Service · repair · tune-ups
Heat Pump Repair & Maintenance
A heat pump works hard through a Nova Scotia winter. Regular maintenance protects its efficiency and lifespan, and when something does go wrong our technicians diagnose it quickly and fix it properly — whichever company installed it.
- All brands
- Repaired and maintained, whoever installed them
- Once a year
- Recommended professional tune-up
- Gauges
- Refrigerant charge measured, never guessed
Sound familiar?
Why people call us for service
Lukewarm air or a block of ice
Light frost that clears in the defrost cycle is normal. Air that will not get warm, or ice that never leaves the outdoor unit, is a call to make today.
Running constantly, bills climbing
A dirty coil, a clogged filter or a low charge makes the system work harder for less heat. A tune-up usually pays for itself on the next power bill.
The installer stopped answering
We service heat pumps we did not install. Bring us the model number and the symptoms and we take it from there.
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What we check
Every part of your heat pump, inspected
An outdoor unit, taken apart. These are the components a tune-up covers and the failures we catch before they become winter emergencies.
Service options
Fix it, tune it, or keep it that way
Honest diagnostics first. We tell you what is wrong, what it costs and whether repair or replacement is the smarter spend.
- 01
Diagnostic and repair visit
A technician tests the system, finds the fault and quotes the repair before any work begins. Common parts are on the van.
Best for: No heat, no cooling, error codes, unusual noise or icing
- 02
Annual tune-up
Coils, filters, refrigerant pressures, defrost, drains, electrical connections and a full performance test, with a written report.
Best for: Every heat pump, ideally before the heating season
- 03
Preventive maintenance plan
A scheduled yearly visit with priority booking when something does go wrong, so a small issue never becomes a winter emergency.
Best for: Primary-heat homes, rental properties, peace of mind
- 04
Electrical faults
Tripped breakers, failed disconnects, surge damage and wiring issues are handled by our own Red Seal electricians on the same visit.
Best for: Anything that trips, sparks or shows a red light
Step by step
What a tune-up covers
About an hour per system. Every step, every time.
- 1
Inspect and test
We run the system in heating and cooling, listen to the fan and compressor, and record temperatures and pressures.
- 2
Clean coils and filters
Outdoor coil cleared of leaves, salt and lint; indoor filters and coil cleaned so air flows freely and quietly.
- 3
Verify charge and electrical
Refrigerant charge is checked against the manufacturer's specification, connections tightened, the surge protector and disconnect tested.
- 4
Report and recommend
You get a plain-language summary of what we found, anything to watch, and what, if anything, is worth doing next.
From our technicians
Straight talk about heat pump care
What the lights mean, what ice means, and what you can do yourself.
- 01
Clean the filters yourself
Indoor filters slide out and rinse clean. Every month or two in heavy use keeps airflow up and the coil clean. Everything else, leave to the annual visit.
- 02
What the surge protector light means
Green means it is protecting your system. If the green light goes out or a red light appears, the protector has done its job absorbing a spike and needs to be replaced.
- 03
Why the disconnect box matters
The box beside your outdoor unit connects it to the panel and lets a technician cut power safely for service. Only a certified electrician should install one.
- 04
Ice on the outdoor unit
Frost that melts during defrost is normal. Thick ice that stays, especially on the fan, is not. Turn the system off and call.
- 05
Maintenance keeps efficiency
Preventive maintenance keeps a heat pump running smoothly and efficiently all year. A clean, correctly charged system uses noticeably less electricity.
- 06
Repair or replace?
We give you both numbers honestly. A ten-year-old unit with a failed compressor may be better replaced; a five-year-old unit almost never is.
Is it right for you?
Keep it running like the day it was installed.
- Annual tune-ups before the heating season
- Systems that are icing up, short-cycling or blowing lukewarm air
- Higher power bills without a change in habits
- Heat pumps installed by another contractor that need care
- 01
Preventive maintenance
Coil cleaning, filter service, refrigerant pressure checks, drain and defrost checks, electrical connections and a performance test — so small issues never become winter emergencies.
- 02
Honest diagnostics
We tell you what is wrong, what it costs and whether a repair or a replacement is the smarter spend. No pressure, no upselling.
- 03
Efficiency you can measure
A clean, correctly charged heat pump uses noticeably less electricity. Maintenance usually pays for itself on the power bill.
- 04
Electrical faults included
Tripped breakers, failed disconnects and surge damage are handled by the same team, so you are never bounced between an HVAC company and an electrician.
What's included
Everything, itemized.
No vague line items. This is what a typical project with us covers.
- Full-system inspection and performance test
- Indoor and outdoor coil cleaning
- Filter cleaning or replacement
- Refrigerant charge and pressure verification
- Condensate drain and defrost cycle checks
- Electrical connection tightening and surge protector check
Recent work
From our job sites.
Real installations across Nova Scotia, photographed by our own crew.
Digital vacuum gauge and manifold connected during heat pump commissioning 
Technician pressure-testing a heat pump installation with gauges 
Serviced multi-zone outdoor unit on a stand
What our clients say
Comfort you can feel. Service you remember.
The service from Smart Heat Pumps was impeccable! Their technicians were knowledgeable and efficient, transforming our home's comfort level in no time.
I highly recommend Smart Heat Pumps. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and quality solutions is evident in their work and the results.
Common questions
About repair & maintenance
If yours isn't here, call — a technician will answer it.
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
Once a year by a technician, ideally in late summer or fall before the heating season, plus a quick filter clean by you every month or two during heavy use.
My outdoor unit is covered in ice — is that normal?
Light frost that clears during the defrost cycle is normal. Thick ice that stays, or ice building on the fan, is not — turn the system off and call us.
Do you service heat pumps you didn't install?
Yes. We repair and maintain all major residential and light-commercial brands.
What does the surge protector light mean?
A green light means it is protecting your system. If the green light goes out or a red light appears, the protector has done its job and needs replacing.
More from Smart
Other ways we can help
- Ductless Mini-Split Heat PumpsSingle- and multi-zone systems for homes without ductwork.
- Ducted & Central Heat PumpsWhole-home air handlers that use your existing ducts — including oil-furnace conversions and add-on heat pumps that pair with your furnace.
- Electrical ServicesRed Seal electricians for panel and service upgrades (100 → 200/400 A), generator systems, lighting, hot tubs, HVAC wiring and new construction.
- HRV / ERV Installation & MaintenanceHeat and energy recovery ventilators that swap stale indoor air for fresh air — without throwing away the heat you paid for.
- Commercial HVACDesign, installation and service of heat pump systems for shops, offices, restaurants and multi-unit buildings across Nova Scotia.
Start your comfort journey
Get a free, no-pressure quote for your home or business.
Tell us a little about your place and we'll arrange a visit, size the right system and show you exactly what it costs after rebates.
- Call or text902-220-4182
- Emailinfo@smarteheatpumps.com
- Service areaAll of Nova Scotia