Why Are Heat Pumps So Easy to Maintain?

Heat pumps are one of the easiest HVAC solutions to maintain because they use the same components for both heating and cooling. Homes or businesses that have both an air conditioner and a furnace have two entirely separate units to provide heating and cooling, likely using different energy or fuel sources. The mechanical operations of an air conditioner and a furnace are also quite different and require a separate set of skills.

The same heat pump components and processes that cool a home in the summer are simply reversed automatically by the mini-split system when it’s switched from cooling to heating in the winter.

Minimizing Breakdowns, Excessive Energy Use, and Repairs

There are several things heat pump owners can do to make sure their heat pump continues running without issues between professional cleanings and maintenance inspections. Some of these best practices can reduce breakdowns or premature wear, while others are more about saving energy.

The backup heating element in heat pumps is far less efficient than a heat pump’s normal mode of heating. Some people assume that turning the temperature way up will result in faster warming in a room. If they want the temperature to be 70, they might turn the thermostat up to 75 in hopes that the heat pump will work double-time to get the temperature where they want it to go. Doing this has the potential to kick on the backup heating element, which will make the heat being provided far more expensive.

Some heat pump owners may attempt to improve indoor air circulation by switching their fan over to continuous operation. Setting the fan to auto on your thermostat will put less strain on the fan motor and ensure it’s not consuming more energy than necessary to heat or cool a room.

Heat Pump Maintenance Keeps Your Costs Down

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a properly maintained heat pump will consume 10 to 25 percent less energy than a neglected heat pump.

Recommendations for changing HVAC filters varies depending on a lot of factors. Centralized systems with big filters may only require filter changes every one to three months if you’re using high-MERV-rated filters. You may want to replace the filters more often if people in your home have respiratory problems or allergies. Mini-split heat pumps have much smaller filters, which is why they should be cleaned or replaced more frequently. Mini-split manufacturers often recommend air filter cleaning once every two weeks.

The good news is that cleaning or replacing air filters is a relatively simple and quick job most homeowners can handle on their own.

The size of a mini-split heat pump’s filter also means clogs can have a more dramatic negative effect on performance and system longevity. When internal components like coils and fans get dirty it can negatively impact efficiency and may result in more frequent breakdowns. A clogged filter can also reduce airflow and make your mini-split work a lot harder to pull air through the system.

You’ll want to make sure the exterior part of your heat pump is clear of debris and vegetation. The outdoor fan needs to be able to pull in as much air as possible past the coils in the unit, and debris and detritus can hamper its ability to do so.

Valley Home Services offers Gold and Silver service plans that include annual heat pump cleanings and maintenance inspections to ensure your system continues to run efficiently and without breakdowns.

Fewer Parts Need to Make Sure Everything Is Working Properly

Air conditioners and furnaces are complex pieces of heating and cooling technology. There are a lot of manufacturers, each making a diverse array of heating and cooling models. It’s nearly impossible for even a well-equipped HVAC technician to have every potential replacement part they could need to fix someone’s furnace or air conditioner problem.

A single mini-split heat pump simply has fewer parts than two separate units. This means it’s more likely your heat pump repair technician will have a replacement part on hand when something breaks. It’s not uncommon for HVAC technicians to need to order replacement parts for air conditioners or furnaces. But a heat pump can usually be fixed in a single maintenance or repair visit.

Get the Best Mini-Split Heat Pump Maintenance and Repair in Bangor

Home and business owners in the Bangor and Hermon area can trust the heat pump pros at Valley Home Services for all of their heat pump maintenance, repair and installation needs. We’re committed to quickly diagnosing and fixing problems, so you’re never left without heating or cooling when you most need it.

Call us at (207) 945-9008 to schedule your maintenance, repair or installation consultation.