Just as you would do with any other heating and cooling system, you need to maintain your heat pump. Not only will proper maintenance save energy, but it will also extend the life of the heat pump, and can even eliminate the need for costly repairs.
Plan to check the heat pump both winter and spring, and to schedule a visit from your HVAC company to perform a thorough inspection.
Heat Pump Maintenance Tips
Scheduling a visit from your HVAC consultant is a crucial step for catching small problems before they turn into bigger, more expensive repairs. A licensed HVAC technician should test the controls and thermostat, check the ducts for air leaks, sealing them if necessary, and verify that there is adequate airflow. Other tasks a technician should perform:
- Inspect the blower
- Check the refrigerant charge, inspecting the unit for leaks
- Inspect electrical wires and terminals, cleaning and tightening connections
- Lubricate motors
- Check belts
Be sure your consultant inspects the condensing unit’s wiring and wiring insulation, repairing damage if need be. The fan blade should also be inspected for damage, and balanced if it is starting to wobble.
Your heat pump likely also has a supplemental heating feature. Ask the consultant to make sure it’s in good working order so you’ll be ready when cold weather arrives.
DIY Inspection
Keep the filters changed as often as the manufacturer’s instructions require. Dirt on the filter reduces airflow, and can cause your heat pump compressor to break down. A dirty air filter also makes the system work harder, driving up energy costs.
If you know how to clean the coils on the outdoor compressor, do so, either with coil cleaner or soap and water. You can also clean the fan (after turning off the power).
Keep weeds, leaf debris and other things away from the outdoor compressor so that airflow is unrestricted.
Inside the home, clean supply and return registers. Make sure vents are unblocked.
More questions about heat pump maintenance? Contact Ace Hardware Home Services. Family owned and operated, we have served our Dayton customers since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “ErikaWittlieb/Pixabay”
