Heat Not Working? Troubleshooting Your Florida Heat Pump and Heat Strips

When temperatures drop in Southwest Florida, even our mild winters can feel uncomfortable without a working heating system. If you've turned on your heat and noticed cold air blowing, no air at all, or your home just won't warm up, you're dealing with a heating problem that needs attention.

At Big Air Heat and AC, we understand that heating issues in Fort Myers and Lee County require quick solutions. Unlike northern states with traditional furnaces, most Florida homes rely on heat pumps or heat strips (also called auxiliary heat or emergency heat). In this guide, we'll help you understand why your heat isn't working and what to do about it.

How Florida Heating Systems Work

Before we dive into troubleshooting, it's helpful to understand how your system works:

Heat Pumps are the most common heating solution in Florida. Your heat pump is actually the same unit that cools your home in summer—it simply reverses the process to provide heat in winter. Instead of pulling heat out of your home, it extracts heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside.

Heat Strips (electric resistance heating) serve as backup or supplemental heat. These heating elements inside your air handler kick in when:

• Temperatures drop below what your heat pump can efficiently handle (usually below 35-40°F)

• Your heat pump can't keep up with demand

• You switch to "emergency heat" mode

• Your heat pump has malfunctioned

Many Florida systems use both—the heat pump as primary heat and heat strips as backup.

Common Reasons Your Heat Isn't Working

1. Thermostat Set Incorrectly

This is the simplest issue to fix. Before you panic, check your thermostat settings:

• Make sure it's set to "HEAT" mode, not "COOL" or "OFF"

• Verify the fan is set to "AUTO" (not "ON" which just circulates unheated air)

• Set the temperature at least 3-5 degrees higher than the current room temperature

• Check if the thermostat display is working—dead batteries can cause issues

• Make sure no one accidentally switched it to "emergency heat" mode

2. Dirty Air Filter

A clogged air filter is one of the most common causes of heating problems in Florida homes. When your filter is dirty, it restricts airflow, which can cause:

• Reduced heat output

• Your system to overheat and shut down

• The heat pump to work inefficiently

• Higher energy bills

Solution: Replace your air filter every 30-60 days, especially during heavy use periods.

3. Heat Pump Issues

Since heat pumps provide most of the heating in Florida, problems with your outdoor unit can leave you cold:

Frozen Heat Pump: Yes, your heat pump can freeze even in Florida! During heating mode, the outdoor coil gets very cold, and ice can build up—especially on humid mornings or when temperatures are in the 30s and 40s. Your heat pump has a defrost cycle to handle this, but if that system fails, ice can block airflow.

Refrigerant Leak: Your heat pump needs the proper refrigerant charge to transfer heat effectively. If you have a leak, your system won't heat properly.

Reversing Valve Failure: This valve switches your system between cooling and heating modes. If it fails, your system might blow cool air when you want heat, or not work at all.

Outdoor Unit Not Running: If your outdoor unit isn't running at all, you might hear air blowing inside but it won't be warm (unless your heat strips are compensating).

4. Heat Strip Problems

If your heat pump is struggling or broken, you might be relying entirely on your heat strips without realizing it. Issues include:

Tripped Breaker: Heat strips draw significant power. If your electrical panel's breaker trips, your heat strips won't work. Check your breaker box for any tripped switches.

Burned Out Elements: Heat strips can burn out over time, especially if they're running constantly because your heat pump isn't working.

Sequencer Failure: This component controls when heat strips turn on in stages. If it fails, you might get no heat or only partial heating.

5. Blocked or Restricted Airflow

Beyond just a dirty filter, other airflow problems can impact heating:

• Closed or blocked vents in your home

• Furniture or curtains blocking return air vents

• Debris around your outdoor unit

• Ductwork leaks or disconnections

6. Low Outdoor Temperatures

Heat pumps become less efficient as outdoor temperatures drop. While this isn't usually a problem in Fort Myers, when we have those rare cold snaps (below 40°F), your heat pump may struggle to keep up. This is when your heat strips should automatically kick in, but if they're not working, your home won't stay warm.

Troubleshooting Steps You Can Take

1. Verify your thermostat is set to HEAT and raised above room temperature

2. Make sure your outdoor unit is running (you should hear it)

3. Check for airflow from your vents

4. Replace your air filter if it's dirty

5. Check your electrical panel for tripped breakers

When to Call Big Air Heat and AC

While some basic troubleshooting is fine, heating repairs in Florida require professional expertise. Call us immediately if:

• Your heat hasn't worked for several hours

• You see ice buildup on your outdoor unit

• You smell burning when your heat runs

• Your breaker keeps tripping

• You've tried basic troubleshooting without success

• Your system is running constantly but not heating

• You notice a significant increase in your electric bill

Why Professional Heating Repair Matters

Florida heating systems have unique challenges:

Humidity Effects: Our humid climate can cause issues that wouldn't exist in drier regions, like excessive ice formation during heating cycles.

Salt Air Corrosion: In coastal Lee County areas, salt air can corrode components faster, especially on outdoor heat pump units.

Year-Round Use: Your HVAC system works nearly year-round in Florida, which means more wear and tear than systems in other climates.

Refrigerant Expertise: Only EPA-certified technicians can handle refrigerant, and improper refrigerant charge is a common cause of heating problems.

At Big Air Heat and AC, our technicians are trained specifically on Florida heating systems and understand the unique challenges of Southwest Florida homes.

Preventing Future Heating Problems

Don't wait until the coldest night of the year to discover your heat doesn't work! Here's how to prevent problems:

Schedule Fall Maintenance

Even though Florida winters are mild, it's smart to have your system checked before heating season. Our maintenance visit includes:

• Testing both heat pump and heat strip operation

• Checking refrigerant levels

• Cleaning outdoor coils

• Inspecting electrical connections

• Testing the defrost cycle

• Verifying thermostat accuracy

Change Filters Regularly

We can't stress this enough—a clean filter prevents most HVAC problems.

Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clear

Trim vegetation at least 2 feet away from your heat pump and keep the area free of debris, leaves, and dirt.

Test Your Heat Early

Don't wait for the first cold night. In October or November, run your heat for an hour to make sure everything works properly.

Big Air Heat and AC: Your Fort Myers Heating Experts

When your heat stops working in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, or anywhere in Lee County, Big Air Heat and AC is here to help.

We offer $99 diagnostic service to pinpoint exactly why your heating isn't working and provide honest, upfront pricing for repairs.

Our Heating Services Include:

• Heat pump repair and replacement

• Heat strip repair and replacement

• Thermostat troubleshooting and upgrades

• Emergency heating repairs

• Preventive maintenance plans

• Complete HVAC system installation

Why Choose Big Air Heat and AC?

• Fast, reliable service throughout Lee County

• Experienced technicians who understand Florida heating systems

• Upfront pricing with no hidden fees

• Quality repairs that last

• Available when you need us most

Don't spend another cold night without heat. Call Big Air Heat and AC at (239) 738-1344 to schedule your heating diagnostic today. We'll get your system running efficiently and keep your Fort Myers home comfortable all winter long.

Big Air Heat and AC - Serving Fort Myers and all of Lee County with expert heating and cooling solutions. Whether you need heat pump repair, heat strip replacement, or a complete system installation, we're your trusted local HVAC experts.

Just remember, when you think AC, think Big Air!