When looking for a home heating appliance, the heat pump checks out as an excellent appliance. It’s energy-efficient, highly convenient, and has low running costs.
Unfortunately, buying the right appliance isn’t all.
You also need to properly use the appliance for you to get the most out of it.
How do you do it?
Here are heat pump dos and don’ts as given by heat pump repair experts:
Do keep a close eye on the thermostat
An appropriate and perfectly functioning thermostat is necessary for an optimally functioning heat pump.
To have an easy time, invest in digital thermostats. Avoid analog thermostats. In addition to being complex to operate, analog thermostats also confuse the heat pump when they break down.
Do clean the heat pump regularly
Just like the other home appliances, you also need to clean the heat pump regularly. Before the heating season begins, ask an experienced contractor to inspect your appliance and clean it if dirty.
The professional should clean the filters, coils, and other areas for better air quality. Don’t operate a dirty appliance as a poorly cleaned unit significantly reduces the air quality.
It also causes irritations, allergies, and other disorders that can be detrimental to your family.
Don’t worry too much about the temperature setting
While you should be cautious of the thermostat setting, you don’t have to keep worrying about setting the right temperature for your home.
The heat pump works slightly differently than the other heating systems so nstead of being obsessed with the temperature readings, set the temperature to a comfortable setting then adjust the setting up and down over the course of the week until you attain a reading you are comfortable with.
Don’t crank up the existing heating system
If you are like other homeowners, you have the heat pump and another heating system such as a furnace. Most people forget about the older systems and leave them cranked up, which is wrong.
When you keep the old system working, it competes with the heat pump which costs you money and energy.
What should you do instead?
In the areas you are using the heat pump, turn the old thermostat at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit lower than you used to. For example, if you are fond of setting it at 68, turn it to 58.
By doing this you allow the old system to become the backup heat source hence it doesn’t compete with your heat pump.
When it gets too cold, and the house is freezing, consider turning up the thermostat temporarily.
Don’t use the Auto Mode
When homeowners hear they don’t have to keep on checking the thermostat settings, they opt for the Auto mode. While the mode frees your time, your unit runs the risk of toggling unnecessarily between heating and cooling.
The heat pump will function efficiently when you set it to heat in winter and cool in summer.
Do use a higher fan speed
As mentioned, you should make as much use of the fan as possible. Since they use the fan to cool the house, many homeowners often use the lowest fan speed as they don’t want to cool the house they are desperate to keep warm.
You should know that the heat pump functions more efficiently when you set the fan at a higher speed. Don’t set it at extremely high speeds as it will produce ambient noise and air movement.
Use the highest speed that you are comfortable with and gives you the best results.
Do keep a close eye on the refrigerant levels
There is no way your heating appliance will function optimally with incorrect refrigerant levels. To keep your unit in top shape, regularly inspect the levels and refill the refrigerant if necessary.
You shouldn’t work with an appliance with low refrigerant levels as low levels damage the compressor. A defective compressor means that no air flows through.
Heat pump repair services Arlington VA also report that low refrigerant levels lead to higher electricity bills. The air quality and efficiency levels also tend to go down substantially.
During regular heat pump inspections, ask the experts to give attention to the refrigerant levels. They also should investigate whether the appliance is leaking. If it is, fix it before refilling the refrigerant.
