Regular, professional maintenance is the best way to ensure that your heat pump has a long and efficient life, and that you benefit from a smoothly operating system with increased comfort and reduced energy bills. Therefore, with the cold winter months quickly approaching, it's imperative that you have an HVAC professional service your heat pump, and that you do so regularly each year. Otherwise, neglecting it could leave you in the cold – literally.
Steps You Can Take, And Those That A Professional Should Handle
Proper heat pump maintenance can be divided into two categories: maintenance that you can perform, and that which should only be done by a licensed expert.
Here are some of the steps you can take:
- Replace your air filter at least every one to three months, depending on the size of the filter and how dirty it is.
- Clear your outdoor unit of any debris or dirt that is on or around it.
- Clean the unit's coils – if accessible – thoroughly and regularly.
- Ensure that furniture, draperies and other objects are not blocking air registers. If airflow is impeded, it causes your system to work harder to push air, which causes your heat pump to wear down quicker or can cause a complete breakdown.
Here are the steps that a professional should do for you, as part of a regular maintenance visit:
- Thoroughly inspect your whole HVAC system to determine if any parts show noticeable deterioration or need replacing.
- Measure the airflow of your system.
- Locate and seal any air leaks.
- Lubricate all moving parts of your system, which drastically reduces friction and increases efficiency.
- Inspect your heat pump's thermostat to determine if it is accurate and working correctly.
- Check and tighten, if necessary, all electrical terminals and connections.
- Check refrigerant levels and charge to determine if it's at the correct level and working properly.
For more information on how to ensure that your heat pump is working optimally and efficiently, or to schedule a preventive maintenance appointment, contact the professionals at Joe Behr Plumbing and Heating.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, visit our website.
Joe Behr Plumbing and Heating, Inc. services the Mid-Ohio area.
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