Heat Pump
Repair | Service | Installation
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Heat Pump Repair | Installation | Service
Expert Heat Pump Repair, Service, and Installation – Schedule Today!
Is your heat pump struggling to keep your home comfortable? Whether you need a quick repair, routine maintenance, or a brand-new installation, Geiler Plumbing, Heating, and Air has you covered. Our experienced technicians provide reliable and energy-efficient solutions to keep your home cozy all year round.
Why Choose Geiler for Your Heat Pump Needs?
- Over 140 Years of Experience: Trusted by families in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana since 1885.
- Certified Professionals: Skilled in servicing all heat pump makes and models.
- Energy-Efficient Solutions: Save on energy bills with expert repairs and installations.
- 24/7 Emergency Service: We’re here when you need us most—day or night.
Our Heat Pump Services Include:
- Fast and reliable repairs to restore your system’s performance.
- Preventative maintenance to extend the life of your heat pump.
- Professional installation of high-efficiency heat pump systems.
Request Your Heat Pump Service Now
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Heat Pump Repair, Maintenance & Installation
A heat pump keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer with one system, until it starts icing up, blowing lukewarm air or running nonstop. Geiler Plumbing, Heating & Air has heated and cooled homes across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana since 1885. Our union-trained, EPA-certified technicians repair, maintain and install heat pumps of every make and model.
Call 513-574-0025
Since 1885 · Woman-owned · Union-trained technicians · 24/7 service
Winter heat pump problems (and which ones are normal)
Our winters swing from mild days to hard freezes, and heat pumps behave differently when it's cold. Some of what you notice is normal. Some of it means a call.
Frost or ice on the outdoor unit
Usually normal: a light coat of frost on the coil. Every so often, the heat pump runs a defrost cycle to melt it. You may hear a whoosh, see steam rising from the unit, and notice the fan stop for a few minutes. That's the system doing its job.
Not normal: a solid block of ice on the coil, ice covering the top of the unit, or frost that never clears. Causes include a failed defrost control or sensor, low refrigerant, a fan that isn't working, or water dripping onto the unit from a gutter. Turn the system to emergency heat and call us. Don't chip the ice off; you can damage the fins and coil. Learn more in why heat pump pipes freeze in the winter.
Running constantly in cold weather
When it's well below freezing, long run times can be normal. The colder it gets outside, the harder a heat pump works to move heat inside. If it runs nonstop on milder days, or the house still won't reach the thermostat setting, the cause may be a dirty filter, a refrigerant issue, or an undersized system.
Blowing lukewarm air
Heat pump air feels cooler than furnace air, even when the system is working, because it heats more gently over a longer run. Air that feels cold, or rooms that never warm up, point to a problem: a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant, or backup heat that isn't working.
"Aux heat" or "emergency heat" on the thermostat
These terms confuse many homeowners, so we explain them in the next section.
Gurgling, hissing, or other noises
Some sounds, such as the whoosh of a defrost cycle, are normal. Gurgling, rattling, grinding, or loud buzzing can point to refrigerant, drainage, or motor problems. See why your AC or heat pump is gurgling.
Won't switch between heating and cooling
If the system blows cool air when it's set to heat, or warm air when it's set to cool, the reversing valve or its controls may have failed. This requires a technician to repair.
Aux heat vs. emergency heat, explained simply
Most heat pumps have a backup heat source. In an all-electric system, it's usually electric heat strips in the indoor unit. In a dual-fuel system, it's a gas furnace.
- Aux (auxiliary) heat comes on automatically. It helps the heat pump on very cold days, during a defrost cycle, or when you raise the thermostat several degrees at once. Seeing it occasionally is normal.
- Emergency heat is something you switch on yourself. It shuts the heat pump off and runs only the backup heat. Use it when the outdoor unit is iced over, damaged, or not working, and then call for service.
Why it matters: electric backup heat usually costs more to run than the heat pump itself. If aux heat runs most of the time, or you've been on emergency heat for more than a day or two while you wait, call us so your energy bills don't climb.
