A heat pump is a versatile heating and cooling system installed at your home. A heat pump can either heat or cool a home, so you don’t need to install separate units. According to Statista, 3.42 million air-source heat pumps were installed in the US in 2020.
Heat pumps use a refrigerant to transfer heat and are powered by electricity. The most common type of heat pump is an air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your home and the outside air. Your electricity bill can be reduced by up to 50% by using a heat pump, making them very efficient.
Installing a heat pump is an economical alternative to an AC unit or a furnace. However, most homeowners don’t maintain them regularly. Lack of maintenance can result in damage to your heat pump.
Let’s take a look at the importance of maintaining your heat pump, and what you can do to take care of it.
The Importance of Maintaining Your Heat Pump
- Longer lifetime
- Energy efficiency
- The removal of bacteria and bad odors
- Improved comfort
When You Should Service Your Heat Pump
A good rule of thumb is to service your heat pump about a month before you need it. If you’re using your pump for cooling, get it serviced before summer starts, and vice versa if using the pump for heating.
If your electricity bill has increased recently without any known reason, it could be because your heat pump is not working properly and it needs to be serviced. Proper servicing can allow your heat pump to last up to 15 years.
How to Maintain a Heat Pump
The filters of your heat pump should be cleaned every month. This is because dust, debris, and other small particles can clog the inside of the filter over time and affect the efficiency of your heat pump. For your heat pump to work at optimal efficiency, regular clean-up is advised. You can hire a professional to clean the filters, or you can do this yourself.
How to clean your heat pump filters yourself at home:
- Before you begin to clean, switch off your heat pump.
- Follow the maintenance instructions on the manual.
- Remove the front panel and air filter of your unit.
- Clean with a small brush.
- Rinse with warm water after cleaning.
- After cleaning, leave filters in a shaded area to dry.
Your heat pump also needs to be serviced at least once a year. For that, you should hire a technician. The technician will clean and sanitize the coils, check for leaks, drain the pipes, and check filters. They will also inspect the system’s electrical circuit and the general operation of your heat pump to ensure everything is working properly.
The Consequences of Not Maintaining a Heat Pump
If your heat pump is neglected, it could wear down to the point it malfunctions. This could cost a lot of money to repair, or worse, you may have to purchase a completely new system.
Risks of not maintaining your heat pump:
Damage to the Compressor
To keep the compressor running, you need adequate airflow. If the filters are not properly cleaned, debris, dust and other materials inside could damage the compressor.
Decreased Efficiency
The difference between the energy consumption of a well-maintained heat pump and a severely neglected one ranges from 10% to 25%. This could lead to an increase in your electricity bill as the system is not working properly. If your heat pump doesn’t have proper airflow because of neglect, this can also decrease efficiency and even damage the compressor.
If you’re looking for a heat pump company in Portland with excellent quality heat pumps, then look no further than All Solar Energy Solutions. Our highly qualified staff is here to meet your needs. We offer standardized and competitively-priced solutions for your heat pump.
Additionally, we provide generator services and services related to mini split installation in Portland, Brunswick and Topsham. You can contact us today and get a free estimate, and our experts will reach out to you in no time. For more information, call us at (207)536-5935.