Heat pumps have proved to be a highly efficient way to heat or cool your home but only if they are kept in good working order. Proper heat pump maintenance should be a joint effort between you and your technician. Take some time to learn about your heat pump so you’ll know which jobs you can easily accomplish yourself and which are best left to a professional.
Tasks for you
Most of the homeowner’s responsibilities are simple but they can make a big difference in the efficiency of your heat pump system and may prevent large repair bills.
- Check the air filters monthly. These are the first line of defense against loss of efficiency and damage to your unit. Make sure they fit properly and are clean. Generally speaking, if they look dirty, they are dirty.
- Make sure ice is not building up on your outside components. A small amount of frost is normal but a large buildup will prevent the unit from working properly and lead to damage. It likely is signaling another serious problem.
- Ensure that all visible parts are kept free of debris.
Tasks for the tech
Have an HVAC technician visit your home at least once a year to give your system a complete check-up. He or she will have the tools and know-how to accomplish the following tasks:
- Check the status of your duct system. The tech will verify that the correct amount of air is flowing through the ducts and make any necessary repairs.
- Check, clean and lubricate belts and motors.
- Make sure all electrical components are clean and working properly.
- Verify the accuracy of your thermostat.
- Replace any worn or damaged parts.
- Check refrigerant level and charge if necessary. If the level is low, he will look for possible leaks.
- Check and clean the indoor and outdoor coils.
With you keeping an eye on your heat pump and regular checkups by a professional, your heat pump should serve you well for many years. If you live in the Dayton area and have any questions about heat pump maintenance or any other heating or cooling topic, please contact us. Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. has locations in both Dayton and Springfield, so we are always close by and ready to help with your HVAC issues.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pump maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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