Heating with a heat pump is a highly energy-efficient way to keep your home warm in winter. It’s especially effective in homes built or renovated to take maximum advantage of the technology. But even if this isn’t the case, there are things you can do to make your house more efficient. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your heat pump this winter.
Clean Your Heat Pump Coil
If you own a heat pump, it’s essential to clean your coil at least once a year. This will help keep the unit running efficiently and prevent the buildup of bacteria and mold that could cost you more money to fix in the long run.
How often you should clean the unit depends on several factors. Still, if there’s excess dust or mold on the coil, or you feel that something is amiss with its operation (e.g., it’s not cooling as quickly as usual), then it’s probably time to get out your supplies and get to work on it.
Check Your Ductwork for Leaks
Climate change is here, bringing more extreme weather everywhere. Heat waves are becoming more common, and the United States has experienced 11 once-in-a-generation hurricanes in the last decade. It’s no surprise, then, that we’ll need to start thinking about being more energy efficient to keep our homes as comfortable as possible without breaking the bank.
For example, check your ductwork for leaks. If you live in a house with more than one floor, you probably realize by now that heat rises, so any air leaks around windows or doors on your first floor can cause cool air to leak out and warm air to leak in from below. While this isn’t a huge deal if it happens only during milder months, it can have a significant effect when temperatures start dropping into the 30s and 40s at night — especially if you have several leaks throughout your home.
Check and Replace the Air Filters Regularly
With winter upon us, we’re all looking for ways to keep our homes warm and toasty. You know that beautiful feeling you get as you walk into a warm house? Well, if you want your home to be filled with that feeling all the time, then you need to ensure that it’s warm and not just heated by a heater.
The easiest way to keep your heat pump working optimally is to check your air filter regularly, especially this time of year. In winter, it’s common for indoor air to contain more dust from dry skin and less moisture from humidity than in the summer, leading to clogged filters that reduce airflow and make it difficult for your heat pump to remove the cold from the inside effectively. This vicious cycle can lead to higher energy bills and even shorten the lifespan of your appliance. You can save money in the long run by changing or cleaning your filter every month, or even more often if necessary.
It’s no secret that heat pumps are a popular and cost-effective method of heating and cooling houses in the Santa Barbara, CA region. Since heat pumps serve as both heaters and air conditioners, you’ll need dependable technicians to keep your HVAC system in good working order all year long. Contact Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air for expert heat pump services.
