Heat Pump Maintenance

You should generally have your heat pump serviced by a pro once a year, and the best time to schedule that is just before it will really need to work for you—in the heating or cooling season, depending on your climate. When that experienced technician pays your system a visit, he or she will give all the crucial parts a good going-over and see to any potential problem areas. You might think of this as a kind of not-quite-annual-but-critically-timed tune-up. Not only does such a service keep things from going haywire in an unexpected way, but it also, we think, helps extend the lifespan of the pump itself.

There are many simple maintenance tasks that a homeowner can perform to keep their heat pump in prime working condition. Keeping the air filters clean or replaced every 1 to 3 months is one of the most vital undertakings. Next, the outdoor unit needs to be kept free of all sorts of debris, and not only during the fall when the leaves are coming down. A clear space of at least 2 feet around the outdoor unit is very important, so that the heat pump can perform efficiently without any back pressure. Then there are the drain line and the coils; these might be more involved but really should be checked on a regular basis.

If your heat pump is trying to tell you something, the first thing to pay attention to is the noise it's making. If you hear grinding, squealing, or banging coming from the heat pump, you'd be wise to call in a pro. Reduced performance in terms of either heating or cooling, energy bills that are much higher than normal, on-off cycling that's more frequent than you'd expect, and visible ice buildup on the outdoor unit are all warning signs that your unit needs attention. And then there's the not-so-nice issue of odors; strange smells when the heat pump is running could just be mold, but they could also signal something more serious.

Begin with the basics to boost heat pump efficiency: Keep the thermostat set at a consistent temperature, and don't make it work harder by asking for a heat-up (or a cool-down) when it's really not necessary. The average heat pump runs at about 300 to 400 percent efficiency, meaning it delivers three to four times more energy in the form of heat (or cool) than it consumes. But in order for the system to keep delivering those kinds of numbers, it has to be well-kept. That means routine filter changes and an overall plan that not only keeps underelements clean but also ensures that the clear path necessary for airflow is maintained from heater to room.

Typically, heat pumps have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but several factors can cause them to fall short of that range. The most significant factor appears to be customer neglect in the form of a lack of professional maintenance. Heavy usage tends to dig into the system's longevity as well, though it's not such a huge factor because, for most setups, proper maintenance and sufficiently heavy usage still give the system a 10 to 15 year life. Inadequate maintenance allows dirt to build up inside the heat pump, significantly harming efficiency and durability, and that scenario seems to be far more common than too much use or an unfortunate climate.

It's easy to clean heat pump filters, and you should do it every 1-3 months. First, switch off the system and find the filter, which is normally near the indoor air handler. Take out the filter and vacuum it or rinse it with water. Just don't use enough force to damage the filter. Let it dry completely (again, don't use enough force here that you damage the filter). Then, put the filter back in the correct orientation. If you have disposable filters, make sure you get new filters that are the same size and type before you put them back in.

Contemporary heat pumps usually utilize the refrigerant R-410A. The refrigerant replaced R-22, an older refrigerant that was found to be a danger to the environment and was heavily regulated. "Unlike R-22, which was phased out because it contained ozone-depleting chemicals, R-410A is much more environmentally friendly," said HVAC instructor Rick Dwyer. Handling R-410A, however, brings with it some challenges. The refrigerant operates at much higher pressures than R-22, and its high pressure means that much more care has to be taken in using the refrigerant. For this reason, only certified HVAC professionals should be working with R-410A in your heat pump.

Make sure your heat pump has good airflow and is not blocked by snow, ice, or debris. When the ambient temperature is below about 27°F (-3°C), the unit should be working as a defroster. If the unit is not properly defrosting, poor installation, a defective control board, defective temperature sensors, or low refrigerant could be the cause. Look for other signs that the heat pump needs professional service, such as unusual noises or the presence of frost on the lines leading into or out of the unit.

The typical heat pump is set up to work most efficiently in mild weather, when outdoor temperatures are above 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. But when it's colder than that—especially as the temperature drops down toward 0 and even down to the -15 F range—you want a heat pump that works effectively in the real-world conditions that real-world people live in. And the cold climate heat pump is the answer to that condition-specific problem.