Heat pumps are like the “swiss army knife” for the heating and cooling needs of homeowners all over New England. If you’ve had a heat pump installed in your home for year round, targeted comfort and you want to get the most out of your new investment, you’re probably wondering: “What is heat pump maintenance?” or “How often should I schedule a heat pump tune up?”
The ductless heat pump technicians here at Kearney HVAC install and maintain energy efficient Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating heat pumps along Massachusetts’ North Shore and the Seacoast of New Hampshire; so we know a thing or two about heat pump maintenance. We have even helped homeowners save up to $10,000 on installation costs with the Mass Save program. With a little care and consideration, you can ensure your heat pump is keeping your home at the perfect temperature through the summer heat waves and even the occasional spring snow storm!
Here are a couple of things you can do yourself to better maintain your heat pump, and why spring is a great time to take care of it.
Remove Any Air Flow Obstructions
Things get moved around from time to time in every home — maybe you recently redecorated, or it’s just time for a spring cleaning. It is important for your heat pump to remain unobstructed in order for it to deliver the hot and cold air you need. Take the time this spring to double check there are no curtains, blinds, toys, carpeting, bedding, or lighting within a 12-inch perimeter of the indoor air handler.
The same goes for the outdoor compressor unit! Take a walk outside and check your outdoor unit for any debris buildup, like wet leaves, twigs, or snow. Similarly, there should be a 12-inch zone around your outdoor unit that is free of any obstructions which can undermine the efficiency of your heat pump.
Clean the Air Filter
Just like a traditional central furnace or air conditioning system, your Mitsubishi Electric ductless heat pump uses an air filter to remove as much dirt, dust, and other particles from the air as possible. Over time, these air filters will become clogged, forcing your heat pump to work much harder to provide the hot and cold air you need. Clogged filters also lose their ability to remove contaminants from your breathing air, which can decrease your indoor air quality and exacerbate any allergies or sensitivities you and your family experience. Clean or replace your heat pump air filters at least every three months. If you rely on your heat pump heavily, it may be more beneficial to replace your air filter each month.
Schedule Heat Pump Maintenance
Removing obstructions and changing the air filters are easy maintenance tasks you can do yourself all year round, but the most beneficial thing you can do for the longevity of your heat pump is to schedule regular maintenance with a professional HVAC contractor like Kearney. Our certified professionals will come to your home and conduct a thorough test of your heat pump from top to bottom to ensure it is operating at absolute peak efficiency.
This includes inspecting all moving parts, cleaning the drain pan and coil, and measuring the output of your heat pump to make sure you aren’t spending more than you need to each month on your heating and cooling bills. We recommend that you schedule heat pump maintenance at least twice a year to keep up with the seasonal changes.
If you don’t want to worry about remembering to schedule your maintenance visits, and want a bunch of other perks too, consider signing up for a service agreement!
Don’t Sweat Your Heat Pump Maintenance!
A service agreement through the HVAC professionals at Kearney takes all of the effort out of keeping your heating and cooling equipment in tip-top shape. Plus, you can take advantage of all kinds of benefits throughout the year, such as:
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No fees for emergency service, all year
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10% off repair labor & replacement parts
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10% off new HVAC unit purchases
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30-day labor warranty
Leave your heat pump, furnace, and air conditioner maintenance to the North Shore pros at Kearney, and rest easy knowing you have complete control over your home comfort, no matter what the New England weather decides to throw at us!
