Heat Pump & Heat Strip Repair in DeLand, 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. Our DeLand team serves Orange City, DeBary, Deltona, DeLeon Springs and Lake Helen.
Call our DeLand team at (386) 877-0405, use Instant Online Quotation, or Schedule a Consultation. 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

Heat Pump & Heat Strip Repair in DeLand: what we see locally
DeLand regularly sees freezing nights in winter, so working heat strips and heat pumps matter more here than on the coast.
Our DeLand team serves homeowners across Volusia County, including Orange City, DeBary, Deltona, DeLeon Springs and Lake Helen. Call (386) 877-0405 to schedule, or use Instant Online Quotation.
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.

Heat Pump & Heat Strip Repair in DeLand at a glance
- Service area: DeLand and nearby Orange City, DeBary, Deltona, DeLeon Springs and Lake Helen
- Hours: 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays
- Typical visit: 1–2 hours for most repairs
- Brands: all major brands of AC, heat pump and ductless systems
- Pricing: upfront price before any work starts; financing available
- Guarantee: we don’t leave until your system is working properly
- Local phone: (386) 877-0405
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 in DeLand?
- 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.

DeLand weather and your HVAC system
West Volusia County sees summer highs in the low to mid 90s, heavy humidity from the St. Johns River basin and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are mild during the day but cold at night, with several frosty mornings most years. That means a long, demanding cooling season, real heating demand in January, and plenty of lightning-related electrical problems in summer.
Related services in DeLand
- Heat Pump Repair in DeLand: cooling and heating repairs for all heat pump brands.
- Heat Pump Installation & Replacement in DeLand: efficient heat pumps that replace old systems or heat strips.
- Thermostat Installation & Repair in DeLand: smart and humidity-control thermostats.
- AC & Heat Pump Maintenance in DeLand: tune-ups that prevent breakdowns and keep bills down.
Neighborhoods we serve around DeLand
Our DeLand team serves west Volusia County, from the historic downtown and the Stetson University area to DeLeon Springs, Lake Helen, Orange City, DeBary and Deltona. We work on everything from older homes with original ductwork near downtown to newer subdivisions along the I-4 corridor.
- Main roads: US-17/92, State Road 44, State Road 472 and I-4
- ZIP codes: 32720, 32724, 32130, 32744, 32763, 32713, 32725 and 32738
- Homes we work on: historic bungalows, 1980s–2000s block homes, newer subdivisions and manufactured homes

Why DeLand 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 for DeLand homeowners
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.
Do you offer heat pump & heat strip repair in Orange City, DeBary and Deltona?
Yes. Our DeLand team provides heat pump & heat strip repair in DeLand and nearby Orange City, DeBary, Deltona, DeLeon Springs and Lake Helen. Call (386) 877-0405, 24/7.
How quickly can you get to my home in DeLand?
We answer 24/7 and offer same-day service for most calls in DeLand, Orange City, DeBary and Deltona.
Which ZIP codes do you serve around DeLand?
We serve DeLand and nearby ZIP codes including 32720, 32724, 32130, 32744, 32763, 32713, 32725 and 32738.
Heat Pump & Heat Strip Repair near you
We provide heat pump & heat strip repair in DeLand and nearby Orange City, DeBary, Deltona, DeLeon Springs and Lake Helen. See all of our DeLand HVAC services. We also offer this service in Melbourne, FL and Oxford & The Villages, FL.
Ready to schedule heat pump & heat strip repair in DeLand?
Call our DeLand team at (386) 877-0405. Use Instant Online Quotation or Schedule a Consultation. We are open 24/7.
