If you use a heat pump in your home, it’s important that it be properly maintained. Maintaining your heat pump will not only save you energy dollars; it can protect the sizable investment you made in your heat pump. According to the federal government, poorly maintained heat pumps can use as much as 10 to 25 percent more energy than well-maintained heat pumps. There are several things you can do right now to improve your heat pump performance.
Filters
Dirty filters can significantly reduce your heat pump efficiency. Depending on the types of filters you use in your system, and how often you use your heat pump, you’ll want to change them every one to three months. Check them monthly no matter what.
Coils
Dirt or debris on your outside condenser coils can interfere with effective heat transfer, reducing your heat pump’s efficiency. Turn off the unit and carefully remove any leaves or other debris. Then clean any dirt off the coils. In addition, trim back any grass or weeds around the unit, and sweep away leaves and other debris.
Return and supply grilles
Clean all grilles and registers to ensure they’re not clogged. Also, make sure that there are no furnishings, pictures or other items blocking the airflow to and from the grills and registers.
Scheduled maintenance
There are many tasks involved with maintaining your heat pump that only a professional can carry out. This is why you should have yearly scheduled maintenance performed by a local contractor. This professional can do things such as:
- Check the refrigerant pressure
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Inspect electrical connections and controls
- Look for and repair duct leaks
- Check airflow and adjust as necessary
Properly maintaining your heat pump can save you a lot of money over the years. If you have any further questions about this or any other home comfort issue, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We have served the Dayton area for more than 30 years.
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 pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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