How regular maintenance helps extend the life of your heat pump?

Heat pumps are versatile systems that can both cool and heat your home. With the right upkeep and care, your heat pump will last longer and run more efficiently. In this article, you’ll learn how to get the most out of your heat pump and the steps you can take to ensure that your heat pump keeps your home cool for many summers to come.

Tips to maintain your Heat Pump

What are the heat pumps?

While many homeowners are familiar with air conditioners and furnaces, “heat pumps” don’t have quite the same name recognition. As the name implies, heat pumps work by moving (“pumping”) heat energy from one place to another. In the summer, this means removing heat energy from inside your home and depositing it outside—just like an air conditioner does. In the winter, the system reverses operation, pulling heat energy from the outside air into your home to keep your family warm and cozy.

Heat pumps are a perfect fit for the mild winters. They provide year-round comfort and are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating systems, such as gas and electric furnaces.

Upkeep for all seasons

Their year-round use makes heat pumps incredibly useful. However, this also means your system experiences far more wear-and-tear than a normal air conditioner—it’s running for an entire half of the year that most air conditioners sit dormant. Heat pump systems are engineered to stand up to tough conditions, and their heat pumps are no exception. But, there’s no substitute for having an expert inspect the unit on a regular basis.

For a heat pump, expert maintenance is a must. If you want to keep your system running right, call your local HVAC experts to schedule an annual tune-up.

Keep your manufacturer’s warranty intact

New air conditioners and heat pumps come with an extensive manufacturer’s warranty that protects the system and its components from several potential problems and defects. It’s in your best interest to keep this warranty intact as long as possible! There are just two major stipulations:

  • You must register your new heat pump within 90 days after installation.
  • You must keep the system maintained by a professional, certified HVAC company. Not doing so can actually void the warranty!

The manufacturer’s warranty Carrier provides on their new HVAC systems is a layer of protection for any homeowner. Paired with the other benefits of a tune-up, keeping that warranty intact is a no-brainer.

Do-it-yourself system maintenance

In addition to an annual tune-up from a professional, there’s a number of things you can do to ensure your heat pump continues working properly:

  • Landscaping: Keep bushes, trees, landscaping, and weeds away from the outdoor condenser, as the close proximity of any objects could impact the airflow.
  • Air Filters: Replace your filter on a regular basis with the correct type of filter for the system. See the section below for more on this!
  • Consistency: You’ll reduce the strain on your heat pump if you avoid major temperature swings in your home when you program your thermostat. Make adjustments just 1-2 degrees at a time until you’re comfortable.

Improve your indoor air quality

Heat pumps we install have another unique feature: a fresh air intake that moves outdoor air through a filter inside the system. This means cleaner air for your home—as long as the filter is regularly cleaned. One of the big benefits of scheduling seasonal maintenance for your heat pump is that your HVAC technician will replace this filter, effectively resetting your home’s air to the same, clean state it was when the system was first installed.

A clean air filter isn’t just about what you’re breathing in. It also allows the heat pump to operate more efficiently by preventing it from having to push cooled or heated air through a clogged filter. A dirty air filter can cause a number of problems for your heat pump, including much higher energy bills. This is just another way that an air conditioning tune-up can help get you more cooling for your energy dollar.

Get more years out of your system

Just like your car, regular maintenance for your heat pump is going to help it last longer and run better as it ages. A mixture of an annual tune-up and some regular upkeep from the homeowner can go a long way. When properly cared for, many heat pumps can last longer than their 12-15-year standard lifespan. That means lower energy bills over the life of the system and more years between replacement units.

If you have any questions about your heat pump or how to best maintain it at its best, we recommend talking to a local HVAC professional and scheduling a tune-up. Your maintenance appointment is a great time to ask questions and find out what you can do to protect your system for years to come.

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