Have you noticed that your heat pump isn’t working as efficiently as it used to? Well, there are a number of things you can do to change this. To help you out, here are tricks given by heat pump repair professionals on how to get your heat pump working like it used to when new:

Clean or replace the air filter

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of your heat pump. If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned the air filter, it might be time to do it. The cool thing is that you don’t need to spend money hiring a professional to do the cleaning—you can easily do it by yourself even if you have never done it before.

After you have switched off the heat pump, get a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment and use it to remove any dust or debris on the filter.

If your filter is too dirty, you might need to wash it with warm water and mild detergent. Once clean, let it dry, then carefully insert it back into the heat pump.

Sometimes you might find the filter too dirty or damaged for repair. In such a case, you have no other way out other than to replace it. For the best outcome, install a high-quality filter recommended in the manual.

Clear debris from around the outdoor unit

Again, if you have gone for a long time without paying attention to your unit, it’s common to have leaves, twigs, or other debris blocking the unit. To get your unit to function efficiently, you must remove the debris from your appliance.

After locating your outdoor unit, use a rake, broom, or any other tool to remove the twigs, leaves, and other debris. Of course, you should be ultra cautious when doing it to avoid damaging your appliance.

Besides getting rid of the debris, you also should check around and ensure that there is plenty of clearance around the outdoor unit to allow for proper airflow.

Check the refrigerant levels.

Low refrigerant levels can cause your heat pump to work harder and be less efficient. This means that you should check the levels and add more refrigerant to get your appliance running efficiently.

To check the refrigerant lines, you must access the refrigerant lines between the indoor and outdoor units. You also need access to the pressure gauges on the lines. These will usually be attached to the lines with a valve, allowing you to measure the pressure of the refrigerant inside the lines.

Once you have located the pressure gauges, you will need to attach a set of refrigerant gauges to the valves on the lines. This will allow you to accurately measure the refrigerant’s pressure in the system.

To check the refrigerant levels, turn off the power to the heat pump and open the valves on the pressure gauges. This will allow the refrigerant to flow into the gauges, and you can then read the pressure on the gauges to determine the refrigerant levels.

If the refrigerant levels are too low, you must add more refrigerant to the system. Unless you are experienced, you should leave this job to a trained professional, as adding refrigerant to a heat pump can be dangerous if not done properly.

Inspect and clean the evaporator and condenser coils

The evaporator and condenser coils are crucial in the heat pump’s cooling and heating processes. Over time, these coils can become dirty and coated with grime, reducing their efficiency. Clean the coils with a soft brush or cloth and a coil cleaning solution to remove dirt and grime.

Test the reversing valve

The reversing valve is a crucial component of the heat pump, allowing it to switch between heating and cooling modes. If the reversing valve is not working properly, the heat pump may not be able to switch modes effectively. Test the reversing valve to ensure it is functioning properly and have a heat pump repair service Long Beach professional, repair it if necessary.

Check and tighten electrical connections.

Loose electrical connections can cause your heat pump to malfunction and be less efficient. Inspect all electrical connections and tighten any that are loose.

Parting shot

By following these steps, you can help ensure that your heat pump works at its best and provides efficient heating and cooling for your home. Remember to perform regular maintenance and repairs to keep your heat pump in top condition.