Heat Pump & Heat Strip Repair in Melbourne, DeLand & The Villages, FL
Most Florida homes do not have a gas furnace. About 90% heat with electricity, using either a heat pump (the same unit that cools the house, running in reverse) or electric resistance heat strips in the air handler. So in Florida, “furnace repair” usually means heat pump or heat strip repair. Champion AC & Heating Repair fixes both, so you have heat on cold mornings in DeLand, Oxford, The Villages and Melbourne.
Call (321) 603-3802 in Melbourne, (386) 877-0405 in DeLand or (352) 763-8394 in Oxford. We are open 24 hours, and financing is available.
Common Florida heating problems
- Burning smell the first time you turn on the heat — usually dust burning off the heat strips, which is normal if it goes away within a few minutes. If it does not, or you smell an electrical burning odor, turn the system off and call us.
- Heat pump blowing cool air — a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant, a thermostat setting, or the system in defrost mode.
- Outdoor unit covered in frost or ice — some frost in defrost cycles is normal. A solid block of ice is not.
- “Emergency heat” or “aux heat” running all the time — high power bills are a sign the heat pump is not doing the work.
- No heat at all — a failed heat strip element, sequencer, limit switch, or breaker.
Our Services
What we repair
- Heat pump reversing valves, defrost controls and sensors
- Heat strip elements, sequencers, relays and limit switches
- Thermostat setup for heat pumps (auxiliary vs. emergency heat)
- Package heat pump and package unit heat strips
For full system work, see heat pump repair and heat pump installation.
Heat strips vs. heat pump: which is cheaper to run?
A heat pump moves heat instead of creating it, so in Florida’s mild winters it typically uses a fraction of the electricity of resistance heat strips. If your home cools with a straight AC and heats with strips only, a heat pump is often the more efficient replacement. Some utilities, including Duke Energy Florida, have offered rebates for this conversion. We check current programs for your utility when we quote.
Get ready before the first cold snap
Our AC & heat pump maintenance visit includes a heating check: heat strip amp draw, the reversing valve, defrost operation and thermostat settings. That way the first 40°F morning does not turn into an emergency call.
Signs your heat needs repair before winter
- The heat smells like burning for more than a few minutes
- Lukewarm air in heat mode
- Aux or emergency heat comes on often
- Breakers trip when the heat runs
- Ice that doesn’t clear from the outdoor unit
What affects heating repair cost
- Heat strip elements, sequencers and relays are usually modest repairs
- Defrost boards and sensors cost more
- Reversing valves and compressors are major repairs
- Parts warranty coverage can lower the price
We diagnose first and quote before any work.
Safe heating tips for Florida homes
- Test smoke alarms before the first cold snap.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms if your home has gas appliances.
- Keep space heaters 3 feet from anything that can burn and never leave them unattended.
- Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
Why Florida homeowners choose Champion AC
- 20 years of experience with Florida homes
- Licensed and insured technicians
- All major brands serviced and installed
- Open 24/7, including nights and weekends
- Upfront pricing before any work starts
Heating repair pricing, financing and guarantee
You see the price before we start, with no hidden fees. Financing is available for larger repairs and new equipment. Satisfaction guaranteed: we don’t leave until your system is working properly.
Heating repair FAQs
Do Florida homes have furnaces?
Most do not. About 90% of Florida homes heat with electricity, through a heat pump or electric heat strips in the air handler. Some homes, mainly in North and Central Florida, have gas furnaces.
Why does my heat smell like burning in Florida?
Heat strips collect dust over the long cooling season, and it burns off the first time they run. If the smell lasts more than a few minutes or smells electrical, turn the system off and call a technician.
What is emergency heat on a heat pump?
Emergency heat runs only the electric heat strips and bypasses the heat pump. It is meant for when the heat pump has failed. It is expensive to run, so call for repair rather than leaving it on.
Why is my heat pump outside unit icing up?
Light frost that clears during defrost cycles is normal on cold, damp mornings. Heavy ice that does not clear usually points to low refrigerant, a defrost control failure or poor airflow.
What temperature should I set my heat to in Florida?
Around 68°F is comfortable for most people and keeps heat strip use down.
Is it normal for a heat pump to blow lukewarm air?
Yes. Heat pump air often feels cooler than air from a furnace, even when the system is working properly.
Do I need a heating tune-up in Florida?
A quick check in fall catches heat strip and reversing valve problems before the first cold morning.
Choose your area
We provide heat pump & heat strip repair across three service areas. Choose yours for local details, phone numbers and FAQs:
Ready to schedule heat pump & heat strip repair?
Call (321) 603-3802 in Melbourne, (386) 877-0405 in DeLand or (352) 763-8394 in Oxford. Use Instant Online Quotation or Schedule a Consultation. We are open 24/7.