Heat pump maintenance
Because a heat pump runs all year, it benefits from service twice a year: once before the heating season and once before the cooling season.
What a Geiler heat pump tune-up includes
- Clean and inspect the outdoor coil, and clear debris around the unit
- Check refrigerant levels and look for leaks
- Test the defrost controls and reversing valve
- Test the backup heat strips (or the furnace, in a dual-fuel system)
- Check electrical connections, capacitors, and motors
- Check the filter, airflow, and condensate drain
- Confirm the thermostat is set up correctly
Easy homeowner care: keep 2 feet of clear space around the outdoor unit, keep snow and leaves off it, and make sure gutters don't drip onto it.
The Preferred Customer Maintenance Agreement puts your service on a schedule, with preferred treatment and no overtime charges.
Heat pump or furnace? Dual-fuel options for our winters
There's no single right answer for every home here. It depends on your home, your fuel options and your priorities.
- Heat pump only (all-electric): one system for heating and cooling, with no gas needed. Newer cold-climate models handle low temperatures better than older ones, and electric backup covers the coldest days.
- Gas furnace with central AC: strong, fast heat in the coldest weather. Common in homes with natural gas service.
- Dual fuel (heat pump plus gas furnace): the heat pump handles heating on milder days, and the furnace takes over when it gets very cold. Many homeowners choose it for flexibility.
We'll talk through your home, utility rates, and comfort goals before recommending a system. We won't make savings promises we can't back up. Related reading: heat pump vs. air conditioner · furnace repair and installation· heat pumps vs. solar panels .
Heat pump installation and replacement
The right size matters. A system that's too small runs constantly and leans on backup heat, while one that's too large cycles on and off and handles humidity poorly. We size each system for your home's heating and cooling load, and we check the ductwork before recommending equipment.
- Ducted heat pumps for homes with existing ductwork
- Ductless mini-splits for additions, finished basements, garages, or homes without ducts
- Brands: we install equipment including Tempstar, Amana, and Bosch.
Ways to pay: flexible financing or The Advantage Program, with one monthly service fee, no down payment, and no equipment to own.
Local heat pump service
Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio: we repair and service heat pumps across Hamilton, Warren, and Clermont Counties, with 24-hour service available. Need a technician in Cincinnati now?
Go to heat pump repair in Cincinnati.
Northern Kentucky: From Florence and Union to Covington, Erlanger, and Ft. Thomas, our technicians dispatch from homes across the region to reach you sooner.
See heat pump repair in Northern Kentucky.
Southeastern Indiana: we also serve Aurora, Lawrenceburg, Greendale, Hidden Valley Lake, and Brookville.
Service Area
Heat Pump FAQ
Is ice on my heat pump normal?
A thin layer of frost is normal in winter, and the defrost cycle usually melts it. A thick block of ice, or ice that doesn't clear within a few hours, isn't. Switch to emergency heat and call a technician.
What is emergency heat?
It's a thermostat setting that turns off the heat pump and runs only the backup heat. Use it when the outdoor unit isn't working, then schedule a repair. It usually costs more to run than normal heat pump operation.
How long do heat pumps last?
Lifespan depends on maintenance, system workload, and installation quality.
Do you service all heat pump brands?
Yes. Our technicians repair and maintain heat pumps of all makes and models, including ductless mini-splits.
Cincinnati
- Amberly Village
- Anderson
- Batavia
- Blue Ash
- Bridgetown
- Cheviot
- Cleves
- Colerain
- Delhi
- Finneytown
- Forest Park
- Green Hills
- Harrison
- Hyde Park
- Kenwood
- Loveland
- Madeira
- Mariemont
- Mason
- Milford
- Mt. Airy
- Mt. Healthy
- Mount Washington
- North Bend
- Norwood
- Oakley
- OTR- Over The Rhine
- Saylor Park
- Sharonville
- Terrace Park
- White Oak
- West Chester
- Wyoming
- Hamilton
- Fairfield
- Liberty Township
Northern Kentucky
Southeast Indiana
Auxiliary and Emergency Heat
Auxiliary heat and emergency heat for Cincinnati-area heat pumps
If your thermostat shows AUX or Em Heat, the system is using backup heat. That backup is usually electric heat strips in the air handler, or a gas furnace on a dual-fuel system. Geiler services both setups across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana.
