If your home uses a heat pump for cooling and heating, you know how efficiently it can operate. You’ve seen the relatively low energy bills. However, like any other complex machinery, heat pumps need regular maintenance. Following are all good reasons for keeping your system in top condition.
- Save energy
- Stay comfortable
- Safeguard against water damage
- Safeguard against expensive refrigerant leaks that harm the environment
- Prevent premature system replacement
Save energy
Heat pumps are fantastic heating and cooling systems, and are very efficient. However, without regular maintenance, you may lose up to 25 percent efficiency, according to the federal Energy Star program.
Stay comfortable
Finding your comfort zone becomes more difficult with an inefficient heat pump, and more expensive. Air pressure and circulation become inconsistent, while discomfort becomes the norm.
Water damage
A clogged drainage system is one of the first signs of disrepair. Heat pumps produce water in large quantities from condensation and defrosting ice. Untreated drain lines often become clogged with algae, mineral deposits, and debris such as insects and anything that defrosting water washes down with it. When too much ice build-up occurs, that may be a sign of worn electrical connections,and/or blockages in the airflow system (blowers and filter).
Refrigerant leaks
As heat pumps age, refrigerant leaks become more common, especially for unkempt equipment. Leaks typically occur at the heat exchanger, at valves, or from compressor malfunction. Replacing refrigerant is becoming much more expensive due to phase-out of the common R-22 formula (which 80 percent of the systems in America use). Another ramification of refrigerant leaks is damage to the environment.
Premature system replacement
Like all machines, heat pumps need regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns. The “repair or replace” dilemma is not a pleasant spot to be in. Compressor repair, for instance, requires substantial amounts of costly refrigerant.
To schedule heat pump maintenance, or for information about Mr Cool’s Super Saver maintenance plan, contact Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning today. We’ve been helping homeowners stay cool in the Fresno area for over 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pump maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Donald P Dick Air Conditioning services the greater Fresno area in California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!