You’ll get better savings from your heat pump if you keep a clean air filter, inspect the ducts and operate it with the correct refrigerant level. Since we in South Texas depend on these appliances for much of the year, proper maintenance, either by you or your trusted professional, will ensure that your heat pump is operating efficiently.
These are three of the most important steps to lower your operating costs:
- Check the air filter for the air handler. When dirt and other materials accumulate on the filter, the efficiency of the whole system drops. Dirt inside the air handler can even cause water damage if it covers the evaporator coil. The coil can freeze and when the frost melts, it can cause the drain pain to back up and overflow, which can cause water damage in the immediate area and promote mold growth. A clogged filter contributes to increased wear and tear and can cause premature breakdown of the heat pump.
- Inspect the ductwork. If a room inside your home is hotter than normal, your ductwork may be to blame. Ducts develop leaks over time, and even new homes aren’t immune to them. These leaks can raise your electric bill by as much as 30 percent. If your ducts are easy to access, check the joints for a tight seal. Use mastic sealant rather than duct tape to seal them. Duct tape’s adhesive is short-lived, especially in our hot and humid climate. If the ducts are wrapped or hard to reach, contact an HVAC professional who can do the job for you.
- Check the refrigerant. HVAC technicians use pressure gauges to measure the refrigerant in your system. When the pressure is correct, you’ll get better savings from your heat pump. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 60 percent of cooling systems, including heat pumps, have improper refrigerant levels. Low levels also contribute to increased electrical consumption and system breakdowns.
If you need professional help to get better savings from your heat pump, contact Mathews CCAC Inc. We provide HVAC services for the Corpus Christi area and can help you with these tasks, along with providing other tips to increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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