Heat Pump & Heat Strip Repair in Melbourne, 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 Melbourne team serves Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Viera, Suntree, Satellite Beach and Indialantic.
Call our Melbourne team at (321) 603-3802, 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 Melbourne: what we see locally
Melbourne winters are mild, so heat strips sit unused for months and often smell or fail on the first cold morning.
Our Melbourne team serves homeowners across Brevard County, including Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Viera, Suntree, Satellite Beach and Indialantic. Call (321) 603-3802 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 Melbourne at a glance
- Service area: Melbourne and nearby Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Viera, Suntree, Satellite Beach and Indialantic
- 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: (321) 603-3802
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 Melbourne?
- 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.

Melbourne weather and your HVAC system
Melbourne summers bring highs around 90°F with heavy humidity, and the ocean breeze carries salt inland for several miles. Winters are mild, with most nights in the 50s and only rare cold snaps. That combination means long cooling seasons, fast coil corrosion near the coast and heat strips that sit unused for most of the year. Brevard County is also exposed to Atlantic hurricanes and frequent summer lightning, so surge protection and secure outdoor units matter here.
Related services in Melbourne
- Heat Pump Repair in Melbourne: cooling and heating repairs for all heat pump brands.
- Heat Pump Installation & Replacement in Melbourne: efficient heat pumps that replace old systems or heat strips.
- Thermostat Installation & Repair in Melbourne: smart and humidity-control thermostats.
- AC & Heat Pump Maintenance in Melbourne: tune-ups that prevent breakdowns and keep bills down.
Neighborhoods we serve around Melbourne
Our Melbourne team covers the heart of the Space Coast in Brevard County, from historic Eau Gallie and downtown Melbourne to Suntree, Viera and West Melbourne, and south into Palm Bay. We also serve the barrier island communities of Indialantic, Melbourne Beach and Satellite Beach, where salt air is hardest on outdoor units.
- Main roads: US-1, US-192, Wickham Road, Babcock Street and I-95
- ZIP codes: 32901, 32903, 32904, 32905, 32907, 32909, 32934, 32935, 32937 and 32940
- Homes we work on: 1960s–1980s block homes, newer Viera and Palm Bay subdivisions, and beachside condos

Why Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 Palm Bay, Viera and Satellite Beach?
Yes. Our Melbourne team provides heat pump & heat strip repair in Melbourne and nearby Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Viera, Suntree, Satellite Beach and Indialantic. Call (321) 603-3802, 24/7.
How quickly can you get to my home in Melbourne?
We answer 24/7 and offer same-day service for most calls in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera and Satellite Beach.
Which ZIP codes do you serve around Melbourne?
We serve Melbourne and nearby ZIP codes including 32901, 32903, 32904, 32905, 32907, 32909, 32934, 32935, 32937 and 32940.
Heat Pump & Heat Strip Repair near you
We provide heat pump & heat strip repair in Melbourne and nearby Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Viera, Suntree, Satellite Beach and Indialantic. See all of our Melbourne HVAC services. We also offer this service in Oxford & The Villages, FL and DeLand, FL.
Ready to schedule heat pump & heat strip repair in Melbourne?
Call our Melbourne team at (321) 603-3802. Use Instant Online Quotation or Schedule a Consultation. We are open 24/7.
