Home-Wizard.com Guide to Heat Pump Maintenance including free automatic reminders

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Interactive Home Maintenance Guide

To maintain the energy efficiency, safety, and useful life of your heat pump, it is important that your home maintenance program include the proper maintenance for your heat pump.

A heat pump consists of an outdoor coil, indoor coil, and a compressor. In warm weather, the indoor coil picks up heat from the indoor air and transfers it, using a circulating refrigerant and a compressor, to the outside air In cold weather, the opposite takes place. The indoor air is circulated throughout the indoor space using a blower and duct system. See also: Forced-Air Heating System, Central Air Conditioning, and Furnaces.

Shown below are the three recommended routine maintenance tasks for your heat pump.

Learn to enjoy managing your home with our free Newsletter or our free Automatic Maintenance Reminders. We can also show you the Recommended Maintenance Schedules for your entire home.


		Maintenance Task #1: Replace or wash air filters

		How do you replace or wash air filters for a heat pump?
		Replace or clean your heat pump's air filters in accordance with your manufacturer's recommendations. Ensure that the filters are placed in correct direction of air flow.

		Why is it important to replace or wash air filters for a heat pump?
		Your heat pump draws air from the outside of your house which carries dust, pollen, debris, etc. There are two reasons for replacing or washing this air filter: As a filter gets dirty over time, it begins to clog with dust, pollen, etc. A dirty filter means the heat pump's fan motor has to work harder to move air through it, which means it has to consume more energy and is therefore more expensive to operate. The filter helps to clean the circulating air, which makes room cleaning easier and less frequent, helps improve air quality, and helps to provide relief to allergy sufferers.

		How often should you replace or wash air filters for a heat pump?
		Perform monthly during periods of heavy use (June through August, and October through February). NOTE: Reminders in the winter periods are provided under "Forced Air Distribution System".

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		TThe cost of this task is relatively low. It is estimated that this task should only take about 15 minutes to complete, and the task is relatively easy to do. No specialized tools are required. However, you do need to purchase the appropriate filter for your heat pump in advance.

		The benefits of this task are moderate, as a dirty filter requires more energy to operate your heat pump. Also, if people in your house have respiratory problems, then this task becomes more important.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #2: Clean fins on outside condenser unit

		How do you clean the fins on the outside condenser unit of a heat pump?
		The "outside condenser unit" of your heat pump is the big box with the large fan in it located on the side of your house. This unit is where heat from the inside of your house is pushed to the outside (which is why the fan blowing air above the unit feels warm). Inside of the box are coils of pipe that are surrounded by thousands of thin metal "fins". These fins give the coils more surface area for exchanging heat. Cleaning the outside condenser unit of your heat pump involves four activities. Before doing any of these activities, be absolutely sure to shut off power to the unit and consult your owner's manual regarding discharging the capacitor and proper maintenance procedures for your unit. If you have any questions about how to do this, seek professional maintenance help. Remove leaves, debris, spider webs, etc. from the outside of the unit. Be careful to push debris away from the fins, not pushing debris into the fins. Remove leaves, debris, etc. from the inside of the unit (after ensuring that power is shut off to the unit). After you remove the cover grille, you can use a garden hose to spray the coils from the inside of the unit. If any of the fins are bent, you can use a special tool called a "fin comb" to straighten and clean them. The motor which drives the fan typically has ports which allow lubricating oil to be added (check your owner's manual).

		Why is it important to clean the fins on the outside condenser unit of a heat pump?
		The purpose of this maintenance task is to help maintain the energy efficiency of the heat exchanger unit of your heat pump. A dirty unit is less efficient at doing its job, which means that your air conditioning unit has to work harder, which causes it to consume more energy, and shortens its service life.

		How often should you clean the fins on the outside condenser unit of a heat pump?
		Perform twice per year (May and September).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderately high. Cleaning the outside of the unit only takes a few minutes. But cleaning inside the unit and oiling the motor is much more difficult, and straightening the fins requires a special tool. This part of the task is probably best left to a trained professional, as part of your annual service work.

		The benefits of this task can be somewhat high because this task helps ensure the energy efficient operation of your heat pump, and it helps maintain the useful life of a relatively expensive piece of equipment in your home.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #3: Lubricate and adjust compressor motor

		How do you lubricate and adjust compressor motor of a heat pump?
		In accordance with your manufacturer's recommendations, you should lubricate and adjust the heat pump's compressor motor.

		Why is it important to lubricate and adjust compressor motor of a heat pump?
		Extends useful life on the motor.

		How often should you lubricate and adjust compressor motor of a heat pump?
		Perform annually (May).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderate, depending on the design of your heat pump, and how easy or difficult it is to lubricate the motor.

		The benefits of this task are relatively high, in that it helps to extend the life of a relatively expensive piece of equipment for your home.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):

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