How to Prep Your Heat Pump for Extreme Heat

Heat pumps are among the most efficient cooling options available. However, extreme heat can place significant strain on your heat pump. To be sure it’s ready to handle whatever summer has in store, some preparation is in order. Here’s how to get your heat pump ready for extreme summer heat.

Change Your Heat Pump Air Filter

Heat pump performance relies on two things. One is its refrigerant system. The other is proper airflow across its coils. Your heat pump’s indoor air handler has a disposable air filter in it to keep dirt out of its inner workings. That helps keep the indoor coil clean and supports efficient heat transfer. However, if you neglect to change the filter often enough, it can become an airflow impediment. Most heat pumps need a new air filter every 90 days. If yours is older than that, replace it before the cooling season begins in earnest.

Clean Around Your Outdoor Unit

Your heat pump also has a large coil in its outdoor unit. That coil is what releases the heat that’s collected inside your home. Like the indoor coil, it depends on ample airflow to work optimally. So, you should make a point of cleaning up the area around your outdoor unit. You should remove any debris or detritus that has collected there over the winter and spring. Ideally, you want about two feet of unobstructed space on all sides of your outdoor unit.

Schedule a Maintenance Visit

For optimal performance, your heat pump needs annual professional maintenance. Ideally, you need two maintenance visits per year. One is to prepare your heat pump for the cooling season. During a maintenance visit, your heat pump undergoes a thorough inspection. The technician will look for signs of unusual wear or lingering issues harming performance. If they spot anything, they’ll let you know and discuss repair options. Otherwise, they’ll move on to some additional maintenance tasks.

Heat pump maintenance includes a cleaning of your indoor and outdoor coils. That’s to ensure the airflow you’ve carefully preserved can reach the metal coil surfaces. The technician will also check your heat pump’s refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant levels point to a leak, which will hamper your heat pump’s performance and shorten its lifespan. If necessary, the technician will inform you of the need for a leak repair and perform it with your permission. Then, they’ll refill your system to the proper refrigerant level. They’ll also tighten your heat pump’s electrical connections to help support reliable operation.

Taking the appropriate steps to prepare your heat pump for the summer heat to come is a wise move. That way, you can enjoy perfect comfort while keeping cooling costs as low as possible. Best of all, the process is easy to accomplish if you get started right away. If you live in Santa Barbara, CA or a surrounding area and need heat pump services, make your first call to Crocker Refrigeration Heating and Air.