Heat Pump 101 – A Basic Tune-Up

Good heat pump maintenance is the key to energy-efficient operation and long equipment life. There are several things you can do to ensure efficient operation of your heat pump. You should rely on your professional HVAC technician to perform the heat pump maintenance tasks that you can’t do safely and effectively yourself.

Heat Pump Maintenance

Be sure to change the air filter at appropriate intervals. A dirty filter restricts airflow in the ductwork and makes the heat pump work harder than it should to heat and cool your home effectively.

Set up a heat pump maintenance agreement with your HVAC contractor for annual or semi-annual service calls. An HVAC pro can tackle the following maintenance tasks to keep your system running efficiently:

• Measure and adjust airflow for correct balance.
• Measure and adjust refrigerant levels for correct cooling operation.
• Inspect, clean and lubricate moving parts.
• Clean and tighten electrical connections.
• Clean and inspect evaporator and condenser coils. Check for refrigerant leaks.
• Inspect ductwork. Repair loose connections and seal leaks.
• Check for correct thermostat operation. Make sure backup heat is not running under normal operating conditions.

Optimal Heat Pump Operation

Once you program the thermostat to control heat pump operation, avoid manually overriding the settings. If you set the thermostat temperature more than a few degrees higher than its programmed setting on cold days, you’re likely to force the backup heating system to come on. The backup heat, whether it comes from electric resistance coils or a natural gas furnace, is a more expensive heat source than your heat pump is under normal weather conditions.

Unless the heat pump has a high-efficiency variable-speed fan, you should leave your system in “auto” mode rather than “fan” mode. Leaving a single-speed fan running continuously distributes air evenly throughout your house, but it increases electrical costs and shortens the life of air-handling equipment.

Learn more about routine heat pump maintenance or emergency repairs with Air Specialty or contact us today at (251) 415-4559.