Heat pumps provide an incredibly efficient way to heat and cool your Edgewater, MD, home. A heat pump is an investment for your house, so it’s important to do everything possible to extend its lifespan. Consider these six simple tips that can easily help your system run more efficiently and extend its service life:
Ensure the Heat Pump Filter Is Clean
One of the best things you can do to help extend your system’s life is to keep the filter clean. If you have a central heat pump, this means replacing it periodically.
Your 1- and 2-inch filters typically need replacing every 30 to 90 days. Your home’s air quality, the filter’s construction and how you use the system will affect the filter’s life.
Larger filters may last several months to a year depending on their size. Ideally, check your filter every month to prevent accidental neglect.
If you have a ductless mini-split, your individual air handlers have washable air filters. Wash them at least every two weeks, giving them plenty of time to dry before reinstalling them. You may plan to clean one or two a week to keep part of the system running at all times.
Clear Around Your Outdoor Unit
A heat pump relies on its ability to absorb and vent heat from the air inside and outside. Regardless, it must effectively move air through the outdoor unit throughout the year, so the unit must remain clear.
Most manufacturers recommend keeping at least two feet of clearance around the unit and five feet above it clear. If you have a side-vented unit, keep five feet clear on the venting side. Things to check include weeds, grass, brush, tree branches, and landscaping architecture and decorations.
Effectively Manage Your Temperature
With traditional furnaces and AC systems, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends using thermostat programs to reduce the energy you use. However, with a heat pump, the recommendation is to keep it set at a consistent temperature while in heating mode. The DOE recommends setting the temperature around 68 degrees for the winter.
A heat pump essentially acts as an air conditioner over the summer. This allows you to use programs to help reduce your system’s wear. Plan to set the temperature 7 to 10 degrees warmer while you’re away at work.
Keep Your Supply Vents Open and Clear
Your heat pump relies on air pressure to circulate conditioned air throughout your home. It should create positive air pressure at the supply vents and negative air pressure at the return vents.
Closed or blocked vents prevent conditioned air from circulating. This leads to longer heating and cooling cycles. Open each vent and ensure it has at least six inches clear above and around it.
Schedule Routine Heat Pump Maintenance
One of the best ways to minimize your system’s wear is to schedule routine annual heat pump maintenance. Depending on your system, the manufacturer will recommend one or two maintenance visits each year.
During each visit, a service technician cleans the system, tightens electrical connections/mounting hardware and runs a series of tests. These tests focus on making sure every component is operating within optimal parameters. It’s this testing that often uncovers minor problems you may not have noticed yet.
Perform Minor Repairs Quickly
When one HVAC component isn’t operating optimally, it adds strain and wear to all the other components in the system. Left long enough, this excess wear can shorten the lifespan of your entire system.
If your maintenance service technician uncovers any parts that need replacing, have them replaced quickly. Letting it linger until extreme summer or winter temperatures arrive risks further wear.
With just a little effort, you can extend the service life of your heat pump. Call today to schedule your repair or maintenance visit with one of the expert service technicians at Coastal Heating & Air Conditioning Co., Inc.
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