HVAC systems don’t come cheap. They are some of the most significant investments you make for your home. That’s why using them properly and giving them the care they deserve will help protect your investment. Your heat pump is an energy-efficient way to provide you with comfortable temperatures during mild weather, like fall. But there are right and wrong ways to use it. So, in this blog, we will give you some tips you can follow to ensure your heat pump works as effortlessly as possible, making sure it stays useful for many years.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted HVAC company in Maple Grove MN. We are experts at helping homeowners like you maintain their furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps and extend their lifespan. Here are useful tips you might want to take a look at.
Use it year-round.
High-efficiency heat pumps are the most economical way to provide heating to your home or remove heat from your living space. Even during the coldest nights, you can still use your heat pump in conjunction with your furnace, allowing you to lower your thermostat settings, saving energy in the process. When it gets chilly, it is cheaper to run both the furnace and heat pump at moderate settings than cranking up your furnace alone.
Use it first before your furnace.
Since your heat pump is more efficient than your furnace, it makes sense to use it first. This may require you to set the heat pump thermostat higher than your furnace thermostat to make sure your heat pump runs first before your other heating system.
Set the temperature and let it do its job.
In terms of reading the temperature of a room, a heat pump works differently compared to other heating systems. If you lower the temperature when you’re away or asleep may actually use more energy than not making any changes at all. It’s best to set your heat pump to a comfortable temperature and make precise adjustments over a few days until you’ve reached your desired setting. Then, leave it that way.
Normally, the backup heating unit automatically starts when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. To increase your system’s efficiency, set the thermostat to 68 to 70 degrees during the cold season and 78 to 80 when the days are hot. This set up will enable your thermostat to work without triggering the automatic start of the backup heating system.
Restart it properly.
In case of a power outage of more than 30 minutes, you will need to manually restart the heat pump. While the power is still out, you can use the system’s emergency heat. When power comes back, wait for about an hour before programming the heat pump to its normal setting. The refrigerant may need to heat up first before turning the unit back to a normal setting.
Steer clear from the auto mode.
When the heat pump is set on auto mode, the unit will run on heat or cool depending on the room and set temperatures. This should be avoided as this can cause the system to heat on a cool summer night or cool on a sunny winter day.
Use the fan wisely.
You can minimize your heat pump’s wear and tear by optimizing its fan speed. Start by setting the fan on auto mode. See if it spreads the heated or cooled air evenly. If not, set the speed to the lowest level that will meet your comfort needs. This setting will allow your heat pump to work with less pressure, which extends its life.
Manage the filters.
Your heat pump is equipped with filters to capture dust and dirt. It will work best if it has clean filters, so vacuum or rinse the filters whenever they need cleaning. Some units have indicator lights, telling you it’s time to clean the filters. Keeping the filters clean is perhaps the easiest way to prolong your heat pump’s lifespan because it eliminates foreign objects that hamper proper airflow.
Professional Heat Pump Maintenance with Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
For best results, schedule an annual tune-up with one of our teams of experts. We will give your heat pump a thorough cleaning, lubricate when needed, make sure it has the right refrigerant charge, and others. We are your reliable Plymouth heating and air conditioning company.