Heat Pump Repair & Installation in Baton Rouge, LA

Heat pumps in a south Louisiana climate

A heat pump moves heat instead of making it. In summer it pumps heat out of the house like an air conditioner; in winter a reversing valve flips the cycle, and it pulls heat from outdoor air and delivers it inside. With January lows around 40°F and highs in the low 60s under NWS normals (National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge, 1991–2020 Climate Normals), Baton Rouge winters are well suited to heat pumps: they can carry the load on most days, with backup heat for the coldest nights.

Three ways to set it up

• Heat pump with electric heat strips: the most common setup. The strips kick in during defrost and on the coldest nights.
• Dual fuel: a heat pump paired with a gas furnace. The heat pump heats on mild days, and the furnace takes over below a set outdoor temperature. In homes that already have gas, this can be the most economical arrangement.
• Ductless mini-split: for additions, converted garages, sunrooms, camps and older homes without ducts. Each indoor head serves one zone.

Ratings and refrigerants

Split-system heat pumps installed since January 1, 2023 must be at least 14.3 SEER2 for cooling and 7.5 HSPF2 for heating (U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Standards FAQ). New systems manufactured since 2025 use refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32 (EPA, Technology Transitions HFC Restrictions by Sector).

Common heat pump problems

Not heating

A heat pump that cools fine but will not heat may have a failed reversing valve or solenoid, a thermostat that is not set up for a heat pump, or a defrost control problem.

Iced over

Light frost on the outdoor coil in cold, damp weather is normal, and the defrost cycle clears it, sometimes with a cloud of steam. A unit that stays coated in ice has a defrost, sensor, airflow or refrigerant problem.

High winter electric bills

If "aux heat" shows on the thermostat for hours on mild days, the heat strips are doing work the heat pump should be doing. That can mean low refrigerant, a failing compressor, or thermostat settings that call for backup heat too readily.

Summer problems

In cooling mode, heat pumps have all the same issues as air conditioners: capacitors, contactors, condensate clogs and coil leaks. Because they run year-round, parts wear a bit faster. See AC repair.

Questions to ask

• Is a heat pump with heat strips, or a dual-fuel system, the better fit for this house?
• What are the SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings for the combination?
• How will the thermostat manage backup heat?
• Can the existing ducts handle the airflow?

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Standards FAQ; National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge, 1991–2020 Climate Normals; EPA, Technology Transitions HFC Restrictions by Sector.