Heat Pump Maintenance
Why Is Heat Pump Maintenance Important?
A good maintenance plan will include a thorough check of the refrigeration system, the electrical system, the heat pump controls, and the air filter system of the heat pump. Heat pump maintenance is as important as maintenance on your vehicle. If we fail to take good care of our vehicle then it is more prone to breakdowns whereas if we keep it in good condition with proper maintenance it is more reliable and repairs usually cost less when repairs are needed. Of course, if you take good care of the heat pump with regular maintenance major repairs will likely never occur and it is possible you will repair free with a good maintenance plan in place for your heat pump. Basic maintenance adds life to the equipment, keeps the equipment running longer adding to the lifespan, and during the overall life will keep the heat pump more efficient.
Basic Maintenance – The Basic Checks
- Check motors, capacitors, and lubricate motors as necessary.
- Check amp draws (current) for all electrical loads in the system to make sure readings are normal for electrical loads. Any abnormal readings out of range from normal will indicate a possible bad component or a motor that will fail soon.
- Check electrical connections. Loose electrical connections can be big problems in the future including being a fire hazard.
- A check of heat pump components including the reversing valve the defrost cycle.
- Inspects auxiliary heating system to ensure heat pump will continue heat while in defrost mode.
- Refrigerant level check.
- Check ductwork for airtight integrity.
- Inspect crankcase heater on the compressor
- Test all safety controls for the heat pump system
- Make maintenance or repair recommendations to keep the system running reliably and smoothly over the course of the season.
Basic Maintenance – Additional Checks
Additionally, if dirty coils are found with the heat pump equipment, then the technician should clean the coils. That is for proper maintenance restores the
coils to their original condition. Dirty condenser coils on a heat pump will cause both heating and cooling problems for the heat pump system. Conditions that result in dirty condenser coils include grass clippings from mowing the lawn, duct, and dirt, and trash.
These things need to be removed from the heat pump coils. It is a part of an essential maintenance service for any heat pump maintenance. Additionally, bushes and shrubs trimmed and kept from impeding any airflow around the heat pump condenser, anything that will affect the efficiency of the heat pump condenser coils and moving air through the coils.
Evaporator coils should also get a spot check for anything that will inhibit airflow across the heat pump evaporator coil. Dirty coils can result from bad ductwork, especially the return duct or by not properly maintaining and keeping a filter in the system.
Additionally, the HVAC technician should always advise the homeowner about properly maintaining their heat pump system. That helps to prevent common failures and to keep the coils clean. That goes with good service and lets the consumer know that the HVAC technician has their best interest in my mind.
Other problems related to regular basic maintenance include checking to see if the system is low on a refrigerant charge. That means the heat pump system has a refrigerant leak, and it needs to be repaired. The refrigerant leak must first be found.
Maintenance of Heat Pumps – Regular maintenance will save you a lot of money in the long run
Contact Us online now or Call us at 704-820-6480 to schedule maintenance in Charlotte, Cornelius, Gastonia, Mount Holly, Belmont, Denver, Davidson, Waxhaw, Mooresville, Harrisburg, Indian Trail, Matthews, Concord and the surrounding areas!