The heat pump in your Ohio home requires occasional maintenance, just like any other heating or cooling system. Maintenance tasks may be divided between those a homeowner can perform, and those that require professional attention.
Homeowner’s Maintenance Tasks
As with any heating or cooling system, change or clean the filter once a month, or as needed. Before you perform any tasks, turn the power to the heat pump off. Then do the following:
- Twice a year (spring and fall), check the outdoor coils and if dirty, clean the fins gently with condenser cleaner or warm water and soap. When rinsing them off, do not use high pressure. Clean the fan also if is dirty.
- To promote good airflow, clear vegetation, debris and other obstacles away from the outdoor unit. Remove any debris that has fallen inside the metal cage that protects the outdoor unit.
- Make sure the unit is sitting level, on a stone or concrete bed.
- A heat pump’s normal cycling may involve a small amount of ice on the outdoor coil, but if you notice the heat pump is “growing” excessive ice, call for repair.
- Keep ice and snow from piling up around the unit. You can use warm water to remove ice and snow, but don’t try to pry ice off with sharp objects.
- In the winter, check the resistance heat strips used in auxiliary heating mode for cleanliness and proper operation.
Professional Maintenance Tasks
Schedule a professional technician to perform the following tasks:
- Inspect and clean the blower and indoor coil.
- Check ductwork to ensure proper airflow and for signs of leakage.
- Check the refrigerant charge. If it’s low, check for leaks and repair the unit.
- Inspect electrical connections, tightening or replacing them as necessary.
- Inspect and tighten belts; lubricate motors.
- Check controls and thermostat settings for correct operation.
Want to learn more about how to maintain your heat pump so that it operates more efficiently? Contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning, serving Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties for more than 35 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area