Understanding Heat Pumps: Installation and Maintenance

Last Updated on November 17, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford

A heat pump is a device that will take the warm air from one place and move it to another. It transfers thermal energy using a refrigeration cycle. This will cool the cool space and warm the warm space.

Heat pumps can be installed and maintained by HVAC companies. One that can do this is DT Air Conditioning & Heating of Allen, a company that has been around for many years. They can help you to learn more about heat pumps if you need information.

  • DT Air Conditioning & Heating of Allen
  • 1311 Grapevine Dr, Allen, TX 75002
  • 972-573-9191
  • https://www.dt-ac.com/ac-repair-allen-tx/

This article will help you to learn what it takes to maintain a pump. It will let you know some of the things that you should do to keep it in good working order. You can also do more research to get the information you need.

Maintaining Your Heat Pump

Clean or Change Filters

You need to clean your filters once a month and replace them when necessary. They should be replaced at least once every three or four months: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=257560. This will help your pump run more efficiently.

Read Manufacturer’s Instructions

You should read the manufacturer’s instructions to see how to correctly maintain your system. They will give you clear instructions on what you should do. They will also tell you when you should hire a professional to do the work for you.

Clean Outdoor Coils

Whenever the outdoor coils appear dirty it is time to clean them. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to get all the dust. Then use a mild detergent and water solution and a soft cloth to wipe them clean. You can use a soft brush to scrub the stubborn areas.

Clean the Fan

Turn off the power and clean the fan. Use the same technique that you used for the coils. Make sure that you are careful and are not scrubbing too hard to remove the dirt.

Remove Clutter

Remove all clutter and vegetation from around the outdoor unit. Cut back any trees or bushes that might have leaves that will fall into them. This clutter will cause your pump to not run efficiently.

Clean Registers

You will also want to clean all the registers, both supply and return registers. You can do this using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment. See more about that here. You can also gently straighten any fins that might be bent.

Do not Set Back the Thermostat Too Far

Do not set back the heat pump thermostat back if it will cause the backup heat to come on. This will be more expensive than just using the pump. Keep the thermostat set at a temperature that is comfortable for you.

Use the “Auto” Setting on the Thermostat

Use the auto setting so that the heat pump will cycle off and on. If you do not use this setting, you will cause your pump to fail prematurely. You need a high-efficiency, variable-speed fan to prevent this from happening.

Consider a Programmable Thermostat

Install a programmable thermostat or have a professional install one for you. It should have multi-stage functions and should be made for a heat pump. If you do not know how to do it yourself, you should have a professional do it for you.

Practice Caution While Cleaning

Use extreme caution when cleaning the pump so that you do not damage it. If you have snow and ice on it, pour warm water over it to melt it. Do not use any sharp objects because this will damage it. Call a professional if you have any questions about cleaning it.

cleaning pump

Conclusion

There are many things that you can do to maintain your heat pump. You do not want to damage it, so be careful when you clean it. There are things that you can do on your own, and some things that may require a professional.

You want to make sure that your heat pump is well maintained so that it works more efficiently. This will also save you time and money in the long run. You will be comfortable all year long if it is well-maintained.