Heat Pump Repair in Seattle-Tacoma
Ducted and ductless heat pump repair with upfront pricing, from NATE-certified technicians. Phones answered 24/7.
Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • NATE-certified technicians • Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer
Heat pump repair for Seattle-Tacoma homes
Home Comfort Alliance repairs ducted and ductless heat pumps for homeowners across the Seattle-Tacoma area and the wider Puget Sound region. A NATE-certified technician finds the cause, gives you an upfront price before any work begins, and repairs the system or tells you plainly if replacement makes more sense. We service all major brands, we are a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer and a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, and our phones are answered 24/7.
No heat on a cold night? If your thermostat has an emergency heat (EM HEAT) setting, switch to it to keep the house warm on backup heat, then call us. If you smell burning or see sparks, turn the system off at the thermostat and breaker first. See emergency heat pump repair.
Signs your heat pump needs repair
Call for heat pump repair when the system blows cool air in heat mode, runs without reaching the set temperature, stays iced over, or starts making new noises. The most common warning signs are:
- Lukewarm or cool air from the vents while the thermostat is on HEAT.
- A solid coat of ice on the outdoor unit that stays after a defrost cycle. Light frost in cold, damp weather is normal.
- AUX or EM HEAT showing on the thermostat most of the day in mild weather, or a sudden jump in your electric bill.
- The system turns on and off every few minutes (short cycling).
- Grinding, screeching, banging or loud buzzing from the outdoor unit. A soft whoosh as it switches in or out of defrost is normal.
- Water leaking around the indoor air handler or from a ductless head.
- The outdoor fan won't spin, or a breaker keeps tripping.
More detail: why your heat pump is blowing cold air, why your heat pump isn't working right this winter and how to spot trouble with your heat pump.
What to check before you call
These checks take about ten minutes and clear a fair number of no-heat calls. Leave refrigerant, wiring and the outdoor unit's panels to a technician.
- Thermostat: set to HEAT, a few degrees above room temperature, with the fan on AUTO. Replace the batteries if the screen is blank.
- Power: a heat pump has two breakers, one for the outdoor unit and one for the indoor air handler or furnace. Check both, plus the disconnect switch on the wall beside the outdoor unit.
- Filter: a clogged filter starves the system of air. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests cleaning or changing filters every three months or as the manufacturer recommends.
- Outdoor unit: clear snow, leaves and plants from around it. Don't chip ice off the coil; Carrier warns that it can damage the unit.
- Defrost: in cold, wet weather the outdoor fan stops and the unit may steam for a few minutes while it melts frost off the coil. Give it time before calling.
If it still won't heat, call us. Don't keep resetting breakers; a breaker that trips again is a safety signal.
Ducted vs ductless heat pump repair
Ducted and ductless heat pumps share the same basic parts, so many repairs overlap, but where the trouble shows up depends on the type you have.
If your heat pump is ducted (central), an outdoor unit works with an indoor air handler, or with a gas furnace on a dual-fuel system. The usual culprits are capacitors and contactors, outdoor fan and indoor blower motors, defrost controls and sensors, the reversing valve that switches between heating and cooling, refrigerant leaks, and the backup heat strips in the air handler.
If your heat pump is ductless (a mini-split), one outdoor unit serves one or more wall, ceiling or floor heads. Common problems are clogged condensate lines that drip water from a head, dirty coils and blower wheels, sensor and communication errors, and refrigerant leaks at the line connections. See ductless mini-splits for how these systems work.
What does heat pump repair cost in the Seattle area?
Most Seattle heat pump repairs cost $220 to $2,220, according to Angi's Seattle HVAC repair data (regional estimate, May 2026), and the average Seattle HVAC repair is $389. A capacitor sits at the low end; a compressor or coil replacement costs the most. Updated October 2026.
| Repair | Seattle cost range (Angi, May 2026) |
|---|---|
| Capacitor | $110 to $280 |
| Thermostat | $110 to $650 |
| Blower or fan motor | $160 to $2,160 |
| Refrigerant leak | $280 to $1,670 |
| Coil replacement | $550 to $2,500 |
| Compressor | $900 to $2,900 |
Source: Angi, Seattle HVAC repair cost (May 2026). These are regional estimates, not Home Comfort Alliance prices.
For parts that only heat pumps have, Angi's national data (May 2026) puts a reversing valve at $200 to $650 and an electrical or control board at $150 to $700, with a national average heat pump repair of $410.
Home Comfort Alliance service prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dispatch (trip) fee | $119 |
| Standard diagnostic fee | $72 |
| Deeper diagnostic fee | $130 |
| After-hours fee | $330 |
| Thermostat replacement | $299 to $1,840 |
Prices as of September 2026. Fees are listed separately.
You approve an upfront, written price before any repair begins. Current offer: $50 off HVAC service or repair (see special offers). Bigger repairs can be financed through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, with plans starting at $179/month* and 0% interest options for qualifying customers (financing).
Repairs don't qualify for utility rebates, and the federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Utility rebates go to new heat pump installations; if you end up replacing, see the heat pump cost and rebate guide.
*Financing through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and monthly payments depend on the amount financed, the plan and your credit. 0% interest options are available to qualifying customers. See lender for full terms.
Get an estimateA comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.
Repair or replace your heat pump?
Repair is usually the right call when the heat pump has been reliable, the fix is a small share of the cost of a new system, and the compressor and coils are sound. Replacement starts to make sense when:
- The compressor or outdoor coil has failed on an older system. These are the most expensive repairs, at $900 to $2,900 and $550 to $2,500 in Seattle (Angi, May 2026).
