Maintenance Recommendations for Heat Pumps and Other Parts of Your HVAC System

Summer is the season of road trips, outdoor barbecues, beach vacations, and other family activities. The chills of winter are far from most people’s minds. Amidst the busyness that good weather brings, it is important to take the time to do the necessary at-home and professional maintenance to ensure that the heat pumps in your HVAC unit will able to keep all members of a household warm and toasty when winter strikes.
Outdoor temperatures in the Midwest region of the United States reached 30 degrees below zero just a couple winters back, and meteorologists have warned that this will not be an uncommon occurrence in the coming years. On arctic-like days such as those, the potential for detrimental consequences from the inability to provide a livable climate increases to a probability that most have no desire to flirt with.
Simple Maintenance Measures
Simple self-maintenance and responsible usage are easy ways any homeowner can guarantee they will be able to maintain an in-home climate that is comfortable and accessible when desired. Leaving the fan on an “automatic” setting not only saves money on the power bill and is more ecologically responsible but also lessens wear on the fan. Once a month, air filters need to be changed, so the compressor and heat pumps’ efficiency is at a maximum. Dirty coils should be wiped down, and debris around the unit needs to be removed. Anything the homeowner can do to keep both organic and inorganic material from entering the heating and cooling system will keep the condition better for an extended period.
Get An Inspection
An annual inspection by a professional is also a highly recommended step. The United States Department of Energy strongly encourages a licensed HVAC technician to perform a series of tests and steps, including measuring the accurate performance of airflow and refrigerant charge. While they are on the premises, the technician should also inspect the operation of the thermostat and the control of the electrics and the terminals. They should make sure while the heater is running, the coolant is being locked out of the system, and the reverse operation also is functioning properly.
Electric connections should be clean and tight, and they should administer a nonconductive coating on the connections if it so requires. Any leaks in the ducts and the refrigerant need to be sealed and repaired and the motors should be lubricated. Heat pumps, indoor coils, and blowers need to be inspected for anything that could block airflow and cause the unit to perform with less efficiency. Quick utilization of search engine research will yield a list of local HVAC technicians that should satisfy the Department of Energy’s recommendation.
Simple steps such as these require minimal effort and time. They are also surefire methods to ensuring a comfortable climate for all residents of a home.