The efficiency of your heat pump, particularly when its heating ability is compared to that of a furnace or other heater, is incredible! It’s also extremely effective at providing accurate and even climate control, and chances are, it rarely requires any sort of repairs. But the wear and tear of operating for months will take a toll on the system.
It’s pretty simple to keep your heat pump efficient and effective and to ensure that it won’t be likely to need a repair anytime soon. Here’s what to do: schedule heat pump maintenance with a qualified technician. What does heat pump maintenance involve? Why is it necessary? We’ll explain.
What Heat Pump Maintenance Involves
The first step is cleaning which lays the groundwork for the rest of the maintenance process. Your technician will meticulously cleanse and polish every part of the system, which necessitates disassembling some components as well to get all the nooks and crannies. Cleaning eliminates the grit that can wear away at moving parts, reduces friction, and maximizes airflow through the system.
The rest of the process includes lubricating moving parts (further reducing friction) and inspecting all components (catching any small issues early). And it’s not just a visual check: electrical components go through a testing process, so a miscalibrated thermostat, loose connection, or motor drawing the wrong amperage of power can be fixed.
Why Heat Pump Maintenance Is Necessary
First, let’s talk about efficiency. Dust clogs, lack of lubrication, slightly out-of-alignment components, and inaccurate thermostat readings can all contribute significantly to the amount of time a heat pump spends running, and thus the amount of energy it consumes. With maintenance, these hindrances are eliminated and efficiency is improved.
Effectiveness is also maximized when your heat pump is properly maintained. Ease of air circulation means better distribution of heated and cooled air throughout the home. Also, maintenance cuts the risk of overheating, whether from a motor problem, friction, or blankets of dust. Overheating leads to short cycles that don’t get the job accomplished properly.
Maintenance will also reduce the risk that repairs will be needed anytime soon because tiny problems will be caught before they can become serious, and because wear and tear is minimized thanks to a clean and well-lubricated system. This also means that the heat pump will last longer than it would without maintenance, providing cooling and heating for more summers and winters.
When Heat Pump Maintenance Should Be Performed
An air conditioner, ideally, will receive maintenance in the spring. This ensures that it will be in the best possible shape for facing the heat of the summer. A heating system is generally maintained in the fall, for the same reason: to be prepared for the season when it will be working the hardest. Because your heat pump is both a cooling and heating system, it should receive maintenance at both these times.
Do yourself and your home a favor and schedule heat pump maintenance in Madison, WI.
You can always count on 24-Hour Home Comfort Services, your heating and cooling specialists.