How to maintain your heat pump

Heat pumps provide a cost-effective, energy-efficient way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While a properly sized and installed system should last at least 10 to 15 years, regular maintenance will extend your unit’s lifespan, as well as save money on energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, a well-maintained heat pump consumes anywhere from 10 to 25% less energy than a neglected one. 

Maintaining your heat pump actually requires few tools or special skills. It doesn’t even require much time; most systems only need a few minutes of maintenance and care per month – complemented by an annual professional service call – to remain reliable and efficient for years to come.

First and foremost, it’s important to make sure your heat pump is the right size for your living space. The capacity of your heat pump needs to make sense for your home because a system that's too big or too small can reduce energy efficiency and potentially increase maintenance costs. 

An experienced installer should know to use the “Manual J” formula to figure out the proper size for your heat pump. It’s crucial that your heat pump falls into the range for the Manual J formula because “proper load calculation, performed in accordance with the Manual J procedure, is required by national building codes and most state and local jurisdictions,” according to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Association.

Clean or replace indoor air filters

When it comes to indoor units, the most important thing you can do to keep your heat pump running efficiently is regularly clean or replace your indoor air filters. As dust and dirt build up on filters, proper airflow gets restricted. This makes your system work harder, resulting in decreased system efficiency, higher power bills, and additional stress on components such as fan motors and compressors.

How often you need to clean or swap out your air filters will vary depending on the air conditions in your home and factors like whether you have pets that shed. For washable filters like those commonly found in ductless mini-split systems, and for 1-inch disposable filters in ducted systems, plan to clean or change them monthly. Thicker 4- or 5-inch filters generally last six months before needing to be replaced. Plus, replacing the filters yourself can eliminate unnecessary repair calls to a professional. At least one third of all service calls can be fixed by replacing a dirty or clogged filter, according to feedback we hear from installers that use the EnergySage platform.

Keep the outdoor unit clean and free of snow, vegetation, and debris

Just like with your indoor unit, airflow is the name of the game for your outdoor unit. Any dirt, leaves, weeds, and other yard debris that block air from passing through your outdoor unit’s coils will impact both the efficiency of the system and longevity of its components, ultimately costing you more money through higher power bills or emergency repairs. 

A few times a year, or as you notice buildup, shut off the power to the outdoor unit and clean the coils and fins by gently rinsing them off with a garden hose.

For outdoor units, generally try to maintain 18 inches of clearance around your unit. This may require cutting back any weeds, bushes, flowers, or other vegetation that grows nearby. For those living in non-arid areas, this may require semi-regular checks during warm months when weeds and vines can spread and climb quickly.   During winter months, check that your outdoor units are clear of any significant snowfall or ice accumulation, which can also block airflow. If your unit does have a coating of snow or ice, you may need to temporarily power off the system, or set it  to “emergency heat,” while you gently brush the snow away or melt it by rinsing your unit with water.

Annual tune-up

Manufacturers and experts recommend professional service at least once a year. It may also be a condition of a system’s warranty. Think of this as a combination deep clean, tune-up, and safety check to ensure your system operates optimally for as long as possible. 

Professional technicians should thoroughly inspect and clean those harder to access components of your system like indoor coils, blower wheels, condensate drains, and the interior of the outdoor unit. They’ll measure airflow and refrigerant charge, and address any leaks. During the visit, they’ll also check other critical components of the system such as the electric terminals and wiring or fan belts, and replace them if necessary.

An annual heat pump maintenance visit can typically cost between $75 and $150. While it can be tempting to avoid spending money on professional maintenance when your system is working well, keep in mind it’s about preventing bigger, costlier repairs down the road (You’ll thank us when the heat doesn’t go out on Christmas morning and the A/C kicks in on that first hot day of the spring).

If you’ve been diligent about keeping your filters clean and you’ve double-checked the terms of any existing warranties, you might be able to take on more of the annual cleaning yourself and stretch out the time between professional tune-ups. At a minimum, this is what you’ll want to complete for yearly maintenance of your heat pump: 

• Inspect the electrical connections and fan belts

• Clean the condensate pan and drain line 

• Clean the interior of outdoor units and indoor coils

• Clean the blower wheel if you have a ductless system 

If you decide to do the annual cleanings yourself, you’ll still want a licensed professional to inspect the system every 2-3 years to check the refrigerant levels.

If the system isn’t adequately heating or cooling your home

If you notice that your formerly functioning system is no longer keeping your home as cool or warm as it once was, then it’s probably time to call in a licensed professional. Before you do, however, troubleshoot your system by checking for these three common and easily resolved issues: 

1. Check your thermostat: If you see a blank screen, try replacing the batteries. If it’s powered up, check the programming to ensure that your system is set to the proper heating or cooling mode.

2. Check your air filters and outdoor unit: Confirm the system is getting adequate airflow. Clean or replace if needed.

3. Check your condensate pump and drain: Ensure that there aren’t any clogs that shut off the system. Clean the drain by flushing ¼ cup of bleach or vinegar followed by 2 cups of water.