We harp on the importance of heating maintenance a lot on this site, but we do it for a good reason. Preventive heating maintenance is not only beneficial, but is absolutely necessary for maintaining a healthy heating system. That goes double for heat pumps, which need maintenance twice as often as other system types. If you don’t take good care of your heating system, you may find yourself replacing it many years sooner than you would have liked. Read on to find out what happens if you don’t have your heat pump professionally checked often enough.
Refrigerant Leaks
Like a lot of problems that can afflict heating systems, refrigerant leaks form fairly slowly. They also tend to be fairly small, and they’re caused by pitted corrosion in the copper piping of the line. Even a very minor leak can cause massive amounts of damage on a long enough timeline, though. One or two drops at a time, eventually the refrigerant level in the system will drop to the point that the heat pump’s output will drop. The system relies entirely on the refrigerant stores in order to function properly. If the refrigerant is not there, the system cannot heat or cool. Eventually, the refrigerant level will drop so low that the system will break down entirely. Your best bet for catching a refrigerant leak before that happens is to schedule a maintenance appointment twice a year.
Short Circuits
Heat pump maintenance doesn’t just involve checking out the mechanical aspects of the system. The electrical connections that run throughout the unit matter just as much. They can also develop problems, the same as any other electrical issue. Short circuits can cause the heat pump to short cycle, fail to start, or even spark fires. You should always make sure that your technician checks the electrical connections in the system during a maintenance appointment.
Defrost Cycle
This one can be pretty rare in a place like Florida, but it’s still something to be aware of. Because heat pumps sap thermal energy from the air around them when in heating mode, this can be a problem if the outside air is already quite cold. The added heat pump siphoning can actually drop the temperature of the air around the system below freezing, causing ice to form on the coil. Normally, the system has a defrost cycle to get rid of the ice. If the defrost cycle malfunctions, however, the ice buildup can eventually take over the entire system and cause some serious problems.
Bi-Annual Maintenance
Heat pumps are in use all year-round, unlike heaters and air conditioners. So, unlike heaters and air conditioners, a heat pump need maintenance twice a year instead of once a year. Make sure that you schedule heat pump maintenance at least once every spring and fall.
Climate Masters provides heat pump maintenance services throughout St. Johns, FL. If you need heat pump services of any kind, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll keep your heat pump in good condition.
