Knowing your heat pump maintenance is in top shape with no signs of trouble. After all, nobody wants to experience a system breakdown. Comfort Design understands how important it is for your heat pump to operate at its greatest capacity. You depend on your system for comfort, and it’s our mission to help you achieve this. So whether you need to keep warm or cool down, we are here to help. A heat pump offers both the heating and cooling you need for optimal indoor comfort, but keeping up with routine maintenance is critical for it to remain in peak condition.
What Are The Main Parts Of A Heat Pump?
- Reversing valves change the flow of refrigerant, which will determine if your interior space is cooling or heating.
- Thermostatic expansion valves regulate the flow of refrigerant, just like a faucet valve regulates the flow of water.
- The accumulator is a reservoir that adjusts the refrigerant charge depending on seasonal needs.
- Refrigeration lines and pipes connect the inside and outside equipment.
- Heat strips are an electric heat element that are used for auxiliary heat. A component that adds heat on cold days or helps recover from lower set back temperatures rapidly.
- Ducts serve as air tunnels to the various areas of your space.
- Thermostat or the control systems set your desired temperature.
- Compressor moves refrigerant through two sets of coils.
Heat Pump Maintenance Tips
Clean Your Heat Pump and Surrounding Area Carefully
Keep the area where your outdoor unit is located as clear as possible. Mow the surrounding grass and trim any hedges, shrubs, or other plants that are nearby. Ideally, your heat pump should have a clearance of at least a couple of feet on each side for efficient airflow.
Have an annual checkup
An HVAC technician can check the entire system and see if there are any leaks or other problems that need to be addressed. This helps the system to work more efficiently, and also prolongs its life. Heat pumps work best in moderate climates. They are not the best option in very cold areas that require significant heating for long periods.
Stay on Top of Problems and Schedule Safety Inspections
Flush the indoor condensate pan and drain in the spring before using the air conditioning. This is extremely important if the unit is above or in a finished living area, but should really be done by a trained service technician.
While you can perform some maintenance tasks on your own, there’s no greater peace of mind than knowing a heating and cooling professional has evaluated your heat pump.
