You’re probably already using your heat pump on a daily basis to keep warm, which is to be expected during the winter. If you haven’t scheduled maintenance for it yet this season, though you really should have that done sooner rather than later. Professional preventive maintenance is a vital part of ensuring that your heat pump is as prepared as possible to handle the added strain of winter usage. Let’s have a look at why heat pump maintenance is so important to schedule during the fall and winter seasons.
Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heat Pump Maintenance’
Make Sure You Schedule Maintenance for Your Heat Pump This Winter
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018It’s Time for Spring Heat Pump Maintenance
Monday, February 27th, 2017
Spring is almost here, and that means that it’s time for heat pump maintenance. Now, you may be thinking: “wait, didn’t I have heat pump maintenance done 6 months ago?” Even if you did, you still should do it now. Heat pumps have slightly different requirements from other climate control systems in order to stay in good condition. You’re going to want to schedule maintenance for the spring season, if you want the system to be ready for the added stress of summer. Bi-annual maintenance is necessary to make sure that your heat pump stays in good shape.
Be Sure to Schedule Maintenance Bi-Annually for Your Heat Pump
Wednesday, April 13th, 2016With summer just around the corner, many people are starting to schedule preventive maintenance for their air conditioners. If you are using a heat pump, you may think that you don’t have to schedule spring maintenance. You’ve probably already had preventive maintenance done in the last sixth months, as you prepared for winter. However, that doesn’t mean that you can skip out on it now. Read on to find out more about why you need to schedule maintenance for your heat pump twice a year.
Why You Need Spring Heat Pump Maintenance
Monday, March 18th, 2013Because it works all year long to control the temperature of your home, your heat pump requires maintenance. As with any other appliance or machine, the routine maintenance of your heat pump can help to prevent major problems, extend the lifespan of the unit, and improve the efficiency of the heating and cooling system as a whole. Spring is the perfect time to inspect, tune-up and clean your heat pump before the summer heat arrives.
Enrolling in a preventive maintenance plan for your heat pump often entitles you to precision tune-ups, service and equipment discounts, priority service, and quality guarantees. Your heat pump removes heat from your home during the cooling season, and removes cold from your home during the heating season. There are a number of components and mechanism that make this possible. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you need spring heat pump maintenance in Bethesda, MD:
- Equipment check. The electrical and mechanical components of your heat pump need to be checked for wear and tear and potential damage. Catching relatively minor problems and repairing them today may help to save you from major repairs later. Your compressor and blower components should be in good working order, as well as the coils.
- Cleaning. Dust and debris pose a serious danger to the integrity of your heat pump over time. Although they may seem harmless, they can cause your system to overheat, clog up mechanical movement, dry out bearings, and generally increase wear and tear. Thorough cleaning during heat pump maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure that your system runs effectively and efficiently.
- Repair. As your local heat pump technician cleans and checks the components of your system, he is also able to inspect and troubleshoot any problems. Delaying repairs does not cause those problems to go away—in most cases, they only worsen. Spring is a great time to get those repairs out of the way so you can enjoy cool crisp air from your heat pump all summer long.
For spring heat pump maintenance in Bethesda, MD, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today!
Heat Pump Tips: What Happens When You Neglect Maintenance
Monday, February 27th, 2012Just like any HVAC system, the heat pump in your Kensington home needs routine maintenance and yearly check-ups to operate as efficiently and safely as possible. You also don’t want your heat pump to wear down to the point of a major malfunction or breakdown, which can be costly to repair or may require a complete system replacement.
Here are some things that could go wrong and cost you a lot more in the end if you don’t keep up with the regular maintenance of your heat pump.
Damage to the Compressor
The compressor in a split-system heat pump works whether you are heating or cooling your home. In the winter, the compressor reverses the flow of the refrigerant to defrost the outdoor coils, and in the summer it supplies the refrigerant to cool the home, as well as cooling the outdoor coils. Proper airflow is vital to keeping the compressor running smoothly. Filters that are not changed regularly, dirty coils, and dirty fans can all restrict airflow, which will damage the compressor. Debris around the outside components should also be cleared to allow proper airflow.
