A clean heat pump works better, lasts longer

A clean heat pump works better, lasts longer

A clean heat pump works better, lasts longer

Remember your heat pump when you make a list of items that will benefit from spring cleaning.

 

A professional cleaning will help the system operate better year-round, delivering energy efficiency and keeping indoor air clean and comfortable.

 

A valuable bonus: Just as with a car, a clean, well-maintained heat pump can work years longer than a dirty, neglected heat pump.

 

MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

Heat pumps don’t get a big break in spring or fall as they once did; since those seasons now are less temperate, people run heat pumps more often and longer than they once did.

 

Seven of the hottest U.S. summers have all occurred in the last seven years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

 

New Yorkers will remember last summer in the city when we had 17 days with the temperature at 90 degrees or higher. And don’t forget the heat waves, defined as three days in a row when temps reach 90 degrees or warmer. New York City had three heat waves — two last June and one last August.

 

Another reason to clean: Particles from dirty heat pump systems can circulate inside your home, hurting your air quality.

 

CLEANING IS IN-DEPTH

We clean the entire system because a build-up of contaminants decreases the available surface area for heat transfer, a key function of heat pumps.

 

Each piece of a heat pump has its own cleaning requirements, which are outlined in the manufacturer’s maintenance manual.

 

Our well-trained technicians follow the regimens carefully, from condenser coils to filter to louvers to fins. Special tools allow them to straighten bent fins, capture dirt, and access hard-to-reach components. They disassemble parts to make sure all areas are cleaned thoroughly.

 

The payoff: Your system delivers cooler, cleaner air for you and your family.

 

COILS NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION

Dirty condenser and evaporator coils can cripple any heat pump.

 

A combination of debris, dust, and humidity creates accumulations of dirt that settle on the coils and elsewhere. One study found that dirty condenser coils reduce cooling capacity by as much as 40% and cut energy efficiency by as much as 60%.

 

We use tools and non-toxic cleaning agents to loosen, capture and remove the dirt. When recommended, we disassemble components and clean their insides.

 

Our list also includes cleaning valves, speed blowers, motors and compressors, and other parts.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Homeowners can replace filters every month or so to help the heat pump function at full speed.
  • Homeowners can create an open space around the outside unit to minimize the chances of debris getting inside or bushes interfering with operations. Check the unit periodically to ensure that leaves, grass clippings and flowers aren’t getting inside it.