If your air conditioning isn’t heating properly in winter or cooling in summer, you’re definitely not the only one. We see this all the time on jobs across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
A lot of systems we install and repair are heat pumps, so they’re designed to do both. When something’s off, it usually affects the whole system — not just heating or cooling.
Before assuming the worst, here are a few common things we check first when we get called out.
🔧 1. Check the Mode First (You’d Be Surprised)
This might sound obvious, but it’s probably the most common issue we come across.
We’ve had plenty of call-outs where everything was working fine — the system was just set to the wrong mode.
- Cooling mode ❄️
- Heating mode ☀️
Sometimes it’s just been switched accidentally on the remote.
👉 If you’re not sure how your system should be set up, have a look at our Air Conditioning Services page to understand how your system works.
🌬️ 2. Dirty Filters Causing Weak Airflow
This is another big one.
If the filters are clogged, the system can’t push air properly. That affects both heating and cooling.
We recently attended a job in Birmingham where the unit wasn’t heating at all — turned out the filters hadn’t been cleaned in over a year. Once cleaned, it was working as it should.
👉 If your system hasn’t been serviced in a while, it’s worth booking a proper check through our Air Conditioning Maintenance & Servicing service.
❄️ 3. Low Refrigerant (Gas Issue)
If your system is low on refrigerant, it won’t perform properly — simple as that.
You might notice:
- Air not getting properly warm or cold
- System running constantly
- Ice forming on the unit
This isn’t something you can fix yourself.
👉 We handle this as part of our Air Conditioning Repair Services, including leak checks and recharging the system safely.
🌳 4. Outdoor Unit Blocked or Struggling
The outdoor unit does most of the hard work, especially in heating mode.
If it’s blocked with dirt or doesn’t have enough airflow, performance drops.
In winter, we also see units freezing up, which can stop them heating properly.
👉 Just make sure nothing is blocking it — if it still struggles, it’s worth getting it looked at.
🌡️ 5. Thermostat or Sensor Playing Up
Sometimes the system just isn’t reading the temperature correctly.
That can cause:
- Heating stopping too early
- Room not reaching the right temperature
- System turning on and off too often
Usually needs a proper check to diagnose.
⚠️ 6. System Not Right for the Space
To be honest, we do come across installs where the unit just isn’t suitable for the room.
If it’s undersized or not installed correctly, it’ll always struggle — especially in extreme temperatures.
👉 If you’re thinking about upgrading, our Air Conditioning Installation Services can help you choose the right system for your space.
When It’s Time to Call Someone
If you’ve checked the basics and it’s still not right, it’s best to get it sorted properly.
Give us a call if:
- No heating in winter
- No cooling in summer
- Strange noises or smells
- Energy bills going up for no reason
You can get in touch through our Contact Page, and we’ll take a look.
Useful Advice
If you want to understand how heat pump systems work in more detail, you can also check guidance from the Energy Saving Trust — they’ve got some good practical info for UK homeowners.
Final Word
Most of the time, these issues are something simple — filters, settings, or minor faults. But if left too long, they can turn into bigger problems.
At BDS Services Ltd, we deal with this day in, day out across Birmingham and the West Midlands, so we can usually spot the issue pretty quickly.
And if your system turns out not to be worth repairing, we also supply and install new air conditioning units at very competitive prices — with systems starting from just £899.
👉 If your air conditioning isn’t heating or cooling properly, get in touch and we’ll give you a straightforward, honest assessment.
