Heat Pumps: Why Operation Matters
In previous articles, we discussed the importance of why quality, efficiency and size matters when choosing the right heat pump for your home. This article will share how proper operation and maintenance of your heat pump also matters.
‘Cold Climate’ Heat Pumps
When initially choosing a heat pump for your home, it’s important to select a model designed for cold climates—one that will continue to provide reliable heating even when outdoor temperatures drop to around -15ºC. Even in our mild local climate, we can experience cold snaps. During these times, having a cold climate heat pump ensures your home stays warm without needing to rely heavily on backup heating sources.
To lower your total heating and cooling costs, it is essential to have the heat pump provide as much of the heat required as possible, to reduce the need for back up or auxiliary heat to contribute. This back up heat is typically in the form of an electric heater or fossil fuel furnace.
Thermostats: Set it and Forget it
For newly installed systems, set the system for the temperature you want. Once it is set, don’t turn the temperature down (just a little or OFF) at night to save money. In the long run you will spend more!
Heat pumps are designed to efficiently maintain a steady temperature. When you lower the thermostat at night or turn the system off, the heat pump must work harder to bring your home back up to the desired temperature in the morning. This extra effort uses more energy than simply maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the night. As a result, any savings you might expect from turning the temperature down are often outweighed by the increased energy use required to reheat your home.
Tips for Cleaning
We recommend regular cleaning of the following:
- The Interior Air Handler: Dust and airborne oils will collect in all types of interior air handlers. The homeowner can customarily attend to that by replacing or cleaning the air filters.
- The Exterior Heat Pump: Pollen, which on Vancouver Island can be thick, along with dust in the air, will settle on the fine metal fins of the main condensing coil of the heat pump. As it settles or dries on the fins and coil, the ability of the heat pump to release heat in summer or absorb heat from the air in winter, reduces its efficiency. It is recommended that at least every year or two, allow Pacific Rim Heat Pumps to use the proper cleaning products necessary to keep the coils clean. On those occasions, both the electrical and refrigerant connections are also checked.
These cleaning or maintenance calls keep the heat pump working at maximum efficiency. A call can also illuminate any potential maintenance issues to be attended to.
Still have questions about how to operate your specific heat pump? Feel free to give us a call anytime.
