Heat Pump Repair in Berkeley & the East Bay
$79 diagnostic fee. All brands serviced. EPA 608 certified, factory-trained technicians. Written repair quote before any work begins. CSLB #1146520.
★★★★★
“I had a duct fan fail in a very heat sensitive wine cellar and Aarvaks came same day to diagnose issue. They ordered the part and picked it up the next day and everything was fixed within 48 hours. Personal service. Professional service. They know their stuff. They are prompt and reliable. Trustworthy.”
Repair Process
What Happens During a Heat Pump Diagnostic
The $79 diagnostic covers a full system inspection. Heat pumps run in two modes — heating and cooling — so the diagnostic evaluates components unique to that dual function, not just the refrigerant system.
- Visual inspection of indoor and outdoor units — coil condition, refrigerant line insulation, electrical connections, and all accessible components
- Refrigerant pressure check — verify charge against manufacturer spec in the current operating mode and test all connection points for leaks
- Reversing valve test — confirm the valve switches the system correctly between heating and cooling modes; a stuck reversing valve is a common cause of a heat pump that cools but won’t heat (or vice versa)
- Defrost system check — verify the defrost control board, defrost thermostat, and defrost cycle timing; defrost failure causes ice accumulation on the outdoor unit in winter
- Electrical component testing — measure run and start capacitor microfarad rating, contactor condition, control board operation, and fuse continuity
- Compressor testing — measure amp draw against rated load, verify startup capacitor condition, and check temperature differential across the coil
- Airflow measurement — check blower motor amp draw, static pressure, and evaporator coil for ice or restriction at the air handler
- Thermostat and controls verification — confirm setpoints, mode switching, and communication between the thermostat and air handler
- Written repair recommendation with itemized pricing — no work begins without your approval
What We Fix
Common Heat Pump Repairs
Aarvaks technicians service all heat pump brands — Carrier, Bosch, Mitsubishi, Lennox, Trane, Goodman, Rheem, Daikin, and more. If it heats and cools your space, we service it.
Reversing Valve & Refrigerant
Reversing valve replacement, refrigerant leak detection and recharge, TXV and metering device. A stuck reversing valve leaves the system locked in one mode — the system runs but only heats or only cools. Adding refrigerant without locating the leak is not a repair.
Electrical & Control Components
Run capacitor, start capacitor, contactor, defrost control board, control board, relay, disconnect, and thermostat replacement. Defrost board failure is a heat-pump-specific fault — it causes ice buildup on the outdoor coil and degraded heating performance through winter.
Compressor & Airflow
Compressor diagnosis and replacement, outdoor fan motor, indoor blower motor, evaporator coil cleaning and repair, condenser coil cleaning, and refrigerant line insulation. Compressor faults on heat pumps often present as the system running constantly without reaching setpoint in either mode.
Transparent Pricing
Heat Pump Repair Cost
The diagnostic fee covers the full inspection and written repair recommendation. Repair costs vary by component and labor required. We provide itemized pricing before any work begins — no surprises on the invoice.
$79
Residential diagnostic fee
Waived if we do the repair
$189
Commercial diagnostic fee
All commercial heat pump brands
All Brands
Carrier, Mitsubishi, Bosch, Lennox
Trane, Daikin, Rheem & more
Written itemized quote provided before any repair work begins. Diagnostic fee waived if we do the repair. Financing available on qualifying repairs.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does heat pump repair cost in Berkeley?
The $79 residential diagnostic covers the full system inspection and a written repair recommendation with itemized pricing. The total repair cost depends on the component — a capacitor or defrost board replacement costs significantly less than a reversing valve or compressor. You see the exact cost before approving any work. Call 510-848-5010 or book online to schedule a diagnostic.
My heat pump heats in summer and cools in winter — what’s wrong?
This is a classic reversing valve fault. The reversing valve is the component that switches the system between heating and cooling mode. When it sticks in the wrong position, the system operates in the opposite mode from what’s selected. A diagnostic will confirm whether the valve itself has failed or whether the issue is in the solenoid or control board that commands it.
My heat pump has ice on the outdoor unit in winter — is that normal?
Light frost on the outdoor coil during cold weather is normal — heat pumps run a defrost cycle every 30–90 minutes to clear it. A thick layer of ice that doesn’t clear, or ice accumulating during mild weather, is not normal and indicates a defrost system failure, low refrigerant charge, or an airflow restriction. Shut the system off and call — running it with heavy ice accumulation can damage the compressor.
My heat pump runs constantly but can’t reach the set temperature — what causes that?
Continuous running without reaching setpoint usually points to low refrigerant charge, a failing compressor, restricted airflow, or — in heating mode specifically — a defrost system that isn’t clearing the outdoor coil. In Berkeley’s mild climate, a properly sized and charged heat pump should reach setpoint without running continuously. A diagnostic will identify the root cause.
Can any HVAC technician repair my heat pump, or does it need to be the brand’s installer?
Any licensed HVAC contractor can repair your heat pump regardless of who installed it. You are never locked into the original installer. Aarvaks services all residential and commercial heat pump brands — Carrier, Bosch, Mitsubishi, Lennox, Trane, Goodman, Rheem, Daikin, and more. CSLB #1146520.
How do I know if my heat pump needs repair or replacement?
If the repair cost approaches or exceeds half the cost of a comparable new system, replacement is usually the better investment — particularly on a system over 15 years old. A failed compressor on an aging unit is often the decision point. We give you both figures — repair cost and replacement cost — so you can decide without pressure. Heat pump installation starts at $17,000.
Heat Pump Not Working?
$79 diagnostic. Written repair quote before any work begins. All brands serviced. Serving Berkeley and the East Bay since 1929.