How Often Should You Tune Up Your Heat Pump?

You likely do a lot to get the exterior of your home ready for colder weather. There’s specialized lawn care, raking and the list could go on and on. But there’s another thing essential outside your home that often gets ignored.

Your heat pump operates throughout the summer and winter to keep your family comfortable. And all that extended work requires some comprehensive service to make sure it offers efficient, stress-free comfort.

So, you might be questioning, how often should you work on your heat pump in Portland? Is it necessary if it’s new or working correctly? Let’s go over why heat pump maintenance is critical and how frequently you should book it.

Why Heat Pump Maintenance is Needed

Your heat pump is critical for keeping your loved ones comfy throughout any kind of weather. With annual maintenance, you’ll get worry-free comfort regardless of the temps. But if you neglect skilled maintenance, your heat pump can become dirty.

A heat pump in need of a tune-up can be burdened with decreased performance, which can make your energy expenses higher. It may even freeze up, disrupting your family’s comfort. You may even get stuck with a costly repair bill that, in most cases, could have been unnecessary.

One of the most important pieces of upkeep you can complete on your own is getting a fresh air filter. If the filter gets too dirty, your heat pump may begin to switch off and on more frequently, which is called short cycling. Not only does this affect your heating and cooling costs, it can also shorten your heat pump’s life span because it’s running a lot.

If you install a flat filter, our pros recommend getting a new one every month. If you use a pleated filter, those typically last up to three months. A fast approach to figure out whether your filter should be replaced is by pulling it out and tilting it to sunlight. If you don’t see any light, it’s time to install a new one.

However, how often you need to change your filter hinges on a few details: how often your heat pump is operating, if you have pets and if anyone suffers from allergies. Our Three Rivers Heating and Cooling professionals can help if you aren’t sure how frequently you should add a new filter or what the ideal kind is for your home.

How Regularly You Require Heat Pump Maintenance

Heat pumps differ from air conditioners or furnaces, since they operate during every season. That being so, we advise booking heat pump maintenance in Portland twice a year, usually during the spring and fall.

That way, you’ll have a head start on the cooling and heating seasons. And you’ll have time to schedule any needed repairs done before you really need your heat pump. Frequent service also keeps your manufacturer’s warranty in place, which is essential if your heat pump was recently installed.

In addition to putting in a clean air filter and keeping clear area by your heat pump outside, we don’t suggest tackling heat pump maintenance by yourself. Your heat pump is a complex appliance that needs assistance from a knowledgeable heating and cooling specialist.

All our friendly Three Rivers Heating and Cooling techs have completed detailed training to meet your needs. They’re also totally licensed and insured, which means your heat pump is in experienced hands.

Here is some of the work we’ll complete on our tune-up visit:

• Check your ducts, blower and indoor coil for dirt or other accumulation that can influence heating and cooling.
• Double-check correct refrigerant levels and look for any leaks.
• Inspect and tighten electrical connections.
• Oil motors and belts.
• Check complete heat pump operation for safety and outstanding comfort.

Now is a fantastic time to book your heat pump maintenance appointment with Three Rivers Heating and Cooling. Our techs are here to support you with energy-efficient, headache-free heating and cooling. Contact us at (503) 739-5400 to request your appointment today, and make sure to look at our offers for exclusive discounts on your future maintenance appointment.