One of the main reasons why many homeowners install heat pumps in their homes is because they can use them as heating and cooling units.
The units are highly effective in most temperatures but in extreme temperatures, they don’t provide the comfort that you are looking for. Are you looking to install the units in your home? There are plenty of things you should know about them. Here are some of the things as given by heat pump repair experts:
The units have different ways of working
As mentioned above, you can use the units to heat and at the same time cool your house. In the air conditioning mode, the units absorb heat from the inside and transfer it outside. In the heating mode, the appliances absorb heat from the outside and transfer it inside.
You should note that this process works very well when the outside temperature is between 30 degrees and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. When the outside temperature is beyond this range, the system has a difficult time maintaining comfortable interior temperatures.
When you are buying the unit for the first time, you should ask the installation professionals to guide you in every area of the unit.
You need to ensure that the unit is of the right size
Just like with the furnace or any other heating unit you might be having in your home, you need to ensure that the heat pump you install in your home is of the right size. Many people have the notion that a larger unit is always better, but this isn’t the case.
A heat pump that is too large might not run long enough in the air conditioning mode for it to effectively get rid of humidity from the air. When the unit isn’t working optimally, it creates moisture control problems that can lead to the growth of mold.
A heat pump that is too large also tends to be less efficient thus costing you a lot of money to keep it running. When the unit runs for a long time inefficiently, it tends to have a shorter life thus you have to replace it after just a short time.
For you to save money on home heating and at the same time have a unit that will last for a long time, you should install a heat pump of the right size. If you aren’t sure of the right size that you should go for, ask a professional to help you out.
Heat pumps are less effective in extremely cold weather
If you visit the northern areas, you will find that there are very few heat pumps. This is because they are less effective there. When the outside temperature falls below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat pump is unable to raise the internal temperature to a comfortable level.
When installing a heat pump in the cooler climates, you should equip it with auxiliary heating elements. The elements provide additional heat that brings the temperature inside the house to a normal level.
It’s common for you to install the elements and they fail to function. For you to avoid wasting money on useless elements, have them inspected and tested before the installation.
You need to take good care of the heat pump
For you to keep the unit in top shape you need to take good care of it. Proper heat pump maintenance starts with regular filter replacement. At least once a month, inspect the air filters and determine whether they are too dirty.
If they are, you simply need to clean them. In some cases, you find that they are too dirty or damaged for cleaning. In such a case, you need to replace them.
When replacing the air filters go with the blue or white fiberglass mesh type. While the pleated filters are of a higher quality, they tend to restrict proper air flow in the system making the heat pump work longer than it should.
You also should wash the fins on the condenser at least twice a year. This is to get rid of any dirt that might be on the units.
Finally, you should have preventative maintenance performed on your unit at least once a year. Here you need to hire a heat pump service Arlington VA provider or any other expert to inspect the appliance and fix any issues it might be having.
