WHAT DOES HEAT PUMP MAINTENANCE INCLUDE?
When it comes to HVAC equipment, heat pump systems give you the best of both worlds because they can cool and heat your home simultaneously. That should be enough to make your old furnace or air conditioner envious!
In order to preserve the performance, efficiency, and lifespan of your unit, heat pump maintenance is essential because they run all year round and do not have seasonal breaks like air conditioners and furnaces. Use these upkeep suggestions to keep your system in good working order all year long.
How Do Heat Pumps Operate?
Let’s first explain a little about how a heat pump functions before we cover how to maintain one. Due to the fact that they don’t actually produce heat or cool air, heat pumps function differently than conventional air conditioners or heating systems. To achieve the heating and cooling process, they transport heat instead.
A heat pump removes excessive heat from your house during the summer and releases it outside (or underground in geothermal systems). The heat pump moves heat from the outdoor air inside to warm your living spaces throughout the winter.
On the other hand, furnaces generate heat either by electrical resistance or the combustion of fossil fuels. When it comes to cooling a house, air conditioners and heat pumps function similarly, but an air conditioner cannot provide heating like a heat pump can.
Maintaining Heat Pumps
If your home has a heat pump installed, you need undertake specific heat pump maintenance procedures throughout the year to protect the functionality and efficiency of your equipment.
- When necessary, replace the air filter. While taking into account any unique aspects of your home that can increase the frequency of changes, such as pets or smoking inside, check the filter manufacturer’s recommended frequency.
- All year round, keep the outer coils clean. Turn off the unit’s power before using a hose to remove dirt.
- To ensure optimal airflow, keep vegetation at least 24 inches away from your heat pump.
- Never keep anything close to your outside heat pump. This includes outdoor toys, lawn equipment, and patio furniture.
- In the winter, clear the exterior of your unit of snow and ice. This guard against damage and lets air freely enter the appliance.
- To get rid of obstructions that can lead to mold growth and water damage to the nearby regions, flush the unit’s condensate pan and drain.