Decreased Efficiency
When dirty or broken components restrict the airflow, this damages the compressor and decreases the heat pump’s efficiency levels. Not only is it important to clean your heat pump regularly, but you should also have it checked by a certified heating technician once a year. This will also prevent safety hazards and other hidden issues with the heat pump.
Improper Refrigerant Levels
Most heat pumps are charged with refrigerant at the factory; however, if models that are charged when they are installed are not given the right amount of refrigerant this can also affect performance levels. Refrigerant leaks and other common problems can be prevented by scheduling an annual maintenance visit with one of our qualified Kensington HVAC technicians.
Don’t wait until the heat pump in your home stops working, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating to schedule your yearly check-up.
Guide from an HVAC Contractor: How to Maintain High Efficiency Heat Pump Filters
Monday, December 5th, 2011The filter on your heat pump is an integral part of your Urbana home’s comfort system. Without that filter, the device will quickly be subjected to an influx of debris and contaminants that can get into the machinery and the air being filtered into your home. As a result, you need to make sure you properly maintain the filters to reduce stress on your heat pump.
Change Your Filters
High efficiency filters are designed to remove as much of the airborne contaminants in the air as possible. This is fantastic for keeping your indoor air clean. But if you don’t properly maintain the filter, air quality can worsen and your heat pump is put under unnecessary stress. Specifically, the extremely tight knit filter, designed to stop nearly anything from getting through, gets clogged.
Now your heat pump is forced to work much harder to draw the air it needs from outside and heat or cool your home. On top of that, the filter is filled with contaminants that can start to leak back into the air supply, actually making your indoor air quality worse than it would be otherwise. That’s why it is so important to clean your filters on a regular basis (for permanent filters) and replace them if they are one time use.
Recommended Filters
You have options as to which types of filters you use for your heat pump. Filters come in multiple options, from super high MERV rated filters that trap up to 99% of all contaminants as small as 0.3 microns.
Electrostatic filters are especially efficient because they extract contaminants of all types – from dust and mold to smoke and gas fumes. A good filtration system should effectively remove anything from the air without needing replacement too often.
Permanent filters tend to offer the best protection against airborne contaminants and generally need to be cleaned once a month. HEPA filters are often permanent and while each filter is different, these are often extremely effective at minimizing contaminants in the air without putting stress on your heat pump.
Heat Pump Maintenance: A Guide From Ashton
Friday, October 7th, 2011Heating and cooling your Ashton home is a priority. You need your home and family to be comfortable all year round, so you either got or are considering a heat pump. These machines are great because under the right circumstances, they are essentially all-inclusive and incredibly efficient solutions for all your home heating and cooling needs.
Notice the “under the right circumstances” part. A number of things have to be considered when choosing a heat pump, such as the climate and the size of your home. But these are not the only circumstances that influence how well your heat pump works for you. Proper maintenance is a vital component of heat pump ownership, ensuring that you get the best performance out of your heat pump for the longest time possible.
A major part of properly maintaining any machine is to keep it clean. A heat pump is no exception. Dirt and dust can affect the efficiency of your heat pump, as well as speed up corrosion problems. Keep the compressor and coils clean. Check them monthly or so and remove any accumulated dirt. Also, consistently check and change filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Simple cleaning is an easy and effective first step to heat pump maintenance, but there are some things that you just won’t be able to do on your own. For more intensive maintenance, it is best to call in a professional for an annual inspection.
During a routine maintenance check of your heat pump, a technician will inspect the whole heat pump system for problems. He will clean the compressor and coils, tighten any connections that may have loosened up and change the filters as needed. In addition, a skilled technician will be able to detect any early signs of trouble and make necessary repairs to prevent break downs. These small repairs can prevent big problems later on, thereby preventing some serious discomfort and a possible big expense.
If you are considering a heat pump as a heating and cooling solution for your home, great. If you have already decided on one and had it installed, congratulations on making a smart decision. Now, make another smart decision to protect that investment by keeping your new heat pump properly maintained.