Heat Pump Repair: Expert Tips On How To Maintain Your Heat Pump

While some homeowners prefer installing furnaces to keep their houses warm, others go for heat pumps. Heat pumps come with a number of benefits. One is that they are energy efficient. Since they don’t generate heat, they spend little energy which means a small energy bill at the end of the month.

You can also use them to heat the house and in summer, you use them to keep the house cool. For you to keep the heat pumps in top shape, you should take good care of them. Here are tips on how to do it as given by heat pump repair professionals:

Pay attention to the outdoor unit

Everything begins here. You need to ensure that the outdoor unit is clean all the time. Remove all the debris from the unit. This calls for you to get rid of the debris from the condenser or compressor.

You can use your hands or use a vacuum cleaner to do it. Experts also recommend that you spray the unit with a garden hose and you will remove the dirt, debris, and grass clippings that might be there.

You might have come across information that you can use a pressure washer to clean the unit. Don’t do it as the pressure washer will bend the coil fins.

In addition to cleaning the unit, you also need to check the wiring connections and ensure that they are tight and in good condition.

Is there overgrown foliage and outdoor debris outside your unit? This can prevent your heat pump from functioning optimally; therefore, you should get rid of them. Trim plants and trees that are close to the outdoor unit.

By doing this you ensure there is optimal air distribution thus your unit functions better.

Don’t ignore the indoor unit

Paying attention to the indoor unit isn’t enough. You also need to pay attention to the indoor unit. Clean the blower wheel. Is this the first time you are coming across this term? The blower wheel is located inside the indoor unit.

To access it you need to remove the drain panel that has flaps that open and close. You should then loosen the coil vent and gently pull out the blower wheel. Carefully clean the wheel with a garden hose.

Once you are done, return the wheel into the unit. When returning the wheel, ensure that you insert back all the screws that you would have removed. Be cautious and ensure that you return all of them at their right places as failure to do so will lead to an improperly installed unit.

You also should pay attention to the thermostat. Is it properly set? If not, recalibrate it. You also should check whether its level. Remember that if its off center, it can alter with the accuracy of the internal component; therefore, ensure that its level.

Finally, check whether the thermostat is too old. Has it been developing problems lately? Is it noisy when working? If it has been having these issues, it’s time that you considered replacing it.

Swap the air filters

Just like your furnace, you need to pay attention to the air filters for your unit to continue functioning optimally. The purpose of the air filters is to allow air to flow within the system. Due to its location, the air filter tends to collect a lot of dirt which restricts air flow.

When there is restricted airflow, the heat pump can’t function optimally. At least once a month, inspect the air filters. If they are dirty, clean them. In some cases, the air filters are too dirty to the extent that you can’t clean them. In such a scenario, you have no way out other than to replace them.

When getting new units ensure that the new ones are of high quality. They also should be of the right size for your unit.

Getting new air filters not only increases the unit’s efficiency levels, it also lengthens its lifespan as it doesn’t work too hard.

Undertake regular inspections

At least once a year, hire heat pump repair service Arlington VA providers to inspect the unit and fix any issues it might be having. For ideal services, ensure the contractors are experienced and certified to work in your local area.