Is your home equipped with a heat pump? In the Southeast, heat pumps have become a popular type of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. They are designed to move heat into and out of a home’s indoor space, thus warming or cooling the home respectively. For optimal performance, though, you’ll need to maintain your home’s heat pump.
#1) Replace the Air Filter
All HVAC systems have an air filter, and heat pumps are no exception. Air must travel through the filter in your heat pump before it reaches the outdoor unit. If the filter is dirty, less air will reach the outdoor unit, meaning less heating and cooling power. Your heat pump will perform better if you replace the air filter once every few months.
#2) Clean the Coils
You should clean your heat pump’s coils on a regular basis as well. Heat pumps still have an evaporator coil and a condenser coil, and refrigerant travels through these coils just like it does in an air conditioning system. If either of these coils are dirty, they won’t be able to effectively exchange heat.
#3) Ensure Drainage Around Outdoor Unit
When inspecting the area around your heat pump’s outdoor unit, make sure it’s adequately drained. The outdoor unit contains the condenser coil. Refrigerant will travel to the outdoor unit where it either releases or collects heat. If the area around isn’t properly drained, however, it will sit in a puddle of water. The condenser coil may then fail to release or collect heat.
#4) Check Condensate Drain
Don’t forget to check your heat pump’s condensate drain. Most heat pumps have a drainage system underneath the evaporator coil. As the evaporator coil transfers heat with the assistance of refrigerant, condensation will form on it. The condensate drain below will catch this condensation and flush it to your home’s exterior. If this drainage system is clogged, water will accumulate below the evaporator coil.
#5) Get an Annual Inspection
There’s no substitution for a professional inspection. Heat pumps are complex systems. While you might be able to perform some basic maintenance on your heat pump, such as changing the air filter and cleaning the coils, other forms of maintenance require professional expertise. By getting your heat pump inspected by a professional at least once a year, you can catch problems early so that they don’t lead to bigger and more expensive problems down the road.
