Heat pump maintenance and technology has been evolving steadily over the past few decades. These days, geothermal heat pumps can be installed even in very cold climates and still provide adequate heating and cooling without the need for backup systems. Even the most technologically advanced heating and cooling system won’t be able to operate efficiently without proper maintenance, though.
Whether you’re already taking advantage of this advanced, energy-efficient solution for keeping your home comfortable, or you want to learn more about what it’s like to have a heat pump, Master Electrical Service is here to help. We’ll be happy to discuss options and come up with an effective geothermal heat pump maintenance plan.
Much like other forms of home heating and cooling equipment, heat pumps require annual preventative maintenance visits from an HVAC professional. There are, however, some tasks that you can perform at home between these heat pump annual maintenance visits to keep things running smoothly.
When it comes to at-home heat pump preventative maintenance, there is no task more important than checking and changing the filters. The health of your heat pump and the quality of the air in your home depend on clean, unobstructed filters. In most cases, they need to be changed every 30-60 days to prevent the buildup of dust and debris.
Heat pumps collect condensation in the course of normal operation. When everything is working as intended, the condensate drain removes moisture from the area to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary heat pump failures. Check the condensate drain at the beginning of every season to make sure it isn’t clogged or damaged.
As with traditional HVAC systems, heat pumps rely on ducts to move treated air throughout your home. If they’re dirty, dusty, or damaged, it will affect the efficiency of the entire system and expose your family to allergies, mold, and other airborne contaminants. Checking the registers periodically and taking note of increases in dust on surfaces throughout the home will let you know when it’s time to schedule a cleaning.
If you’re worried about heat pump maintenance costs, don’t be. You’ll save money in the long run by providing your heating and cooling equipment with the care it needs. Unmaintained heat pumps cost homeowners money in a few ways, while heat pump preventative maintenance has the opposite effect.
As a general rule, heat pumps are much more efficient than traditional central air systems. Instead of using fuel to generate heat, they move heat between your house and the ground, which requires less electricity and no fossil fuels. However, a lack of maintenance can lower your heat pump’s efficiency, causing your energy bills to rise.
One of the major benefits of scheduling heat pump annual maintenance appointments is that it gives one of our expert technicians the chance to perform a full inspection and identify any potential problems before they cause total system failures. Keeping moving parts lubricated, replacing worn-out components before they break, and making sure the whole system stays clean can all help to reduce the chances of unexpected breakdowns and frequent repairs.
Heat pumps have a reputation for greater longevity, but only if they’re well maintained. If you don’t keep up with geothermal heat pump maintenance, you’ll almost certainly have to replace the unit more often than you would with annual inspections and tune-ups.
Not everyone realizes this but manufacturer’s warranties almost always stipulate that buyers provide equipment with annual professional maintenance. If you fall behind and then something goes wrong, you’ll be on the hook for the repairs even if they occurred due to a manufacturing error while the equipment would otherwise still be under warranty.
If we find anything wrong during our inspection, we’ll let you know right away. In some cases, we can perform repairs on the same day. In others, we’ll have to order parts and send a technician out to complete them at a future appointment. Either way, we’ll review all of your options and help you choose the right one to fit your family’s needs and budget.
Here at Master Electrical Service, we believe that all Northern Utah families deserve to stay comfortable year-round. We’re committed to keeping up with all of the latest changes in home heating and cooling technology so that we can provide the most effective, efficient, and affordable services.
If you want to get a heat pump maintenance cost estimate, give us a call. We also provide heat pump installations, replacements, and repairs, so no matter what step you’re at in your journey toward improved efficiency, we’re here to help.