Heat Pump User Tip: Heat Pump Maintenance

Mainers have installed tens of thousands of heat pumps in their homes and businesses because they are the most efficient way to heat and cool a building, saving users on their energy costs throughout the entire year.*

If you’ve made the investment, or are considering it, we’d like to share some tips on how you can save the most with a heat pump. In our last user tip blog post, we discussed how to optimize your heat pump’s airflow direction and fan speed. This fifth post in our series talks about best practices for heat pump maintenance. 

As we approach fall, we want to give you some tips on how to maintain your heat pump so it can continue to keep you comfortable throughout the year.  

First, we recommend that you clean your heat pump’s dust filters.** The frequency of cleaning can range from weeks to months depending on use and dust volume. An easy way to clean your heat pump’s dust filters is to vacuum or rinse them whenever they become visibly dusty or when the indicator light comes on. Heat pumps work best when dust filters are clean, meaning that regularly cleaned dust filters help save you the most energy and money. Consider checking your heat pump’s dust filters once a month to see if they need cleaning. 

Accessing your heat pump’s dust filters requires opening up the front of your heat pump and removing the filters. Your heat pump’s user manual should include more detailed instructions on how to do this for the specific model you have.

We also recommend that you keep your outdoor unit clear of anything that may be obstructing the airflow of the unit. It’s best to keep shrubs away from outdoor units and to remove leaves that may become stuck in them, being careful not to bend the fins. Additionally, we recommend clearing snow drifts away from outdoor units (although don’t worry about snow and ice accumulation on the outdoor unit itself, as heat pumps automatically defrost). Consider checking your outdoor unit periodically and clearing away any snow, plants, leaves, or debris that may impede airflow.

Lastly, we recommend that you have your heat pump professionally serviced every year or two to maintain optimum efficiency and energy savings. To ensure peak performance, follow manufacturers’ recommendations for professional servicing in addition to regular filter cleaning. Heat pumps collect more dirt in the summer, so it’s best to have them serviced in the fall.

Keeping your heat pump well maintained can optimize its efficiency and your energy savings, as well as extend its lifespan. It may also help save you money for many years to come.

Efficiency Maine offers rebates and loans for homeowners and businesses interested in installing heat pumps. If you don’t have a heat pump, go to https://www.efficiencymaine.com/about-heat-pumps/ for more information on how to select a model, apply for rebates and financing, review installation considerations, and more. Also check https://www.efficiencymaine.com/heat-pump-user-tips/ to see more tips like this one and to view a video on how to get the most from your heat pump. To estimate your home heating costs, consider using our Home Heating Costs Calculator.

* Efficiency Maine Trust, 2021 Annual Report, (2021) p vii. 
** Referring to a heat pump indoor unit

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