Power outages are a fact of life on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands — especially during fall and winter windstorms. Many homeowners wonder what to expect from their heat pump once the power comes back.

The good news: In most cases, your ductless or ducted heat pump will return to normal operation on its own, with the same settings you had before the outage.

Give It a Little Time

After power is restored, allow your system 10–15 minutes to fully restart. In cold weather or after a long outage, it may take a bit longer to begin producing steady heat.

When to Reset Your System

If your heat pump doesn’t come back on after 15 minutes, or if you see flashing lights/no response from the remote, try a system reboot:

1. Turn off all indoor units with your remote(s).

2. Check your electrical panel to confirm breakers are ON.

3. Locate the outdoor unit’s disconnect switch (mounted near the unit) or use your breaker panel. Turn the power OFF for at least 10 minutes.

4. Restore power and turn your indoor units back on.

This process resets the computer board and often resolves post-outage hiccups.

Quick FAQs: 
Heat Pumps & Power Outages

Will my heat pump come back on after a power outage?
Yes. Most systems restart automatically with the same settings. Allow 10–15 minutes for it to ramp back up.

What if my heat pump won’t turn on after a power outage?
Do a hard reset.

Why are there flashing lights on my heat pump after a power outage?
Flashing or blinking lights mean the system needs a reset. Follow the hard reset steps above.

How do I reset my heat pump after a power outage?

1. Turn off indoor units.

2. Shut off power to the outdoor unit/breaker for 10 minutes.

3. Turn power back on and restart units.

Does a heat pump lose its settings after a power outage?
No. Your system should return to the same mode and temperature as before.

👉 Not sure if your remote is set correctly? Check out our guide to using your ductless handheld remote controller for step-by-step instructions and a quick video.