Catch issues early and ensure heat pump efficiency with annual preventative maintenance

Preventative annual maintenance is crucial

Research has shown that the majority of breakdowns in heat pump systems are the result of poor maintenance.

What do you enjoy most about your ductless heat pump? The quiet whisper of the unit filtering out pesky allergens, mold, and odors? Ideal comfort in your home office, bedroom, and/or family room? The year-round savings on heating and cooling? It’s hard to choose just one… and you shouldn’t have to. As long as you keep up with preventative maintenance, you can enjoy comfort and savings for years to come. Like any well-kept HVAC system, proactivity is a simple yet crucial step that is easy to forget, and when omitted from the to-do list, can be detrimental to the efficiency of any HVAC system.  

Did you know that more than half of heat pump failures are due to poor maintenance? You see, most problems that develop with air conditioners, heaters, and heat pumps start out subtle. They are easy to miss because they don’t show any obvious signs. Often when we sense a problem or notice a warning sign, the damage has already been done. That is why we stress the importance of maintenance. Aside from keeping your heat pump running at optimal efficiency, annual maintenance prevents the buildup of dirt on the condenser coils, ensures the quality and effectiveness of filters, and prevents the buildup of organic material within your unit. Why is this important?

• Condenser coils: Cleaning the condenser coil improves the heat transfer efficiency between the refrigerant inside the coil and the ambient air outside. In heating mode, a dirty coil can cause more frequent defrost cycles that can lead to poor system performance and efficiency.

• Collection of organic material: Organic material includes dust, pet hair, dirt, plant matter, or other substances that inhibit the efficiency of your unit. This buildup can cause higher heating and cooling costs and poses threats to the quality of your air. Your unit is not constructed of organic components and they cannot produce this organic material.

• Filters: Standard filters within your unit are recommended by Mitsubishi to be cleaned every two weeks to ensure optimal efficiency. Because everyone’s home and use is a little different, we recommend cleaning the filters as often as they are visibly dirty. Dirty filters prevent your system’s ability to effectively reduce odors, bacteria, and other contaminants in the air.

Annual ductless heat pump maintenance

Pacific Northwest region

The maintenance recommended for HVAC systems is determined by the amount of demand that is placed on the system yearly. Here in the Pacific Northwest, most heaters and air conditioners primarily experience high demand during the winter season. This means that maintenance can be completed any time of the year to ensure that the system is in top condition to perform at the highest level.

We like to remind our clients that annual maintenance is as important as changing the oil in your car and will:

• Prolong the life of your equipment.

• Maintain system efficiency.

• Reduce power consumption.

• Reduce health risks.

• Lower the chance of emergency repairs.

• Maintain system warranty.

In closing

We want to remind our installation customers that yearly maintenance completed by Island Ductless Heat Pumps guarantees a five-year warranty on labor. This is in addition to the 12-year manufacturer’s warranty on parts. When you schedule annual maintenance with IDHP, you receive:

• Thorough cleaning of the outside units.

• Cleaning of coils inside all indoor and outdoor equipment.

• Inspection and cleaning of indoor unit filters.

• Organic filters checked and replaced if purchased.

• Inspection and testing of all equipment.

• New batteries in the remote control.

By purchasing our annual maintenance contract, you’ll receive multiple benefits, including:

• 15% discount off standard maintenance fees.

• 15% discount on all parts.

• 15% discount on labor.

• Become a priority customer for service calls.

• Service scheduled annually.

Preventative annual maintenance allows the technician to closely examine your system during the cleaning and testing process and catch any developing issues before they progress further and become costly. The earlier issues are caught, the cheaper they tend to be to fix. To schedule your appointment, email kimberly@islandheatpumps.com or give us a call at 360-321-4252. Visit Island Ductless Heat Pumps to learn more.