Heat pumps are a fantastic all-around heating and cooling solution for our climate. But for a lot of people, they’re a new option. If you’ve just gotten one, or are considering it, there might be some things you don’t know. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers for you.
Heat pumps don’t have the same sort of components as furnaces. In fact, even though you can use them to heat your home, they’re almost identical to air conditioners in most ways. Does that mean they have the same needs, or can encounter the same problems? Mostly! But some of the maintenance or repairs that heat pumps require can be different from what air conditioners need. Here are the details.
Refrigerant Flow
Heat pumps and air conditioners both function on the same principle. Refrigerant flows through coils from one location to another. At point A, the refrigerant, which changes temperature very easily, absorbs heat. At point B, that heat is released. In order to keep that flow going, the refrigerant needs to be pressurized. This is done by a compressor in the outdoor unit.
Air Flow
Whatever temperature air you are trying to achieve, it won’t do you much good if it doesn’t get spread out throughout your home. If you have a ducted system, similar to a traditional central air conditioner, there’s one indoor unit. From there, the air is pushed by fans through the ducts.
In a ductless system, there are multiple indoor units. These are called air handlers. Refrigerant coils cool or heat air right there, in the air handler, as it is being blown out into your home. In this way, it’s kind of like a tankless or on-demand water heater.
Maintenance
All heat pumps and air conditioners, ductless or ducted, have air filters that need to be cleaned or changed out. This should be done monthly when the system is being used a lot. It can be done every few months when the system is only being used occasionally.
In addition to that DIY task, there is maintenance for either system which must be done by a qualified technician. Cleaning, lubricating, inspecting, and testing all the components is a job for a pro. An air conditioner is only used for part of the year, and can have maintenance done annually. But a heat pump is used all year long, and gets twice the wear and tear. It needs twice-a-year maintenance.
Repair
Most of the things that can go wrong with a heat pump will have the same warning signs as AC problems. Unusual noises or smells, poor air circulation or uneven temperatures, rising electric bills, or short, rapid cycling of the system all indicate that it’s time to have a technician take a look.
The one thing that can happen with a heat pump that’s not possible with an air conditioner is a problem with the reversing valve, a component that AC units don’t have. If it gets stuck in one position, the heat pump may refuse to switch modes. If you can’t get your heat pump to change over to the function you need, it’s time for heat pump repair in Calhoun, LA.
Contact Mike Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC. We provide “Professional grade service.”