Is Your Heat Pump as Efficient as it Could Be?

Heat pumps are an exciting addition to the world of heating and cooling. Using small amounts of energy, a heat pump can warm or cool a building based on your needs. Renowned for their efficiency and ease of use, heat pumps still require regular maintenance. Failing to have your unit regularly serviced can cost you money from reduced efficiency or result in costly repairs in the long run.

How Much Maintenance Does My Heat Pump Need?

You can do some, but not all, of the maintenance yourself. How often you need to perform routine maintenance depends on your environment, how often you use the system and how much time you have. If you don’t have time for even regular maintenance, you can hire someone to do it for you. The basic routine maintenance you can do yourself includes:

• Rinse the indoor filters and dust the top of the indoor unit.
• Ensure there are no obstructions, such as tall weeds, grass or bushes in front of the outdoor unit.
• Remove dirt, mud and debris from the outdoor unit with a garden hose.
• Make sure snow does not pile up in front of the outdoor unit.

Service From the Professionals

At least once a year, have your HVAC professionals check the entire system’s operation. They can ensure all the connections are tight, the wiring has not been damaged and carefully inspect and clean the areas you cannot easily access. The professionals can also test the system’s efficiency to ensure it’s performing as expected. If it isn’t, diagnosing the problem early can save a lot of money. A small fix is almost always less expensive than a complete system failure.

If your unit is making odd noises, has a strange smell or has something inside it (such as ice, mildew or debris) contact your local HVAC company. Never try to poke anything into the outdoor unit, chip at ice or attempt to work on the electrical/electronic components yourself.

If it’s time to service your heat pump, or if you require a repair, contact ClimateSmith today and schedule an appointment.