weak airflow	Replace the filter, open closed supply vents	Frozen coil, failing blower motor, disconnected ductwork
Water around the indoor unit	Turn the system off, check the condensate drain pan and float switch	Clogged condensate line, cracked pan, frozen evaporator coil
Ice on the lines or coil	Turn cooling off and run the fan to thaw it; change the filter	Low refrigerant (a leak), airflow or blower problems
Refrigerant, electrical, or gas work	Not DIY	Refrigerant handling requires EPA Section 608 certification; electrical and gas repairs need a licensed contractor

What to expect

What happens during an HVAC service call

Questions and a quick check
The technician asks what you have noticed (warm air, noises, ice, water, short cycling) and checks the thermostat, breaker, and filter before opening the equipment.
Diagnosis
Electrical tests on the capacitor, contactor, and motors, a look at the coils and drain, and refrigerant pressure readings where needed. Diagnostic or service-call fees commonly run $75 to $200.
Price before the repair
You should get the diagnosis and a price before work starts, and for an older system, an honest note on whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
Repair
Common parts like capacitors and contactors are often replaced the same visit. Refrigerant leak repair, compressors, and coils may need parts ordered or a return trip.
Test and paperwork
The system is run and temperatures checked. You get an invoice listing parts, labor, any refrigerant added, and warranty terms.

How the referral works

How our HVAC contractor-matching service works

You call the number on this site
Have the property's address or ZIP code ready, plus a short description: AC blowing warm air, no heat, water leaking, strange noises.
Your call is routed to a participating contractor
Your call is connected with a participating independent HVAC service provider who serves your area, if one is available. We do not send a technician ourselves.
You deal with that contractor directly
The contractor diagnoses the system, quotes the repair, and does the work under their own business name, license, and insurance. You decide whether to hire them; there is no obligation.

Good to know: availability depends on which participating contractors cover your ZIP code and how busy they are, especially during summer heat waves, and not every contractor offers every service. Ask about their Georgia conditioned air license, insurance, written price, and timeline before work starts. Our HVAC guides cover what to ask.

Request Heating or Cooling Assistance

Call and we will try to connect you with a participating independent HVAC contractor who serves your area.

Call (770) 679-7684

Questions

Heat Pump Repair questions

Why is my heat pump blowing cool air in heat mode?

During a defrost cycle it can briefly blow cooler air, which is normal. If it continues, causes include a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant, a thermostat set up incorrectly, or a failed outdoor unit with auxiliary heat not working. Call a technician.

Is it normal for a heat pump to steam or ice up?

Steam and light frost that clear during a defrost cycle are normal in cold, damp weather. Thick ice that stays, or ice covering the top of the unit, is not, and usually means a defrost control, fan, or refrigerant problem.

How much does heat pump repair cost?

HomeAdvisor's 2026 data puts most heat pump repairs at $161–$661, averaging about $410. Compressor repairs can reach $800–$3,500.

Does Georgia HVAC Repair do the work?

No. Georgia HVAC Repair is an independent referral service. Your call is connected with a participating independent HVAC contractor who serves your area, if one is available, and that contractor does the work.

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