Heat Pump Maintenance Tips

Most of us tend to take our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for granted. As long as they are working, it’s easy to go on day after day without thinking about them. But, like most other things, taking care of your HVAC system through regular maintenance is critical to keeping it in good working order. 

Many Missoula homeowners today have installed a heat pump to handle their heating and cooling needs. If you have a heat pump, you’ll want to be aware of some special considerations when it comes to regular maintenance. Our team at Design Air offers the following information and tips to help.

Heat Pump Basics

Let’s start with understanding a little bit about how a heat pump operates. Heat pumps are typically more popular in areas with milder temperatures. They operate by essentially moving heat from outside to inside in the winter and inside to outside in the summer.

Since heat pumps do not have to generate heat by consuming electricity, natural gas, propane, or another fuel, they are more energy efficient. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), heat pumps may reduce your electricity usage by nearly 50 percent when compared with furnaces or baseboard heating units.

Heat pump technology continues to develop, and high-efficiency units can now operate reasonably well in climates with more extreme temperatures.

Air Filter Changes

One of the easiest heat pump maintenance tasks you can perform is to change your air filter regularly. Just like in all HVAC systems, the air filter is responsible for cleaning the heated or cooled air before it’s delivered to the rooms of your Montana home. 

Clean air filters not only result in better air quality but also help your heat pump operate more efficiently. That means lower energy bills and a longer equipment life span. Our team at Design Air recommend replacing you 1”-2” filter every 4-6 weeks during the heavy heating and cooling seasons. If your system is using a wide media filter (4”-5” inches), then we recommend changing every 6 months. 

Proper Installation

Hopefully your heat pump was installed properly originally, but it’s not a bad idea to double check some important requirements. First, your heat pump should be at least four to six inches off the ground. This helps ensure the unit is not obstructed by the ground itself and allows for proper drainage. 

Second, your heat pump should not sit under a leaking gutter. If your gutter began to leak after your heat pump was installed, you may want to prioritize that repair for the sake of both your gutter and heat pump.

You should not install your heat pump where there is the potential for large amounts of snow to slide off a roof and damage the equipment. If considering building a shelter above your heat pump, make sure that the clearance is adequately spaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines. 

Provide Plenty of Room

If your heat pump gets covered in snow, ice, overgrown plants, or yard debris, it will malfunction. It’s a good idea to spend some time inspecting the area around your unit during every season.

Be sure to keep weeds, grass, and other nearby growth trimmed and out of the way. You’ll also want to clean things like fallen leaves, stray branches, or other yard debris that may gather on top of or under your heat pump. 

Be Gentle During Cleaning

If you want to wash off your heat pump in the warmer weather, be sure to use your garden hose, not a power washer. The fins on the heat pump coil are delicate, and a jet of water can easily damage them. At the same time, it’s important to keep the outside of your unit clean and free of dirt, cut grass, or other debris. Simply gently spraying water vertically down the outside of the unit can eliminate some of the buildup. Never spray water horizontally into the equipment itself. 

Rely on the Professionals Annually

Since heat pumps operate on a 240-volt circuit, they are extremely dangerous for amateurs to work on. It’s a good idea to have your unit inspected, professionally cleaned, and tuned up annually by one of our trained and certified HVAC professionals.

Our experienced technicians will inspect your entire heat pump system including ductwork, airflow, refrigerant charge, electric terminals, thermostat, and more. A regular maintenance call will go a long way in helping to keep your unit operating well all year long.

Contact Us for Your Heat Pump Needs

Our team at Design Air in Missoula, MT, is ready and waiting to help you with heat pump maintenance. Call us at 406-251-7997 or request service online today.