At full capacity, your heat pump can often provide as much as four times the energy it burns in electricity. But if you don’t care for your heat pump properly, you may waste money in energy costs. In fact, neglected systems can see their efficiency reduced by as much as 25 percent. If you want to get a good 10 to 15 years out of your heat pump and enjoy long-lasting energy savings, routine professional maintenance is something you can’t afford to ignore.
As an Ohio homeowner, there are several aspects of heat-pump maintenance that you can do to maximize your system’s efficiency:
- Change filters – Inspect your filters monthly. If dirt and debris have built up, cleaning may be necessary. In cases where cleaning won’t suffice, simply change the filter (this should be done every one to three months on average). Routine filter maintenance will ensure proper airflow and improve the efficiency of your entire system.
- Keep registers open – If you have items blocking air returns and registers, your heat pump can’t be expected to do its job effectively. Obstructions can cause pressure issues, restrict airflow and cause excess dust to buildup in your ducts near blocked registers/returns.
- Clean your coils and blower – If you allow dirt and debris to build up on coils or your blower, your heat pump will struggle. This can lead to otherwise unnecessary repairs and high energy costs.
In addition to the tasks you can perform yourself, it’s important to schedule annual heat-pump maintenance at the beginning of both the heating and cooling seasons. Having a trained technician assess the condition of your system ensures that smaller issues are addressed before they can cause you trouble, which means that you can rest easier knowing that your system will perform efficiently for the entire season.
Here are a few items that a professional addresses during heat-pump maintenance:
- Airflow
- Belts
- Ductwork
- Electrical connections
- Motor lubrication
- System controls
- Thermostat accuracy
For more information on extending the life of your heat pump through preventive maintenance, contact our trained technicians at Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing services Western Cleveland. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!
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