Auxiliary heat turns on by itself. The heat pump keeps running, and the backup adds heat when the outdoor unit cannot hold the setpoint alone. That is common on cold nights, after a big setback, or during a defrost cycle. A short AUX display in winter is normal. AUX that stays on all day, or that runs in mild weather, is not.
Emergency heat is a manual setting. It shuts the heat pump off and heats only with the backup source. Use it if the outdoor unit has failed and you need heat until a technician arrives. Do not leave it on for everyday heating. On an all-electric system, emergency heat is the most expensive way to heat the house.
| Setting | Who turns it on | Heat pump | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary (AUX) | Thermostat, automatically | Stays on and shares the load | Cold weather, recovery from a setback, defrost |
| Emergency (Em Heat) | You, manually | Locked out | Heat pump failure only |
Call Geiler if AUX runs constantly, the house never reaches the setpoint, or you had to switch to emergency heat to stay warm.
Defrost and dual-fuel
Heat pump defrost: steam, a pause, then heat again
In cold, damp weather, moisture can frost the outdoor coil. Frost blocks airflow, so the heat pump starts a defrost cycle. It briefly reverses, sends warm refrigerant to the outdoor coil, and usually stops the outdoor fan. You may see steam, hear a different sound, or feel cooler air for a few minutes. Auxiliary heat often comes on indoors so the vents do not blow cold air the whole time.
A normal defrost lasts a few minutes, typically under 15, then the system returns to heating. Call for service if the outdoor unit ices over and stays iced, defrosts over and over, or the house gets cold every time it defrosts. Those are repair issues, not a normal winter cycle.
Dual-fuel heat pumps: heat pump plus gas furnace
A dual-fuel system pairs an electric heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump handles mild and moderate weather. When outdoor temperature drops to the balance point set for your home, the heat pump shuts off and the furnace carries the full load. When it warms up, the heat pump takes over again.
That switch is different from electric auxiliary heat. Electric strips can run with the heat pump. A gas furnace on a dual-fuel system does not. The changeover temperature should match the equipment, the house, and local utility rates. A setting that is too high runs the furnace more than it needs to. A setting that is too low leaves the heat pump struggling on the coldest Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky nights.
Geiler installs, services, and repairs dual-fuel systems, including thermostat lockouts, furnace changeover, and heat pump controls.
When to call
Schedule heat pump service if you notice any of these:
- AUX or emergency heat is on and the house is still cold.
- Emergency heat was the only way to get heat overnight.
- The outdoor unit is a solid block of ice, or it steams and never returns to heating.
- The furnace and heat pump seem to fight each other, short-cycle, or never switch.
- Heating bills jumped after a cold snap and AUX has been on for days.
Request heat pump service. Tell us whether the thermostat shows AUX or Em Heat, what the outdoor unit is doing, and whether you have electric backup or a gas furnace. We repair, service, and install heat pumps throughout Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana, including 24/7 emergency calls.
What is auxiliary heat on a heat pump?
Auxiliary heat is backup heat that turns on automatically when the heat pump cannot keep up, or while the outdoor coil defrosts. The heat pump usually keeps running.
Should I turn on emergency heat?
Only if the heat pump has failed. Emergency heat bypasses the outdoor unit and runs backup heat alone. Switch back to Heat after the repair.
Why is my heat pump blowing steam in winter?
Steam usually means a defrost cycle. The system is melting frost on the outdoor coil. It should finish in a few minutes and go back to heating.
What is a dual-fuel heat pump?
It is a heat pump paired with a gas furnace. The heat pump runs in milder weather. The furnace takes over below a set outdoor temperature, called the balance point.