Why Twice-Yearly Heat Pump Service is Vital

While most who utilize them are well aware that items like furnaces and air conditioners require twice-yearly maintenance to keep them in tip-top shape, there may be some confusion or uncertainty here from those homes or buildings that utilize heat pumps instead. Heat pumps serve both the heating and cooling role in one appliance, but this does not mean they need less service – in fact, the twice-yearly approach is just as important for these as for furnaces and ACs. 

At Thompson’s Comfort Connection, we’re here to provide numerous services to both ACs and heat pumps for clients around Sandy and Draper this spring, including repair or even AC and heat pump system replacement if issues have arisen with your system that cannot be repaired. Here are some of the key reasons why the same twice-yearly approach taken with typical ACs and furnaces should also be observed for heat pumps, some of the key areas that will be covered during these services, and some other tips for maintaining these appliances.

Heat Pump Serves Both the AC and the Furnace Role

From a basic standpoint, it’s important to remember that a heat pump serves both the AC and furnace role one appliance. This means that the same system will manage both heating and cooling of your home, leading to great energy efficiency.

This is in contrast to the typical two-system approach where a furnace is used for heating and an AC unit is run for cooling, with both appliances needing to be serviced separately. During the warm summer, your furnace simply gets to rest for a few months and does not need much attention, while the AC is running more frequently.

The fact that your heat pump manages both roles means it needs to be serviced just as often twice-yearly – in the spring for cooling season prep, and in the fall for heating season prep. This allows us to check both sets of components, allowing for potential issues to be caught before they become major headaches.

Key Areas Covered During Heat Pump Service

During our twice-yearly professional heat pump services, we’ll cover a variety of key areas designed to keep your appliance in top shape. These include:

• Electrical and wiring: All wiring and connections will be reviewed, with any loose or damaged wires being replaced. If we find that the wiring does not meet safety standards, then a rewiring may be needed.
• Refrigerant and ducts: Refrigerant lines will be checked for any corrosion or leaks, with any necessary repairs made. All ducts will also be cleaned, ensuring that air is flowing optimally.
• Checking filters: The air filters in your heat pump should be checked and changed regularly. We’ll review them during our service, with any that need changing being replaced promptly.
• Thermostat connection and compatibility: We’ll check the thermostat and make sure it is connected properly and that it is compatible with your heat pump system. If it isn’t, then we can provide an upgrade if needed.
• Minor repairs or tweaks: If any minor repairs or tweaks are needed to the heat pump, we can make them on the spot.

Other Tips for Heat Pump Maintenance

While twice-yearly services are a great way to stay on top of heat pump maintenance, there are some other things you can do throughout the year to keep your appliance running optimally. These include:

• Checking air filters: As noted above, the air filters should be checked regularly and replaced as necessary. This helps maintain good airflow throughout the system.
• Blower fan: The blower fan should be checked regularly to make sure it is working properly and not making too much noise. It may need some oiling or other small tweaks from time to time.
• Coils: The coils should be checked when the temperature outside changes significantly. We can clean them during our service, but they may need further cleaning if they’re exposed to more dust or debris throughout the year.
• Checking for leaks: Keep an eye out for any refrigerant leaks and make sure you address them as soon as possible.
• Turn-offs during spring or fall: During certain brief periods in the spring and fall, you may want to turn off your heat pump. This is because temperatures outside will be right in your ideal range and you won’t need to run the appliance. It’s a small but effective way to save some energy.

By following these tips, you can ensure your heat pump is working optimally throughout the year without breaking the bank on expensive repairs or maintenance costs. Contact us today at Thompson’s Comfort Connection to learn more about our heat pump services and how they can help you maintain your appliance, or for information on any of our HVAC and air quality solutions for clients around Sandy and Draper!