Best Practices for Optimal Heat Pump Operation and Maintenance

If you have a heat pump cooling and heating your Frankford, DE area home, you’ll get a lot more out of the system if it’s operated correctly and maintained on a regular basis. Following are some tips for proper operation, as well as heat pump maintenance.

Heat Pump Operation

Even though an air-source heat pump is a high-efficiency system, if you’re not operating it properly, you can leave a lot of energy savings on the table. For example, try to avoid increasing the system’s thermostat temperature too much in the winter. This will trigger the pump’s auxiliary power, typically an electric resistance heater, to kick on and waste energy. It’s better to increase the temperature incrementally.

DIY Maintenance

Correct maintenance of your heat pump requires a mixture of do-it-yourself and professional maintenance. Most homeowners have no trouble with basic maintenance, including inspecting the air filter monthly and changing it as needed, removing obstructions from indoor vents and registers, and making sure leaves, sticks and other yard debris aren’t blocking airflow to the outside compressor unit.

Professional Maintenance

You’ll want to schedule annual (or semi-annual if you use your heat pump for both cooling and heating) heat pump maintenance. The technician will conduct checks, adjustments and other tasks to make sure your system is ready to operate optimally through the coming season. Among those steps:

• Inspect and clean all components, including the indoor and outdoor coils. A dirty refrigerant coil can’t properly complete the heat-exchange process that’s essential to heat pump operation.
• Lubricate all mechanical parts, including motors inside and outside.
• Check the refrigerant level and fill to the recommended level. If the refrigerant is low, inspect the coils and lines for leaks.
• Adjust system airflow, and check the air filter and ducts.
• Check all electrical wiring and connections; clean and tighten if necessary. Apply non-conductive coating.
• Make sure the thermostat is working properly and that the homeowner knows how to program and/or operate it.

Learn more about Custom Mechanical’s heat pump maintenance, or contact us today at 877-696-0808 to schedule service for HVAC equipment in Bethany Beach, Fankford, Gerogetown, Millsboro and the surrounding communities.