Heat Pump Maintenance: How Often Should You Service It?

Heat pumps are a popular solution for homes in temperate climates because they can regulate your home’s temperature by heating and cooling. Moreover, they require little energy, making them efficient, and are known for their durability. Nevertheless, without proper regular servicing, chances are high you’ll end up needing to fix your heat pump.  

Because a heat pump operates year-round, it requires more frequent service than an air conditioner or a furnace. Regular maintenance optimizes your system’s performance, prevents breakage, and ensures it’s ready to use every season.  

How Often Should You Service Your Heat Pump? 

The perfect heat pump maintenance routine depends on several factors, such as your brand, how old it is, its use frequency, etc. However, we often recommend scheduling two major moments of heating check-up: before the summer and during the fall. 

What Happens During a Pre-Summer Heat Pump Service? 

After winter, you should have your heat pump inspected. The system might have been strained by the demands placed on it during cold weather. As warm weather approaches, you want to make sure your system is prepared to meet the cooling demand.  

Pre-summer heat pump inspections often involve: 

– Cleaning the Coils: To increase efficiency and guarantee your heat pump’s correct operation, dirt or debris on the outdoor coils must be eliminated.  

– Checking Refrigerant Levels: A low refrigerant level will result in less efficient heat exchange from the unit. During maintenance, a technician will recharge the system, check for leaks, and measure the amount of refrigerant. 

Examining the Ducting: Any holes, cracks, or tears may allow pollutants to enter and conditioned air to escape, so it’s important to seal any duct leaks. 

What Happens During a Fall Heat Pump Service? 

A heat pump should be maintained after withstanding the summer heat and keeping your house cool to ensure it is prepared to handle winter demand. To avoid a breakdown and ensure you can find an available technician, we recommend scheduling maintenance early in the autumn. 

Often, a fall heat pump servicing includes: 

– Examine the Defrost Controls: On colder days and nights, the defrost system activates when frost accumulates on the coils. A technician must confirm that they are operating properly and make any required corrections or repairs. 

– System Inspection: Before you can depend on reliable heating for your house, a professional inspection helps identify any problems with any heat pump components so they can be fixed.  

– Verify the Thermostat: Fall is a good time to check the thermostat’s accuracy. If needed, it can be calibrated, or the batteries can be changed, before any performance problems arise.  

Find Reliable Technicians to Fix My Heat Pump 

A heat pump is useful in keeping your home temperature, no matter the season. However, because they work during both the summer heat and the cold Pennsylvania winter, it’s inevitable that you’ll need service at some point. By proactively scheduling heat pump maintenance services annually with Summers & Zim’s, you can prevent costly repairs and replacements.  

You should consider our Blue Membership plans to ensure technician availability, even during the busy winter and summer months, and access beneficial service rates (up to a 25% discount on repairs!). Contact us today to learn more!