Operating and Maintaining Your Heat Pump
Like all heating and cooling sys- tems, proper maintenance remains the The difference in electric use between a well-maintained heat pump and a severely neglected one ranges from 10 percent to 25 percent!
Remember not to set back a heat
pump’s thermostat if it causes any back- up heating system to kick on; they are usually more expensive to operate. Con- tinuous indoor fan operation can also hurt heat pump performance unless you motor. Operate your heat pump with the “auto” fan setting on your thermostat. month or as needed, and maintain the system according to manufacturer’s system performance and possibly dam- age the compressor. Clean outdoor coils whenever they appear dirty; occasion- ally, turn off power to the fan and clean it; remove vegetation and clutter from around the outdoor unit. Clean the
supply and return registers within your You should also have a professional technician service your heat pump at least every year. The technician should do the following:
- door coils for dirt and other obstructions Diagnose and seal duct leakage -
ment Verify correct refrigerant charge by measurement
Check for refrigerant leaks Inspect electric terminals, and, if
necessary, clean and tighten connec- tions, and apply non-conductive coating Lubricate motors and inspect belts for tightness and wear Verify correct electric control, mak- ing sure that heating is locked out when the thermostat calls for cooling and vice versa
Verify correct thermostat operation. To learn more about heat pumps, visit
www.energysavers.gov.
Lightning Season is Almost Here You can protect your home and your electronics from lightning strikes and power
surges this spring by adding two pieces of equipment. Lightning protection — like rooftop lightning rods — protects your home from bolts of lightning. Surge protection — like multi-plug power strips with surge protectors — pro- tects your home from electrical surges that enter the home through your electric and telephone lines. A good surge protector also can protect your home from lightning if it strikes nearly power lines or a utility transformer box and travels through the power lines to your home. And whole-house surge protection can cover all of your appliances and electronics instead of the individual ones you plug into a temporary protector. storms don’t damage your home or your expensive electronic equipment.
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