Heat pumps are like central air cooling systems that also operate in reverse to provide home heating as well. A home heat pump works hard season after season. Make sure you’re maximizing its potential with proper use and see that it gets the attention and heat pump maintenance it needs to switch gears into springtime and summer.
Homeowner Operation and Care
It may sound too easy, but regularly changing or cleaning the air filter is one of the best favors you can do for your heat pump, energy budget and home comfort. A clogged filter substantially increases electricity usage from the air handler and can quickly cause HVAC problems and failures.
For maximizing energy-saving set-back/up periods and home comfort, upgrade your thermostat to a programmable model. You program the times of day and night you want to turn back/up temperatures to save energy, and set your favorite comfort temperatures for the time household occupants are at home.
Professional Heat Pump Maintenance
Like the refrigerator in your kitchen, heat pumps manipulate refrigerant to move heat rather than burn fuel to make heat. To do this efficiently, professional heat pump maintenance is highly recommended. Before your HVAC technician arrives, write down any cooling or heating troubles you’ve had, such as strange grinding or rattling noises from the registers, or the indoor or outdoor coils freezing up.
The following steps outline basic preventive maintenance activities your HVAC technician conducts:
• Thermostat is calibrated and tested in all modes.
• Airflow is measured across the air handler.
• Refrigerant charge is measured. If it’s low, the technician checks for leaks in the coils and lines.
• The indoor and outdoor coils are deep cleaned, fins straightened and treated to help prevent mold, bacteria and algae growth.
• Drip pan and drain lines are cleaned and treated.
• Indoor and outdoor air handler assemblies are cleaned and lubricated.
• Demand defrost, reversing valve and electrical contacts and relays are tested.
Learn more about Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating’s heat pump maintenance or contact 888-414-4655 to schedule an appointment.
