Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling — when they fail, both functions go offline. A local heat pump repair contractor serving Farmington Hills and Oakland County handles issues specific to cold-weather operation in Southeast Michigan.

Farmington Hills mixes 1970s single-family subdivisions with a large number of condos and apartments: median year built 1978, about 54% predating 1980, and roughly 56% single-family detached (ACS 2024). About 86% of homes heat with gas. In condos and townhomes, furnaces are often in small mechanical closets or attached garages, and replacement may be limited by space, venting routes and association rules about exterior vent locations. Single-family homes typically have basement furnaces, and many are on equipment that is 15 to 25 years old, which is when repair-versus-replace decisions usually come up.

Heat Pump Problems We Fix

Common heat pump failures: reversing valve problems that prevent switching between heating and cooling, refrigerant leaks, defrost board failures that cause ice buildup on the outdoor unit in cold weather, compressor issues, and auxiliary heat problems. Heat pumps in Southeast Michigan work harder in cold weather — defrost cycles and auxiliary heat are important in our climate.

Heat Pump vs. Furnace in Oakland County

Southeast Michigan's cold winters push heat pumps to their efficiency limits at low outdoor temperatures. Below around 35-40 degrees, heat pump efficiency drops significantly and auxiliary or emergency heat carries the load. If your heat pump is running but not keeping up in cold weather, the auxiliary heat source may be the issue.

Have Questions?

Serving Farmington Hills and Oakland County — fast response before the cold sets in.

Call (989) 607-1707

This content is reviewed by the Michigan Furnace Repairs editorial team and informed by licensed-contractor sourcing, manufacturer documentation, and established industry standards for furnace repair. Read our editorial standards.