Heat pumps are known for being highly efficient and delivering exceptional indoor comfort. With regular heat pump maintenance, you can extend the life of the heat pump in your Trussville, Alabama, home as well as further increase its efficiency. For maximum comfort and energy savings, make sure to implement the following heat pump maintenance tips.
Check the Supply Registers
As air flows across the evaporator coil on a heat pump, it facilitates heat exchange. Reduced airflow can lead to ice accumulation on the evaporator coil, which will eventually block the unit’s ability to exchange heat. To keep this from happening, it’s important to inspect the supply registers in each room throughout your home. Make sure the registers aren’t obstructed by curtains or any furnishings to allow unimpeded airflow.
Inspect the Return Vents
You should also inspect the return vents in each room for obstructions. In rooms where there aren’t any return vents, make sure the doors stay open in those rooms at all times. This helps circulate air more evenly throughout the entire home.
Upgrade the Thermostat
Install a programmable or smart thermostat that is designed to work with a heat pump. With a programmable thermostat, it becomes simple to increase energy savings. You can set the thermostat to kick on according to your schedule rather than having it set and stay at one setting. With a smart thermostat, you can adjust the thermostat remotely from your smartphone, which allows to you make adjustments if your plans change while you’re out. Some smart thermostats use algorithms to learn your heating and cooling preferences to create maximum efficiency.
Change the Air Filter
One of the easiest ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a heat pump is to change the air filter on a regular basis. The type of air filter you use will determine how often to change it. Filters with high MERV ratings do an excellent job at capturing even the tiniest of particles. As a result, they tend to get dirty very quickly. Make sure you don’t exceed the manufacturer’s recommended MERV rating for your HVAC’s filter.
The best way to tell whether to change an air filter is to hold it up toward the light. If no light passes through it, then this means it is clogged with dirt, dust, and other harmful airborne particles. Changing the filter will not only increase your home’s efficiency but will also improve indoor air quality, which is a major benefit to your health.
Clean Around the Outdoor Unit
It’s important that the heat pump’s outdoor unit be free of vegetation and debris. If any shrubs or trees are covering part of the outdoor unit, it can lead to a range of problems. First and foremost, the leaves from the vegetation can get inside of the unit and cause damage. Secondly, vegetation near the unit can restrict airflow. This will cause the heat pump to consume excessive amounts of energy as it tries to keep your home at your desired temperature. Consuming excessive energy adds unnecessary wear and tear to the system and will increase your cooling expenses.
After removing all vegetation and debris from around the outdoor unit, you can gently spray it off with a water hose. You should do this once a season. To clean the inside of the unit, you’ll need to contact Total Comfort Heating & Air. One of our certified heat pump technicians can clean the unit for you. Don’t try cleaning the inside of the unit yourself as you may cause damage or get injured.
Invest in Regular Professional Maintenance
Along with cleaning the inside of the heat pump’s outdoor unit, a technician can perform a variety of other maintenance tasks. During a maintenance appointment, the technician will check electrical relays, inspect condensate drainage, and check the unit’s refrigerant level. The coils and piping on the unit will be inspected for leaks, as well. Furthermore, the technician will inspect your home’s ductwork for separations, holes, and other damage. Repairing and cleaning ductwork is a common task involved in heat pump maintenance.
To learn more about heat pump maintenance tips that improve comfort and efficiency, contact Total Comfort Heating & Air at (205) 386-2056. Call us today to schedule your next maintenance session.
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