How to maintain your heat pump yourself?

Spring maintenance of the heat pump

In our previous article, we reminded you of the importance of maintaining your central heat pump in the spring, and regularly throughout the following season. Some tasks cannot be done without the contribution and expertise of a specialist. However, some portions of the maintenance are relatively simple and can be done fairly quickly, without any help. Of course, if you are a handyman or simply resourceful, the following tips are for you!

Step 1: Plan your spring cleaning

The first step is certainly to set the date when you will begin your big clean-up. Ideally, choose one date for indoor cleaning and another for cleaning the yard and the outdoor areas. Then, creating a list of tasks to accomplish can help you estimate the time required as well as the materials you will need.

Step 2: Cleaning the indoor unit of the heat pump

A heat pump is a device that can function both as a heater and an air conditioner.

It works hard throughout the year. To properly maintain it, start by ensuring that no furniture or rugs block the airflow coming from the unit. Next, clean the intake and return air vents. Finally, cleaning the filters will be your last task. If the filters are clogged, it puts extra strain on the fan motor and forces the heat pump to work harder.

Step 3: Maintaining the outdoor unit

Cleaning the outdoor unit involves two specific tasks: cleaning the outdoor coil and cleaning the housing itself. The coil located behind the housing should be washed with a hose on a low setting. As for the housing, also known as the condenser, the important thing is to remove any debris that has infiltrated it. Fall and winter may have allowed dead leaves or various debris to accumulate, reducing the efficiency of the heat pump. A vacuum cleaner can be very useful for this. Then, it’s ideal to use a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent to clean everything.