Heating Season is the Best Time for Heat Pump Maintenance
It’s time to service your energy-efficient heat pump! At a minimum, it should be serviced yearly.
Over the years, we’ve published blog posts on ‘How Heat Pumps Work in the Winter’, ‘Cleaning Tips to Prepare for a Winter Storm’, and many more. But, the main takeaway is cleaning and maintaining your heat pump, especially during the winter months, will keep you warmer and protect your heat pump from damage.
In this article, we will break down the key things you need to know to ensure you’re prepared for heating season. So, let’s begin!
Schedule Annual Maintenance
In addition to general cleaning of the outdoor and indoor units, you should have your heat pump serviced by a professional at least once per year. Regular maintenance will help extend the life of your investment and ensure that your heat pump is operating at peak efficiency. Contact an authorized Daikin dealer near you to schedule a maintenance appointment today!
Measure Your Heat Pump’s Efficiency
Each heat pump has a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF). HSPF is the rating used to measure how well a heat pump performs in heating mode. The higher the score, the more efficiently the heat pump works. That’s why we encourage you to take stock of your heat pump’s temperature readings during the winter months so that you can plan your backup heating accordingly when a storm is on track.
Plan Your Backup Heat Source
Heat pumps extract the warmth from the air and move it into your home, and when the temperature drops below -27°C, they may not be able to transfer heat as efficiently. During extreme weather events, you may need a backup source of heat.
If you have a ductless/mini-split heat pump, your backup will likely be electric baseboard heating. Since the mini-split heat pump doesn’t require ductwork, many homeowners already have electric baseboard heat in place.
Ducted heat pumps harness the forced air ducts in your home to spread the heat around. Homeowners with these centrally-ducted systems may use electric heat, but a furnace may be necessary in some cases. Consult a Daikin Comfort Pro near you to see which backup system best suits your home.
Keep The Outdoor Unit Clear of Snow
One of the most important factors in keeping your heat pump functioning efficiently throughout the winter is to make sure that it’s clear of snow. Failing to clear snow away from the unit is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make!
If your outdoor unit becomes blocked or clogged with snow, your heat pump will end up devoting more energy to melting that snow than it will to heating your home. After any significant snowfall, you should make a quick check of the outdoor unit to ensure there’s no snow blocking or clogging the unit. Taking a few minutes to clear away any accumulated snow will help ensure that your heat pump is functioning as efficiently as possible. If you notice ice building up on your heat pump, the best way to deal with it is to melt the ice by pouring warm water over it.