WHO KNEW Heat Pumps Need Special Attention to Keep Them Working at Peak Efficiency?

Whether you heat and cool your house exclusively with heat pumps or have them as a supplement to another system, here are a few tips to keep them working at top efficiency.

First, have your system serviced by a reputable company at least once, preferably twice, a year. The best times are at the change of seasons—spring and fall. Because of their complexity, heat pumps need servicing by someone who knows what he or she is doing. The build-up of mold, especially in wall mounted units, is a particular concern, and regular servicing will help to keep this under control.

Second, clean your filters regularly. Clean filters are essential in order for your system to work effectively. If you have a wall-mounted head unit (mini-split), you should be able to access the filter and wash it yourself. This should be done once every 2 months, at least. If you have a duct system, your filters should be replaced every 6-8 weeks, depending on the time of year. In the winter, for example, if your system is working continuously, every 6 weeks is preferable. If you have a wood burning fireplace or stove which you use frequently in the winter, you need to be especially diligent regarding the changing of your filters. Even the smoke from candles can clog your filter.

Third, it is important to keep your heat pump thermostat fixed at a certain temperature. Resist the temptation to lower the temperature by several degrees at night, as this will cause your system to work harder and use more electricity. If you know ahead of time that the outside temperature is going to either get very low or very high, and you want to adjust your indoor temperature accordingly, change the thermostat setting at least 24 hours in advance, and do it gradually so that your system doesn’t have to make a sudden change. In general, however, once you set the temperature of your heat pump, don’t change it.

Heat pumps are a great alternative to the burning of fossil fuels in your home. If you have a well-insulated home, you can rely exclusively on heat pumps for your heating needs, even in northern New England. As a supplement to your oil or natural gas system, heat pumps can still help you to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels.