I have an all electric Rheem heatpump (don't know the model # but can fetch if necessary) that is not putting out any heat. The ouside unit will come on for about a minute and then will shut off. The inside air handler will continue to run though. I've set the temperature to 72 to test it (current temp is 70). I only raised the temperature a couple degrees since I didn't want the Aux to come on and give me a false reading. So, with the inside unit running normally the air is not warm and the outside unit just starts and stops. Any ideas what it could be?

What do you have to do to get the outdoor unit back on, or does it come on by itself after a while? If so, it's probably low on refrigerant, or going off on high pressure. Some compressors have thermal protection, shutting them off until they cool down to operating temperature.

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Originally Posted by Missouri Bound

What do you have to do to get the outdoor unit back on, or does it come on by itself after a while? If so, it's probably low on refrigerant, or going off on high pressure. Some compressors have thermal protection, shutting them off until they cool down to operating temperature.

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It will sometimes come on by itself. When it does come on it only stays on for 2 minutes. Or, if it has been off for a couple minutes I can get it to come back on by setting the thermostat a degree or 2 higher. A year and a half ago I had the outside coil replaced and shortly after that they hooked up a bypass valve of some kind for the high pressure switch. They told me it would be harmless and that I would no longer have to go outside to push the button (I was having to do it quite frequently at the time. According to the tech it was faulty and the part he used to replace it was much cheaper than the Ruud part and also would eliminate the need for me to go outside).

The part he installed was most likely a self-resetting high pressure switch. I may add that this probably wouldn't be needed if everything was working properly. Usually a high pressure situation exists when there isn't enough air over the condenser, wrong fan or failing motor, or in your case perhaps improperly sized coil. It's also possible that the system is overcharged. Consider having another company look at it, it may be a simple fix. Be prepared to tell them what has been done and why. If the high pressure is acceptable, perhaps an adjustable cut out switch would help.

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Originally Posted by Missouri Bound

The part he installed was most likely a self-resetting high pressure switch. I may add that this probably wouldn't be needed if everything was working properly. Usually a high pressure situation exists when there isn't enough air over the condenser, wrong fan or failing motor, or in your case perhaps improperly sized coil. It's also possible that the system is overcharged. Consider having another company look at it, it may be a simple fix. Be prepared to tell them what has been done and why. If the high pressure is acceptable, perhaps an adjustable cut out switch would help.

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Ok. Thany you for your quick response. I had a feeling it was going to need another tech visit.