When you live in a region with mild winters, a heat pump is the ideal appliance for keeping your home heated and cooled. With the right care, your system can last up to 15 years. If you hope to keep yours running this long, be mindful of the following maintenance advice. 

Do:

Keep the space around it clear.

A heat pump needs at least two feet of clearance space on all sides to work effectively. Regularly inspect the appliance—especially after storms—and remove any leaves, tree limbs, pollen, dirt, and dust that might have accumulated on it. Also, keep grass mowed short in this area and keep shrubs and other plants a few feet away.

Replace the filter every 30 to 90 days.

Your system uses an air filter to trap dust and other particles. This keeps your indoor air clean and prevents damage to the inner parts.

After a while, the filter will get too dirty for air to pass through effectively. This can make the heat pump work harder than necessary to cool or heat your home, leading to prematurely worn parts and rising energy costs. 

Avoid these problems by inspecting the filter at least once a month. If it is dirty, replace or clean it. Homes with pets, people with allergies, and numerous occupants should swap the filter more frequently to maintain clean air. 

Don’t:

Skip seasonal checkups.

Although a heat pump can keep your home comfortable year-round, this also means it doesn’t ever get a break. To ensure its longevity, have it inspected by a professional HVAC contractor at least twice a year. The best times are usually right before and right after summer, as this is when the system does the most work. 

Ignore unusually high energy bills.

One of the first signs that a heat pump isn’t working correctly is a growing utility bill. This happens when the system is running for longer. You can try to lower the thermostat, but if the system is still kicking on every few minutes or doesn’t seem to ever turn off, it’s time to call a contractor to see what’s wrong. 

When you need heat pump maintenance, turn to the experts at Gulf Coast HVAC in Foley, AL. These skilled professionals have over 50 years of combined industry experience and provide fast and reliable AC and heating repairs. Call (251) 955-1054 to ask about their preventative maintenance program, or visit their website to learn more about their services.