Operating and Maintaining Your Heat Pump

Proper operation of your heat pump will save energy. Do not set back the heat pump's thermostat if it causes the backup heating to come on -- backup heating systems are usually more expensive to operate. Continuous indoor fan operation can degrade heat pump performance unless your system uses a high-efficiency, variable-speed fan motor. Operate the system on the "auto" fan setting on the thermostat.

Like all heating and cooling systems, proper maintenance is key to efficient operation. The difference between the energy consumption of a well-maintained heat pump and a severely neglected one ranges from 10% to 25%.

Clean or change filters once a month or as needed, and maintain the system according to manufacturer's instructions. Dirty filters, coils, and fans reduce airflow through the system. Reduced airflow decreases system performance and can damage your system's compressor. Clean outdoor coils whenever they appear dirty; occasionally, turn off power to the fan and clean it; remove vegetation and clutter from around the outdoor unit. Clean the supply and return registers in your home, and straighten their fins if bent.

You should also have a professional technician service your heat pump at least every year. The technician can do the following:

Inspect ducts, filters, blower, and indoor coil for dirt and other obstructions
Diagnose and seal duct leakage
Verify adequate airflow by measurement
Verify correct refrigerant charge by measurement
Check for refrigerant leaks
Inspect electric terminals, and, if necessary, clean and tighten connections, and apply nonconductive coating
Lubricate motors, and inspect belts for tightness and wear
Verify correct electric control, making sure that heating is locked out when the thermostat calls for cooling and vice versa
Verify correct thermostat operation.

Why Should I Have Maintenance Done on My HVAC System?

You wouldn’t drive your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil. The same logic holds true for your home comfort system. Regular HVAC preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation and peak performance. Pre-season maintenance is also important. It can help to avoid a system failure in severe hot or cold weather when you need it most, and it can also keep your energy bill from getting out of control.

WHEN SHOULD I DO FURNACE MAINTENANCE?

The old adage is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Below you’ll find our Preventative Maintenance Checklist, which is our proven method to keep your system in the pink and your home in constant comfort.

»For a system that heats and cools: perform maintenance in the spring and fall

»For cooling system maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the cooling season

»For furnace maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating season.

Fight Fall Allergies and Save Energy by Checking Your HVAC System

The most common way to heat a house is with a furnace. And furnaces and air conditioners need their filters cleaned every couple of months. (How often you need to change them will depend on your filter and your furnace. You can see one person's cleaning ritual in this Energy Saver blog post from this spring.)

If your HVAC system is in dire straits, you may even want to clean out your HVAC ducts. This highly informative article from the EPA explains the entire process and explains when you may need to clean out your ducts and when you will not. They go to great pains to explain that just cleaning the dust out of your ducts will not necessarily increase the air quality in your home, though. And it certainly doesn't need to be part of your yearly home maintenance.

But no matter how you heat (or cool) your home, you want to make sure that the systems you're using have clean filters. This will ensure your appliances are working like they're supposed to. It could also help the air quality of your home, which will make life a little easier on those people among you who deal with allergies of any sort.

BUYING A NEW HVAC SYSTEM?

If you have an older central air conditioner, you might choose to replace the outdoor compressor with a high-efficiency unit, or replace the entire system.

Today's air conditioners use up to 40% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as those made just 10 years ago. Look for an ENERGY STAR rating and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or "SEER" that is above 13 (the higher, the better).

If possible, install your new unit in the shade, which can allow it to run 10% more efficiently.

HELP YOUR HVAC DO ITS JOB

To get the most bang from your HVAC buck, use these general energy-saving tips. They'll help you support your system and save energy around the house.

Get a programmable thermostat. It's easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat than a regular one because you don't have to think about it each time you want to change the temperature. You pre-program your settings so that the thermostat raises the temperature while you're at work and asleep, and kicks on the air conditioning when you're at home and awake. With "smart" programmable thermostats, you can even control the temperature from your smartphone.

Seal your heating/cooling ducts and any open spaces. Make sure doors, windows, and nooks and crannies are shut and properly sealed. The less cool air that escapes your home, the less energy you'll waste, and more comfortable you'll be.

Set your thermostat to your ideal temperature (not any colder). Setting the air conditioner to a colder-than-desired temperature doesn't cool down your house any quicker – it just keeps the unit working longer than necessary. So, set it to where you want it. And remember: You save up to 1% on your yearly cooling bill every time you raise the temperature by one degree for a period of eight hours. So, set it to around 78° - after all, it is summer!