A heat pump is one of the most versatile household appliances and is important in maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature all year round. Like an HVAC unit, a heat pump can cool your home when temperatures soar and can also act like a heater in cold weather.
Though heat pumps have a higher installation cost than traditional heating and cooling systems, their benefits far outweigh their price. With a heat pump, you will save more energy and more money on your heating and cooling bill.
Since they do not need fuel, heat pumps are more energy-efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems and can help reduce heating and cooling costs. They are also much safer since combustion does not occur and are also much quieter than traditional furnaces and ACs.
Every piece of household equipment needs regular tune-ups and heat pumps are no different. The main aim of periodic maintenance is to detect and prevent errors. Regular maintenance helps minimize downtime and a well-maintained heat pump is more reliable than a poorly maintained one.
Regular maintenance adds years to the service life of a heat pump and can save you money on repairs down the road.
How Frequently Should You Maintain Your Heat Pump?
Have a professional maintain your heat pump twice every year – once before summer and then again in fall. Bi-annual tune-ups will prepare your heat pump to maintain the ideal house temperature all year round.
Unlike heaters and ACs that are used in summers and winters, heat pumps work year-round and hardly get any breathing space. For this reason, it is especially important to stay on top of proper maintenance. Regular maintenance will keep your heat pump in good working condition so it can keep up with the weather shifts.
What’s Included in a Heat Pump Tune-up?
During a tune-up, your technician will perform the following steps and more.
- Check all electrical wiring and connections
- Inspect the coil and tubing for leaks or corrosion
- Check fan blades for balance
- Wash the outdoor coil
- Check the system’s charge
- Inspect compressor terminals
- Check line set insulation and UV protection
- Look for any code safety issues
Some Benefits of Regular Heat Pump Tune-ups
Enhanced Energy-efficiency
Heat pumps deteriorate over time. Age-related deterioration can affect your heat pump’s efficiency and it may start to become an energy vampire. Regular maintenance reduces wear and tear on different parts and even reverses its effects to a certain extent. A well-maintained heat pump consumes 10-25% less energy than a poorly maintained system.
Improves Reliability and Performance
A heat pump that is maintained periodically usually emits 40-60 decibels, which is lower than many household equipment such as the air conditioner and dishwasher.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air contains dust, dirt, pollen, dander, and other pollutants. Dust-laden air can cause respiratory problems and irritate the lungs, causing an asthma flare-up.
Not many people know that a heat pump can act as a dehumidifier, helping improve indoor air quality. Its filtration system filters out allergens and contaminants. Regular maintenance can reduce wear and tear on these parts, helping maintain their efficiency.
Preventive Maintenance Saves You Money
Some heat pump issues can go undetected for weeks, even months. In many cases, by the time homeowners understand the gravity of the situation, it’s too late and they end up with an expensive repair. If left unaddressed, a heat pump problem can cause irreversible damage and you might have to replace your system.
The objective of regular maintenance is to detect problems before they snowball into major issues. During a tune-up, your technician will check the different parts of your heat pump. They will repair or replace malfunctioning parts and lubricate the motors and other moving parts to reduce friction between them.
Many people consider regular maintenance a waste of time and money. Nothing could be further from the truth. Maintaining a heat pump costs much less than repairing it frequently. Those folks who consider saving a couple dollars on maintenance will be on the receiving end of a larger repair bill in due time.
Connolly Heating and Air Conditioning is one of the most trusted heating companies in Contra Costa County. We are your go-to team for HVAC repairs, installation, and maintenance. Our experience developing customized service packages to suit the unique needs of our clients gives us an edge over other competitors. To discuss your needs, call (925) 288-1408.
