A heat pump both heats and cools, which makes it a smart fit for many McDonald County homes — one efficient system for the whole year. Hooten Heating & Cooling repairs, installs, and tunes heat pumps and ductless mini-splits across Goodman and Southwest Missouri, and we know how to keep them running efficiently through humid summers and cold snaps alike.
From a system that won't switch to heat, to a unit that ices over in winter, to a brand-new right-sized install, we handle the full range of heat-pump work with honest diagnosis and written pricing.
Heat Pump Problems & Services
Not heating or not cooling
A reversing-valve, refrigerant, or control fault can leave a heat pump stuck in one mode. We diagnose the true cause.
Freezing up in winter
Some frost is normal, but a heat pump that stays iced over has a defrost, airflow, or refrigerant problem worth checking.
Running constantly
Long run times in extreme weather can be normal, but constant running in mild weather signals a charge or sizing issue.
Auxiliary heat running too often
Expensive backup electric heat kicking on in mild weather usually means the heat pump isn't carrying its share of the load.
New install or ductless mini-split
We size and install heat pumps and mini-splits for additions, shops, and homes without existing ductwork.
Heat Pump Acting Up? What to Check First
A few safe checks before we arrive can save a service call — or at least help us fix it faster. Don't open the refrigerant circuit or reset a tripping breaker repeatedly.
If it's not heating or cooling
- 1Confirm the thermostat is set to the right mode and give it a few minutes — heat pumps ramp up gradually, not like a furnace.
- 2Check and replace the filter — restricted airflow is a top cause of weak performance and freezing.
- 3Make sure both the indoor and outdoor breakers/disconnects are on; don't keep resetting one that trips again.
- 4Clear leaves, grass, or snow from around the outdoor unit so it can breathe.
- 5Note the symptom and when it started, then call us.
Constant 'emergency heat' or aux-heat use in mild weather means it's time to call.
If the outdoor unit is iced over
- 1A light frost that clears during a defrost cycle is normal in cold, damp weather.
- 2If the unit stays encased in ice, switch it off and set the thermostat to 'emergency heat' to protect the coil.
- 3Don't chip at the ice or pour hot water on the unit — you can damage the coil or fins.
- 4Photograph the icing and call us — it's usually a defrost sensor, control board, or low refrigerant.
Running a fully iced-over heat pump can damage the compressor.
Our Process
Every job follows a clear, honest process — so you always know what's happening and why.
- 1
Diagnosis or design consult
For repairs we test the fault; for installs we assess the home and heating/cooling loads.
- 2
Load-based sizing
New systems are sized with a Manual J calculation so the heat pump performs efficiently in both modes.
- 3
Written pricing
Repair or install, you get clear written pricing before work begins.
- 4
Service or install
We complete the repair or professional installation, including defrost and charge verification.
- 5
Performance test
We confirm heating and cooling operation, airflow, and efficient defrost cycles.
It is normal for a heat pump to frost up and then run a defrost cycle in cold, damp weather — that quick burst of steam off the outdoor unit is the system melting frost, not a failure. The problem is when the unit stays encased in ice or the defrost cycle never runs. If that's happening, call before the coil is damaged; the fix is usually a sensor, control board, or refrigerant charge.
A heat pump that runs nonstop in mild weather, leans hard on expensive 'emergency heat,' or ices over and won't clear is telling you something — usually low refrigerant, a stuck reversing valve, or a defrost fault. Because our winters bring cold snaps near 26°F, we size new heat pumps with a Manual J load calculation and talk through backup heat honestly, so your system carries its share of the load without your electric bill spiking.
What Affects the Price
Heat pump repairs range with the fault, while a new heat pump or ductless mini-split install generally runs $2,100–$16,000 depending on capacity, zones, and ductwork. We provide written pricing and financing options on qualifying installs.
Heat Pump Repair
$95–$4,110
National range — verify
Emergency Service
$150–$3,500
After-hours varies
Hourly Labor
$55–$225
Avg. total $210–$650
New Heat Pump
$2,100–$16,000
By capacity & zones
Researched, aggregated ranges to help you plan — not a quote. Your written price depends on the specifics below.
- Repair vs. full installation
- System capacity and number of indoor zones (for mini-splits)
- Refrigerant, defrost, and control components
- Ductwork or line-set requirements
- Efficiency rating and any backup heat integration
Central Heat Pump, Ductless Mini-Split, or Dual-Fuel?
If you're installing new, the right heat-pump setup depends on your home, your ductwork, and how cold it gets. Here's how we help you choose.
Central Heat Pump
One efficient system heats and cools a whole home with usable ductwork — a strong year-round choice for Southwest Missouri.
Ductless Mini-Split
Ideal for additions, shops, garages, or homes without ducts — efficient, zone-by-zone comfort with no ductwork needed.
Dual-Fuel
A heat pump paired with a gas or propane furnace for the coldest snaps — often the lowest operating cost for rural homes on propane.
Need Heat Pumps Now?
Call Hooten Heating & Cooling for fast, honest heat pump services across Goodman, McDonald County & Southwest Missouri.
Where We Provide Heat Pumps
Serving Goodman and communities across McDonald County and Southwest Missouri: