Your heat pump is a fantastic choice for maintaining a cozy home throughout the seasons! However, with great power comes great responsibility, and every heat pump requires routine maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.
This process involves steps that you can take at home on a regular basis. Plus an annual maintenance appointment with Kings Refrigeration & Air Conditioning to ensure your heat pump will run smoothly for you for years to come!
What You Can Do at Home for Maximum Efficiency:
Clean Your Air Filters:
Let's kick off with the basics—air filters. These unsung heroes are crucial to your heat pump's efficiency, so check them routinely to keep them clean of dirt, hair, and other debris. We recommend that you take them out and give them a good clean every 1 - 3 months minimum (depending on the environment in your home). If you have pets, smoke in your home, or suffer from allergies, you might need to increase the cleaning frequency. Clogged filters can strain your system and make it less effective, so be sure to keep them clean!
Check Your Thermostat Settings:
Double-check that your thermostat or remote is in the correct mode—heating or cooling—depending on the season. We recommend avoiding using “auto” mode, and consider using manual mode to reduce additional strain on your heat pump and potentially contribute to premature breakdowns.
We recommend you change your remote batteries once annually. When the batteries are low it will not send strong enough signals to the unit and it may lead you to believe there is an issue with the unit.
Keep Your Outdoor Unit Free From Debris at All Times:
Consistently ensure the outdoor unit is free of debris (snow, ice, leaves, or grass clippings). Keep shrubs pruned back at least 18 inches from all sides of the heat pump to allow for proper airflow and servicing. Give the outdoor unit a spray with the hose now & then to rinse away any dust and dirt - be sure the breaker is turned off before spraying!
During periods of heavy snowfall, it is the owners’ responsibility to ensure snow under the stand/wall brackets is a minimum of 8 inches from the bottom of the unit and all snow is cleared at least 2 feet surrounding the unit to allow the unit to breathe properly.
Yearly Checks From a Qualified Kings Technician:
Once a year, we recommend that you give Kings Refrigeration & Air Conditioning a call to schedule a routine maintenance appointment. During this checkup, the technician will inspect the following areas and ensure maximum efficiency:
Outdoor Unit:
The technician will take a close look at the coil and cabinet of the outdoor unit, and clean them if necessary. They will check for any obstructions in your ducts, vents, and grills, as well as the drainage of the outdoor unit. They will also check the refrigerant levels and inspect the security of the electrical connections to the system.
Indoor Unit:
For a ductless unit, the technician will disassemble your indoor unit to ensure the coil is completely clean and free of any mold and debris. For a ducted system, the technician will test the thermostat to ensure your thermostat responds correctly and maintains the desired indoor temperature. They will check your air filters and see if it’s time for new filters.
Maintaining your heat pump is a simple yet crucial endeavor to ensure consistent warmth and comfort in your home. By incorporating these tips into your routine, you're not just maintaining a machine - you're preserving the reliability of a warm and comfortable home year-round.
If it’s been more than 12 months since your last service appointment, please reach out to Kings Refrigeration & Air Conditioning to schedule your annual maintenance appointment today!