With the arrival of cooler weather just around the corner, it’s time to make sure your heat pump is ready for the coming season. Checking its operation before cold weather starts is much more advisable than waiting until you see the frost on the grass. If you do have any problems with your heat pump this winter, it probably will be difficult to secure the services of a good HVAC technician to troubleshoot it, since that is a traditionally busy time for them.
There are some things you can do as a homeowner to prepare your heat pump system for fall and winter, and there are other tasks better left to a qualified technician. Most homeowners should feel comfortable with changing or replacing the air filter on the system, and this will be necessary if the filter is clogged with debris. Removing any fallen branches or overgrown vegetation close to the outdoor unit can ensure that air intake is good for the season. And cleaning off the coils with a garden hose is another task that is very do-able for the average homeowner.
Beyond those things though, preparedness can get a little tricky, and unless you’re a strong do-it-yourselfer, you’ll want to contract with an HVAC professional for a pre-season maintenance tune-up. Components like the heat pump’s circuit board, capacitor, wiring, evaporator coil, chemical refrigerant level, and the condensate drain line should be inspected, cleaned and/or adjusted as needed by a pro. Bad connections or damage to any of these components will at a minimum result in poor performance during cold season, and if severe enough, could cause a complete breakdown.
Contact Us
If you need expert advice on any issues related to home comfort, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning. Our family-owned and operated business has been serving the greater Fresno area for nearly 40 years, and we’d love to have the opportunity to serve your home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area 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.
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