4 Important Heat Pump Maintenance Tips
How often do you schedule a maintenance visit for the heat pump in your Girard home? Taking proper care of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the best way to ensure it will function efficiently and reach its full service life potential.
Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your heat pump is in top shape with no signs of trouble. After all, nobody wants to experience a system breakdown.
Wm Price Heating Co understands how important it is for your heat pump to operate at its greatest capacity. You depend on your system for comfort, and it’s our mission to help you achieve this. So whether you need to keep warm or cool down, we are here to help.
A heat pump offers both the heating and cooling you need for optimal indoor comfort, but keeping up with routine maintenance is critical for it to remain in peak condition. Let us walk you through some basic heat pump maintenance tips to ensure maximum efficiency.
- Change or Clean Your Air Filter
Like many other types of HVAC systems, heat pumps have an air filter that needs to be replaced every one to six months. Air filters are designed to catch particles so you don’t end up breathing them in.
Your air filter prevents a significant amount of dust, dirt, pet dander, bacteria, and viruses from circulating in the air throughout your home, ultimately improving your indoor air quality (IAQ). If you don’t replace or wash a reusable filter, you’ll expose yourself to the buildup of debris and contaminants. This can aggravate symptoms of conditions like asthma, allergies, and upper respiratory issues, so if you struggle with any of these, be sure to change your filter regularly.
How do you rate a filter? Look at the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating. Filters with high MERV ratings are capable of trapping even the smallest of particles—just be sure the filter with the MERV rating you choose is compatible with your heat pump or you may restrict airflow. We recommend Merv 8, as filters with a higher rating may cause operational issues with your system. - Clean Your Heat Pump and Surrounding Area Carefully
Keep the area where your outdoor unit is located as clear as possible. Mow the surrounding grass and trim any hedges, shrubs, or other nearby plants. Your heat pump should have a clearance of at least a couple of feet on each side for efficient airflow.
Remove dirt, leaves, branches, and other debris from the top and sides of your system. Otherwise, you risk damage to your heat pump.
During the winter, clear off any buildup of ice and snow around your unit. Your heat pump should defrost automatically, as it may start to frost in cold weather or snowy conditions. A homeowner should never manually defrost a heat pump. If there is a heavy buildup of ice on your unit, this could possibly be an issue that should be evaluated by a trained technician.
- Stay on Top of Problems and Schedule Safety Inspections
Flush the indoor condensate pan and drain in the spring with white vinegar before using the air conditioning. This is extremely important if the unit is above or in a finished living area, but it should really be done by a trained service technician. If a unit is above a finished area, it should be equipped with an overflow safety switch.
While you can perform some maintenance tasks on your own, there’s no greater peace of mind than knowing a heating and cooling professional has evaluated your heat pump. Keep up with regular safety and inspection checks so any issues can be discovered early on.
Having a team of professionals inspect your HVAC system is great, but if an issue is discovered, it’s essential to have it addressed soon. Don’t delay significant repairs. Take care of minor problems too—otherwise, they may become major and expensive. - Opt for Professional Maintenance Annually
While doing your part to maintain your heat pump is critical so it can remain in good condition, you can also leave it to our experts to perform maintenance—big or small, we handle it all. You should schedule a professional heat pump maintenance visit at least once a year anyway, and spring or summer months are the optimum times.
With professional maintenance, you’ll be able to remain in compliance with your warranty, reduce the risk of a complete system breakdown, and improve the overall efficiency of your system. In fact, you could save up to 30 percent on your energy bill when you perform maintenance services that support ideal system efficiency, according to the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).
What Happens During a Professional Maintenance Visit?
During a routine professional maintenance visit with our professionals, you can expect us to perform a 20-point inspection, which includes:
- Evaluate refrigerant levels and address any leaks.
- Check your thermostat and ensure it is functioning correctly.
- Clean indoor and outdoor components to support smooth operation.
- Assess all components to be sure there are no current or potential issues that need to be addressed.
- Check the filter and replace it if necessary.
When it comes to heat pump maintenance, our professionals are here to help. We want your system to remain in top shape for many years to come, so if you’re ever unsure about how to properly maintain your heat pump on your own or would prefer to leave it to our experts, just give us a call at 330-545-3722.
We also offer an exceptional maintenance plan to help ensure you never miss a service that will encourage your system to operate as efficiently as possible. Be sure to speak with our experts to learn more and become a member today!
Contact Our Professionals for Heat Pump Maintenance Today
Our Wm Price Heating Co professionals have been providing critical maintenance services for homeowners in the Girard, OH, and surrounding areas for 88 years. Trust in us—we are here to address your heat pump concerns. Call 330-545-3722. or request service online today.