A heat pump is an energy-efficient option for heating and cooling in the Indianapolis area, and with summer approaching, maintenance is essential to keep your heat pump running efficiently. When one considers that heating and cooling is by far the greatest energy expense in most homes, a little spring heat pump maintenance makes good sense.
The difference in energy use between a well-maintained heat pump and a neglected heat pump ranges from 10-25 percent. There are several easy maintenance tasks you can do yourself, including changing the filters once a month, or as needed. You can also turn the power off to your heat pump and clean it when it appears dirty, removing vegetation and debris from the outdoor unit, cleaning the supply and return registers, and removing dirt from the outdoor coils.
Some heat pump maintenance requires the assistance of a professional technician. Having your heat pump professionally serviced at least once a year – preferably in springtime – provides several benefits, including increased efficiency and a longer lifespan for your heat pump. Here are a few maintenance tasks a technician should carry out:
- Check the blower, filters, coils and ductwork for dirt and obstructions.
- Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten the connections and apply a nonconductive coating if necessary.
- Investigate and seal duct leaks.
- Lubricate the motor.
- Inspect belts for wear and proper tightness.
- Measure and adjust the air flow across the evaporator coil.
- Measure the refrigerant charge and check for refrigerant leaks, repairing any that are found.
- Inspect the thermostat to verify proper operation.
- Verify that the electric control sequence is correct so that the heating and cooling system cannot operate simultaneously.
For more information on heat pump maintenance, and for all your HVAC needs, contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We provide expert service with more than 40 years of experience in the Indianapolis area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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