A heat pump offers one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool, but it relies on regular maintenance to perform at its optimum level. You can improve the performance of your heat pump by maintaining it regularly, focusing on three primary issues – the airflow, the ducts and the refrigerant levels.
Airflow
Heat pumps rely on interior blowers to circulate the conditioned air. Airflow is affected by the evaporator coil, the air filter and the blower settings. A heat pump should blow air at the rate of 400 to 500 cubic feet per minute for each ton of size. HVAC technicians use special tools to measure the flow and correct it by cleaning the evaporator coil and changing the air filter. Clogged air filters impede the flow into the blower, as well as dirtying evaporator coils. If cleaning does not improve the airflow, the technician can speed up the blower.
Ducts
Ducts can account for as much as 30 percent of heating and cooling losses that occur in forced-air systems. The conditioned air can lose temperature before it reaches its destination if the ducts aren’t insulated, especially in unconditioned spaces. Leaking ducts can drive up system losses even higher. HVAC experts will test ducts to determine their integrity and pinpoint problems. Once ducts are sealed, your energy efficiency goes up with the heat pump.
Refrigerant
Over time, the outdoor coils in the condenser can develop leaks. A pump uses refrigerant summer and winter as the medium for conveying the heat. When levels are low, the efficiency drops and the system can shut down. During maintenance, the technician will check the levels and bring them into line with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Airflow
Heat pumps rely on interior blowers to circulate the conditioned air. Airflow is affected by the evaporator coil, the air filter and the blower settings. A heat pump should blow air at the rate of 400 to 500 cubic feet per minute for each ton of size. HVAC technicians use special tools to measure the flow and correct it by cleaning the evaporator coil and changing the air filter. Clogged air filters impede the flow into the blower, as well as dirtying evaporator coils. If cleaning does not improve the airflow, the technician can speed up the blower.
Ducts
Ducts can account for as much as 30 percent of heating and cooling losses that occur in forced-air systems. The conditioned air can lose temperature before it reaches its destination if the ducts aren’t insulated, especially in unconditioned spaces. Leaking ducts can drive up system losses even higher. HVAC experts will test ducts to determine their integrity and pinpoint problems. Once ducts are sealed, your energy efficiency goes up with the heat pump.
Refrigerant
Over time, the outdoor coils in the condenser can develop leaks. A pump uses refrigerant summer and winter as the medium for conveying the heat. When levels are low, the efficiency drops and the system can shut down. During maintenance, the technician will check the levels and bring them into line with the manufacturer’s specifications.
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