You probably do a lot to get the exterior of your home ready for cooler temps. There’s professional lawn care, raking and the list could get much longer from there. But there’s another aspect essential outside your residence that often gets ignored.

Your heat pump works hard throughout the summer and winter to keep your residence cozy. And all that extended work calls for some thorough service to make sure it gives efficient, stress-free comfort.

So, you could be wondering, how often should you service your heat pump in Sacramento? Is it essential if it’s new or working properly? Let’s discuss why heat pump maintenance is needed and how frequently you should schedule it.

Why Heat Pump Tune-Ups are Needed

Your heat pump is critical for keeping your household cozy during the year. With regular tune-ups, you’ll receive trouble-free comfort no matter the weather. But if you don’t do skilled maintenance, your heat pump can turn dirty.

A heat pump that needs service can suffer from poor performance, which can make your heating and cooling expenses higher. It may even frost over, interrupting your family’s comfort. You could even get left with a pricey repair bill that, in many instances, could have been unnecessary.

One of the most crucial parts of service you can complete yourself is installing a new air filter. If the filter gets too filthy, your heat pump could begin to start more often, which is called short cycling. Not only does this drive up your electrical bills, it can also shorten your heat pump’s lifetime because it’s running a lot.

If you choose a flat filter, our pros recommend getting a new one each month. If you have a pleated filter, those typically last up to three months. A simple approach to learn whether your filter needs replacing is by getting it out and holding it up to daylight. If you don’t notice any light, you should install a new one.

However, how frequently you need to get a new filter is contingent upon a couple of things: how constantly your heat pump is running, if you have dogs or cats and if anyone has allergies. Our Bishop’s HVAC professionals can help if you are unsure how regularly you should change your filter or what the right style is for your family.

How Regularly You Need Heat Pump Tune-Ups

Heat pumps vary from air conditioners or furnaces, because they operate throughout the year. For that reason, we recommend doing heat pump maintenance in Sacramento biannually, typically during the spring and fall.

That way, you’ll have a head start on the cooling and heating seasons. And you’ll have time to get any needed repairs wrapped up in advance of needing your heat pump. Routine maintenance also keeps your manufacturer’s warranty ongoing, which is important if your heat pump is new.

In addition to installing a new air filter and keeping clear space by your heat pump outside, we don’t recommend doing heat pump maintenance on your own. Your heat pump is a complex piece of equipment that should get support from a qualified heating and cooling specialist.

All our friendly Bishop’s HVAC specialists have gone through comprehensive education to meet your family’s needs. They’re also fully licensed and insured, which means your heat pump is in experienced hands.

Here is some of the work we’ll do on our maintenance visit:

  • Examine your ducts, blower and indoor coil for dirt or other grit that can inpact heating and cooling.
  • Double-check correct refrigerant levels and check for any leaks.
  • Inspect and fix electrical junctions.
  • Oil motors and belts.
  • Test total heat pump operation for safety and good comfort.

This week is a good time to book your heat pump maintenance appointment with Bishop’s HVAC. Our technicians are here to support you with energy-efficient, worry-free comfort. Contact us at 916-591-6889 to schedule your appointment now, and make sure to browse at our offers for exclusive discounts on your upcoming maintenance appointment.