Even if your unit is a nearly new, high-efficiency heat-pump, maintenance is a must to keep it in prime operating shape. You may have forgotten to have your unit serviced this past spring, but it’s not too late. Schedule your service now, and keep your heat pump running smoothly not only this summer, but also next fall and for years to come.

Between service checks — or before your technician arrives to do the maintenance that you forgot a few months ago — you can do a couple of things to keep your heat pump in good operating order. Check and change the air filter as needed. If the filter looks dirty, change it, as a dirty filter can severely restrict airflow and keep your heat pump from doing its job. Check the housing around the outdoor compressor, and make sure it’s free of debris and obstructions that interfere with airflow.

Everything else should be done by a properly trained and licensed professional. Regular heat pump maintenance typically includes the following:

• Checking and verifying that the thermostat is properly adjusted and working as it should
• Checking the ducts, blowers and coils for debris and other obstructions
• Sealing any leaks in your ductwork
• Checking and recharging the refrigerant as necessary
• Measuring and correcting the airflow as needed
• Inspecting the terminals and cleaning and tightening the connections

Because your heat pump both cools and heats your home, a once yearly check is usually sufficient. So even if you forgot to have your unit checked in the spring, you’re helping to ensure that your unit will serve you well in cooler weather by having it serviced now. You can get even better performance by making sure that your insulation is sufficient, and any air leaks in your home are sealed.

If you have any other questions or concerns regarding heat pump maintenance, contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve been serving greater Sacramento since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.