Same-Day Heat Pump Repair Across Burnaby
Heat pump failures present differently from furnace or boiler problems because the system manages both a refrigerant cycle and a defrost cycle across two operating modes. A heat pump that blows lukewarm air in heating mode, ices over on the outdoor unit, or cycles every few minutes needs a technician who can test refrigerant pressures, verify defrost controls, check the reversing valve, and evaluate electrical components as an integrated system. Eaton's Heating provides same-day heat pump repair across all Burnaby neighborhoods from our Coquitlam base, minutes from the Burnaby border. We service all major brands including Trane, Lennox, Carrier, Goodman, Bryant, Bosch, Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Fujitsu. Every call starts with a flat-rate $189 diagnostic, and all additional work is quoted before we proceed.
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Burnaby's heat pump installed base spans a wider range of system ages and types than most cities in our service area. Established homes in Capitol Hill and Sperling-Duthie that added heat pumps during the early 2010s are now seeing the first wave of component failures: capacitors weakening, contactors pitting, and refrigerant developing slow leaks at brazed joints that have expanded and contracted through a decade of heating and cooling cycles. Newer installations in Edmonds townhomes and Buckingham Heights renovations tend to use higher-efficiency variable-speed systems with more sophisticated control boards, where the failure modes are electronic rather than mechanical. The condo towers in Metrotown and Brentwood add another layer, with centralized and individual heat pump systems that each present their own diagnostic profile. We work across the full range of residential heat pump technology because Burnaby's housing stock demands it.
Burnaby's coastal climate and varied elevation create specific performance challenges for heat pumps. In the lower-elevation neighborhoods around Deer Lake, Edmonds, and Metrotown, mild winter temperatures between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius mean the heat pump operates in its most efficient range for most of the heating season, but the persistent dampness triggers frequent defrost cycles on the outdoor coil. When defrost controls or sensors fail, the coil ices over completely and heating output drops to near zero. At higher elevations around Burnaby Mountain and the SFU corridor, winter temperatures drop lower and the system works harder, running closer to its capacity limits and stressing the compressor, reversing valve, and defrost system more aggressively. During Burnaby's increasingly warm summers, the system switches to cooling mode and faces an entirely different set of stresses: capacitor and contactor wear from extended run times, refrigerant pressure shifts, and condenser fan motor strain.
Eaton's Heating has been diagnosing and repairing heat pump systems across Burnaby for over two decades from our Coquitlam shop on the Burnaby border. We are a FortisBC Trade Ally, BBB A+ rated, and Technical Safety BC licensed under LGA0200006. Our 400+ five-star Google reviews and 4.9 average rating reflect accurate refrigerant system diagnostics that identify the root cause rather than cycling through part replacements. As an authorized Trane dealer, we carry Trane-specific expertise, but our technicians service every residential heat pump brand from Lennox and Carrier to Goodman, Bryant, Bosch, Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Fujitsu.
Burnaby homeowners with older heat pumps should be aware that systems installed before 2010 may still use R-22 refrigerant, which has been phased out of production in Canada. If your system develops a refrigerant leak and uses R-22, the cost of sourcing replacement refrigerant has increased dramatically and will continue to rise. In many cases, replacing the system with a modern unit using R-410A or newer refrigerant is more cost-effective than continuing to top up an obsolete charge. We test refrigerant type and pressure during every diagnostic and explain your options clearly. When a heat pump is beyond cost-effective repair, we present the numbers alongside modern replacement options so you can compare. We also service furnaces, boilers, and all other HVAC systems across Burnaby.
Heat pump adoption across Burnaby has accelerated over the past decade, driven by CleanBC incentives and summers that increasingly demand air conditioning. Newer builds in Sullivan Heights and around Lougheed Town Centre often include heat pumps as the primary HVAC system. Older homes in Willingdon Heights and Parkcrest that added heat pumps during renovations may have systems that were undersized for the home's actual heating and cooling load, and the performance gap shows up as the system ages. Our diagnostic process includes verifying system sizing and configuration before recommending component repairs, because replacing a part on an undersized system does not fix the underlying problem.
Whether your heat pump is a central ducted system paired with a gas furnace or a standalone unit, Eaton's Heating has the refrigerant system expertise to diagnose and repair it. For homeowners considering upgrading to a newer system, visit our rebates page for information on CleanBC and FortisBC incentive programs.
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Have a question about your HVAC system? Book an appointment using the form below, or call (604) 535-8434 for immediate help.
Our Coquitlam base is on the Burnaby border, putting most neighborhoods within 10 to 15 minutes via Lougheed Highway, Kingsway, or Canada Way. We prioritize no-heat and no-cooling emergencies and carry common heat pump components on every truck. Most repairs are completed in a single visit without a return trip. Call (604) 535-8434.
The system may be low on refrigerant from a slow leak, reducing its ability to transfer heat effectively. The reversing valve may be partially stuck, limiting output. The outdoor coil may be dirty or obstructed, reducing heat exchange. Or the system may simply be undersized for the home's heating load, meaning it was never capable of reaching the setpoint on the coldest days. Our $189 diagnostic tests for each of these causes and identifies whether the issue is a repairable component failure or a fundamental sizing problem.
Emergency heat (also called auxiliary heat) activates when the heat pump cannot keep up with demand or has detected a fault that prevents it from operating in heat pump mode. The system falls back to the electric resistance backup strips or the gas furnace in a dual-fuel setup, which costs significantly more to run. If your system switches to emergency heat occasionally during extreme cold snaps, that is normal behavior. If it stays on emergency heat continuously or switches over during mild weather, there is a fault in the heat pump itself that needs professional diagnosis.
The $189 diagnostic fee is flat-rate and covers the complete assessment regardless of complexity. Repair costs beyond the diagnostic depend on the failed component. Capacitors, contactors, and defrost sensors typically fall in the $200 to $600 range for parts and labour. Refrigerant recharging, reversing valve replacements, and compressor work are more involved and cost more depending on the system and refrigerant type. We quote every repair before starting and do not proceed without your approval. All parts carry a six-month warranty.
R-22 has been phased out of production in Canada, and the remaining supply is limited and increasingly expensive. If your heat pump develops a refrigerant leak and uses R-22, you have two paths: recharge with the remaining available R-22 supply at a higher cost per pound, or replace the system with a modern unit using R-410A or newer refrigerant. For systems over 12 years old with a significant leak, replacement is usually the better financial decision because the recharge cost is high and the leak will likely recur. We test refrigerant type during every diagnostic and walk you through both options with clear pricing.
A well-maintained heat pump in the Lower Mainland typically lasts 12 to 18 years. The damp coastal climate means outdoor components face persistent moisture exposure that accelerates corrosion on coils, fan motors, and electrical connections. Systems that run year-round for both heating and cooling accumulate wear faster than heating-only equipment. If your heat pump is approaching 12 years old, a pre-season diagnostic can identify emerging issues before they become emergency failures during the coldest or hottest weeks of the year.
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