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In colder months, a heat pump extracts warmth from the chilly outdoor air and transfers it inside your home. During warmer seasons, this process is reversed to provide cooling.A heat pump not only provides warmth in winter but also cools your space in the summer. Unlike traditional heating methods, it doesn't burn fuel nor does it rely on heating elements for power. Instead, it works similarly to refrigerators and air conditioners, where a liquid absorbs heat as it turns into a gas and releases heat as it condenses back into a liquid.
In summer, the heat pump functions like a typical central air conditioner: it extracts heat from inside the house and expels it outdoors. A refrigerant liquid circulates through a coil, expanding and transforming into gas while absorbing heat from the air around it.
A blower then circulates air around the cooled coil through ducts and into your home. The heated gas moves through a compressor, where it is condensed, and finally exits through an external condenser coil, releasing the absorbed heat and reverting back to its liquid form.
In winter, the heat pump reverses its operation, drawing heat from the cold outside air and transferring it indoors. It operates most efficiently when outdoor temperatures range from 45°F to 50°F, but its performance decreases as temperatures drop further. In extremely cold conditions, an auxiliary electric heater is required to help supplement the heat pump's output.
Similar to conventional electric heating systems, this auxiliary unit can be costly to run. Therefore, in regions where winter temperatures consistently fall below freezing, a heat pump is not a practical solution. While it offers little advantage in areas that don't require air conditioning, it performs exceptionally well in warm to hot climates.
Regular maintenance of your heat pump is crucial. Small issues left unaddressed can escalate into costly compressor failures later on. Because heat pump maintenance is more specialized than standard heating systems, it's recommended to seek the help of a professional when problems arise. However, you can extend its lifespan by keeping the filter clean and ensuring there are no obstructions to air flow.
Proper outdoor maintenance of your heat pump is equally important. The next section will guide you through the steps for maintaining this part of the system.
Outdoor Maintenance for a Heat Pump
Regularly replace the filters, and clean and lubricate the parts of your heat pump. Like central air conditioners, heat pumps feature an outdoor unit containing a compressor, a coil, a fan, and other components. For optimal performance, this unit should be kept free of debris such as leaves and dirt, and it must sit level on its concrete support pad.
Clear pine needles, leaves, and dirt from the updraft fan by removing the grille, which is secured with retaining screws. Ensure the unit's power is turned off before beginning any cleaning. You can sometimes use a vacuum hose to reach between the fan blades to clear debris from the sides and bottom of the unit.
At the start of each heating season, place a carpenter's level across the top of the metal cabinet and check for levelness both side to side and front to back. If the unit is off-level, use a pry bar or a 2x4 to lift the pad back into position. Then, level it by adding stone or crushed rock underneath. Also inspect the piping insulation for damage, and replace any deteriorated sections with new insulation, available from heating supply stores. Installation instructions are usually included by the manufacturer.
Power interruptions are a common issue, but you can resolve this problem by following the steps outlined in the next section.
Heat Pump Power Interruptions
If a heat pump has been off for over an hour due to a blown fuse, tripped circuit breaker, or power outage, it should not be turned on for six to eight hours, especially if the temperature is 50°F or lower.
The lubricant in the pump's oil reservoir might be too cool to circulate correctly, potentially causing damage to the unit's valves. Instead, switch the heat pump to emergency heat mode. This will turn off the pump and prevent it from operating.
Keep the pump in emergency heat mode for about six to eight hours, then return it to its regular heating setting. If the pump still generates little or no heat, contact a professional technician for repairs.
No matter the issue with your heat pump, at any time of the year, solutions can be found in this article.
Publications International, Ltd.
