The heat pump is known as the wonder boy of home heating. This is because you can use it for cooling during summer and heating in winter. In summer, the heat pump uses a refrigerant to absorb heat from the inside the house and releases it to the outside air.
In winter, the heat pump functions like an air conditioner in reverse, where the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air and uses it to warm the house.
According to heat pump repair technicians, heat pumps aren’t as efficient in cold temperatures as they would in milder conditions. This is because they need more electricity to remove heat from the air.
To get the most from your heat pump in winter, you need to learn how to use it properly. To help you out, here are tips on how to use a heat pump in winter:
Ensure the heat pump is ready for winter
There is no way your heat pump will run efficiently if it’s not ready for winter. Before the season begins, ask a heat pump expert to inspect the unit and check it out for leaks, anti-freeze levels, system filters, and loose electrical connections and ensure everything is running optimally.
When hiring the contractor, ensure they are certified and have a proven record. You don’t want someone who will mess up your appliance.
Don’t use the “Auto” mode.
While you might have the impression you will be saving energy by setting the heat pump to operate at “Automatic,” it isn’t the case. When you set your unit to run on “Auto” mode, it automatically changes from “Heat” to “Cool,” which might bring about several problems.
First off, the heat pump’s changing is based on the changes in indoor temperatures, which can make the appliance run improperly.
The best way to go about it is to find a comfortable temperature setting and set your appliance to run there.
Keep the air filters clean.
As the air is circulating in your heat pump, it passes through the fine mesh filters. It goes without saying that the heat pump works best when the air filters are clean. Dirty filters restrict airflow, so when the air filter is clogged with gunk, the heat pump has to work harder, translating to a high energy bill, not to mention the appliance’s reduced lifespan.
To ensure your air filters are functioning optimally, you should have them cleaned before the heating season then once in the middle of the season. As a rule of thumb, ensure an expert does the work.
Don’t let your heat pump run the entire day.
Even if it’s cold most of the winter, don’t leave your heat pump running the entire day. In addition to the appliance consuming a lot of energy when you do this, it also tends to have a short lifespan.
The best way out is to set it to work at a time when you need it the most. For example, set it to run before you get up in the morning, so your kitchen is warm and toasty when taking your breakfast.
The heat pump should go off then come on again before you get home in the evening so you find a cozy house you can relax in after a hectic day at work.
By aligning the heat pump to your routine, you save money and give your unit a long life.
Don’t heat many rooms at once
While many heat pumps can heat multiple rooms at once, don’t do it as the heat pump takes a long time doing it. Also, it’s unnecessary as you don’t occupy all the rooms at once.
The best way to go about it is to section your home and focus on the key “hot spots” of the house that you are currently using. In the morning, this can be the kitchen and bedroom.
In the evenings, it’s the family room so you should shut off the bedrooms. Later in the night, heat pump repair services Arlington VA recommend you shut off the family room and other rooms and channel the heat to the bedrooms.
By doing this you save energy and give the heat pump a long life as you aren’t overworking it.
