Learn More About How Houston Heat Pump Maintenance Can Benefit You
We’ve been discussing in our blog all month that heat pump technology is rapidly evolving, and heat pumps are picking up in popularity in colder climates. In fact, you may be considering a heat pump yourself, if you’re interested in:
- Supplementing your existing heat system
- Replacing your existing combined systems with one combined solution
- Reduce your carbon footprint and boost your energy efficiency
- Reduce your regular energy costs and enjoy the heat pump tax credit
However, if combining heating and cooling into one system concerns you, especially when it comes to maintenance, you don’t need to worry.
This week, we’d like to go through the questions that we get asked most often, as well as offer some standard heat pump maintenance tips to help you feel more at ease.
Do heat pumps require service?
Like any other heating or cooling system, your heat pump will benefit from regular preventative maintenance. The difference between a system that is well-maintained and a system that is neglected can range from 10% to 25%, according to energy.gov.
Heat pump maintenance on a routine basis will help ensure that the system performs at its best. It will also help limit damage to the components, including the compressor, making sure that your expensive investment is well protected.
Routine service limits the risk of the heat pump needing unexpected and expensive repairs, as well as helping the system to run more reliably.
What does it cost to maintain a heat pump?
The cost of maintaining a heat pump will vary quite a bit, depending on where you live, how often you have the service performed, the age of your system, and who provides the service.
To understand why the preventative maintenance is worth the ongoing investment, let’s examine the difference between the cost of this important preventative measure and replacing a heat pump after it’s gone bad.
The national average cost for residential heat pump repair ranges from around $350-$1250.
The cost of preventative maintenance on the heat pump averages $170, making this service both cost-effective and a smart option. You can also save on the price of this routine maintenance if you sign a contract for ongoing service with the same HVAC provider.
Can I troubleshoot my heat pump on my own and do my own maintenance?
You should definitely keep an eye on your heat pump for specific issues that commonly develop so that you can prevent future issues.
For example, the defrost cycle will typically run when it is quite cold outside. However, if you notice that the defrost mode keeps coming on, or stays on for more than fifteen minutes, it may be time to call in a professional to evaluate your system.
You can also keep your heat pump running at its best by taking care of routine tasks like dusting around the vents and replacing the air filters.
The reality is that preventative heat pump maintenance is not a job that you can do on your own. If you’re not experienced and trained, it’s very dangerous to work with refrigerant and high voltage electricity. You could wind up doing more harm than good. In these cases, it’s important to turn to a skilled professional for ongoing HVAC maintenance.
How often should the heat pump service be scheduled?
Professional heat pump maintenance should be scheduled at least once per year.
If you use the heat pump for the main heating and cooling system, as opposed to a supplemental system, it may mean that you need to schedule this service twice yearly – once in the spring and once in the fall.
Contact us now or call us today for more information!