If you have a central heating and cooling system in your house, you also have heat pump. They are responsible for maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home throughout the year. They become even more important in winters. It is important to maintain these appliances in a healthy condition to get the most from them.
Moreover, maintaining these appliances is also important to gain energy efficiency and save up on your energy bills. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to spot problems and issues in heat pumps, even the hidden ones, and get them repaired. Your heat pumps work hard and need regular maintenance; hiring a professional for maintenance and repairs can increase their functionality and ensure proper care.
If you want your heat pump to function correctly and meet your expectations in winter especially, you should make sure they are ready for winter work both functionally and physically. The article below explains how you can take care of your heat pump and make it ready for winter.
Schedule A Heat Pump Tune-up
Your heat pump works throughout the year; you should schedule a tune-up for it twice a year, even if it is working just fine. The best time for these tune-ups is just before seasonal changes. It is even important to tune your heat pump before the onset of winter, as there are ample chances that the pump develops some problems, blockages during the past cooling months.
Your heat pump has a backup furnace that is only used in winters. You need to get it tuned and checked before using it, so don’t delay this maintenance activity and schedule the pump tuning by a professional as soon as possible.
Know The Thermostat Of Your Heat Pump
Thermostats of most modern heat pumps have three options, heat, cool, and emergency heat. When you want to use a pump to warm up your house, you are supposed to set the thermostat at heat, not on emergency heat.
Remember that the emergency heat option is for use only when your heat pump is broken, malfunctioning, or covered with ice. In emergency heat mode, only the backup furnace is used to produce heat as at that time your pump is being repaired or defrosting.
If the temperature gets too low for your heat pump to manage, emergency heat mode is switched on automatically; you don’t have to do it manually. You can always turn to the user manual of your pump to know more about its thermostat settings.
Change Your Air Filter
Perhaps one of the most important tasks you have as a heat pump user is to change its air filters regularly. Clogged or dirty air filters can block the air passage in your system. This means it will take more time to reach the specified temperature, consuming more energy. It translates to an increase in your energy bills along with all sorts of potential operating problems.
Remove Branches And Debris From Outside Unit
Different from conventional heating and cooling systems, a heat pump uses its outer during the winter system. As the temperature drops, dry leaves start falling, and branches of the trees can break off and can be lodged in the outer fan of your unit. Make sure to clear any debris that you notice building up near your outdoor unit, especially during seasonal transitions.
This maintenance activity is needed regularly and does not involve any extensive time, dedication, or money.
Keep Your Heat Pump Away From Gutters
The placement of the unit is just as important as its correct functionality. Make sure your outdoor unit is not placed under leaky gutters or any open shingle. As when the temperature drops significantly, like in heavy winters in Vancouver, the dripping water from the gutters can cause it to freeze on your heat pump. As the amount of mist and ice increases, the pump switches on its defrosting mechanism.
Switching to emergency settings frequently can have a toll on the functionality of your heat pump and can obstruct airflow permanently. The last thing you want to do in winter is to wait for pump repairs while sitting in an ice-cold house. The experience can be daunting.
Therefore, it is better to place your outdoor units away from gutters at some elevation allowing the rainwater or melted snow to drain off without damaging it.
Conclusion
No one ever wants to deal with malfunctioning heating appliances in the midst of heavy winters. Therefore, it is better to perform the required repairs and maintenance activities beforehand. The onset of fall is the best time to get your pump prepared for the winter season with the help of professional help.