- The system's age times the repair cost is over $5,000 (the "$5,000 rule").
- It runs on R-22 refrigerant. U.S. production and import of R-22 ended January 1, 2020; EPA says existing systems can keep running on reclaimed supply, but refrigerant repairs on them get costly.
- You are paying for repairs every season, or the backup heat carries the house most of the winter.
Our technicians will tell you which way they would go and why. If replacement wins, see heat pump installation or HVAC replacement, and get a price range in about 30 seconds with our instant quote tool.
How our heat pump repair works
- Call or request a visit. Our phones are answered 24/7, with same-day and after-hours service across our service area.
- Diagnosis. A NATE-certified technician tests the system in heating and cooling modes, measures the refrigerant charge, checks electrical connections, defrost controls, backup heat and airflow, and finds the cause rather than the symptom.
- Upfront price. You get the price before any work begins, plus a straight answer on repair vs replace.
- Repair. We fix ducted and ductless heat pumps of all major brands.
- Test. We run a full heating cycle, confirm defrost and backup heat work, and walk you through what we found.
What you get with Home Comfort Alliance
- Upfront, transparent pricing before any work begins.
- NATE-certified technicians who service all major heat pump brands, ducted and ductless.
- Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer, Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and Quilt dealer.
- 24/7 emergency service; our phones are answered around the clock.
- Home Comfort Club members get priority scheduling, discounted repair rates and extended labor coverage on repairs, up to 5 years from installation (membership plans from $15 a month).
- Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington.
- Best Pick Reports Best Pick 2025 and 2026; BBB Accredited Business since 2002.
Heat pump repair FAQ
What is emergency heat / aux heat?
Aux (auxiliary) heat is backup heat, usually electric heat strips in the air handler or a gas furnace on a dual-fuel system, that your thermostat turns on automatically to help the heat pump, for example when it is below about 40°F outside, during a defrost cycle, or when you raise the setting by more than a few degrees. Emergency heat (EM HEAT) is a setting you switch on yourself: it shuts the heat pump off and runs only the backup heat. Trane advises using it only when the heat pump has failed in cold weather, then calling for service, because heat strips use more energy than the heat pump. If AUX shows most of the day in mild weather, the heat pump likely needs repair.
Can a heat pump be repaired?
Yes. Most heat pump problems, such as a failed capacitor, contactor, fan motor, defrost control or a refrigerant leak, are repairable. Replacement only makes more sense when a major part like the compressor or coil fails on an older system, or repairs keep adding up.
How much does heat pump repair cost in Seattle?
Angi puts most Seattle heat pump repairs at $220 to $2,220, with the average Seattle HVAC repair at $389 (regional estimate, May 2026). A capacitor is at the low end; a compressor runs $900 to $2,900. Home Comfort Alliance charges a $119 dispatch fee and a $72 standard diagnostic fee, and you approve an upfront price before any repair starts.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air?
Check that the thermostat is on HEAT, not COOL, and that the fan is on AUTO rather than ON. Air can also feel cool for a few minutes during a defrost cycle. If it keeps blowing cool air, the cause is often a clogged filter, low refrigerant from a leak, a failed reversing valve or an outdoor unit that has stopped running, and a technician should diagnose it.
Why is my heat pump covered in ice?
A light frost in cold, damp weather is normal, and the defrost cycle melts it. A thick coat of ice that stays usually points to a defrost control or sensor fault, low refrigerant, a failed outdoor fan motor, or water dripping onto the unit from a gutter. Don't chip the ice off. Switch to emergency heat if you have it and call for repair.
Why does my heat pump run all the time?
In cold weather a heat pump runs long, steady cycles by design, so long run times alone are normal. If it runs constantly and the house never reaches the set temperature, or your bills jump, the cause can be a dirty filter or coil, low refrigerant, backup heat doing the work, or a failing part.
Is it worth repairing an old heat pump?
Often yes, if it has been reliable and the repair is small. Use the $5,000 rule as a rough guide: multiply the system's age by the repair cost, and if the result is over $5,000, get a replacement quote too. A failed compressor on an older system, or a refrigerant leak on an R-22 system, usually points to replacement.
Do you repair all heat pump brands, including ductless?
Yes. Home Comfort Alliance services all major heat pump brands, ducted and ductless. We are also a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer, a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and a Quilt dealer for new equipment.
Is there a charge for a heat pump repair visit?
Yes. Service and repair visits carry a $119 dispatch fee, and diagnosis is a $72 standard or $130 deeper diagnostic fee, listed separately. After-hours visits carry a $330 after-hours fee. You see and approve the repair price before we start.
Do heat pump repairs qualify for rebates?
No. Utility rebates in Washington go to new heat pump installations, not repairs, and the federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Home Comfort Alliance is an approved contractor for PSE, Tacoma Power, Seattle City Light, Snohomish PUD and other utility programs if you decide to replace.
Sources: Angi (Seattle HVAC repair cost data and national heat pump repair cost data, May 2026), Trane (auxiliary and emergency heat), Carrier (heat pump troubleshooting), U.S. Department of Energy (heat pump maintenance), EPA (R-22 phaseout), IRS (25C credit), all checked October 2026.
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance for Heat Pump Repair?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
We promise...
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during every visit, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Get your heat pump fixed
Tell us what your heat pump is doing and a comfort advisor will set up a repair visit. Our phones are answered 24/7.
Get an estimate
A local comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.