Routine Maintenance Keeps Your Home Heat Pump in Good Shape

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Your heat pump’s efficiency affects your energy bills during the Cincinnati area’s snowy winters, as well as the hot, humid summers. Skip regular heat pump maintenance and you could see your system’s efficiency drop as much as 25 percent.

Care for the Air Filter

As the heat pump’s air filter traps debris, the filter becomes increasingly dirty. The dirtier the filter, the less air that gets through, forcing the blower motor to work harder and use more energy to draw in the amount of air the system requires.

This restricted airflow also places a potentially damaging strain on heat pump components. To prevent this, check the air filter monthly and change it as soon as dirt begins accumulating.

Maintain the Coils

Dirt, leaves, grass clippings and other debris stuck to your outdoor unit interfere with airflow, reducing the system’s efficiency. Periodically remove debris with a soft brush. At least once a year, wash down the fins using a gentle stream of water from a garden hose.

Ensure Professional Maintenance

Basic DIY heat pump maintenance helps, but to reach top efficiency, your system needs annual professional care. An experienced HVAC technician can clean and tune up components you can’t access, as well as spot developing problems. During an annual evaluation, your technician can:

  • Lubricate the motor and compressor
  • Check for duct blockages and leaks
  • Test the refrigerant charge
  • Inspect electrical connections for looseness or damage
  • Check the thermostat and controls

All of these areas affect your heat pump’s efficiency. For example, a lack of lubrication causes friction that decreases efficiency and leads to excessive wear. Loose electrical connections are not just fire hazards; they also cause resistance that increases the system’s electricity use. Low refrigerant impairs the system’s ability to move heat and suggests the presence of a dangerous leak.

For more about annual heat pump maintenance for your Cincinnati home, contact Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing to schedule an appointment.

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"Ernie & Mike did a superb job on my new furnace and A/C installation. Despite having more than a day’s work to do, they came in and stayed until the job was done. They were organized, efficient, and protected the rest of the house well. Got both furnace and A/C installed the same day. Ernie was courteous, informative, and clearly knew his job better than anyone I’ve encountered before. The units look so good guests now get The Tour of our new system. Apollo is clearly not a fly-by-night company. I would recommend them to anyone in need of a new furnace and/or A/C."
- Jerry A.
"I called Apollo because of a water leak I thought I had in our upstairs shower going into the kitchen. Robbie came and assured me everything was fine & looked at all the other plumbing. He ended up changing a few pipes for our washer & clearing a drain. He was very nice & knowledgeable with all my questions. I ended up signing up for the care plan & was very happy with my service."
- Cassandra B.
"The team at Apollo exceeded my expectations. As a business owner, my attention to the details and commitment to providing excellent service is high. From the sales rep. to the installation team, everyone’s performance was outstanding. For example, the installation team went to great lengths to protect our floors, placing floor runners and across the wood floors and up the stairs. They even were spot washing walls upon their departure. I highly recommend this company."
- Randy B.
"We scheduled an estimate AND a tune-up. We knew something was wrong with our furnace, but hoped we could make it through the rest of the season. Upon telling Bill what our furnace was doing, he warned us immediately what the possible outcome was going to be; a cracked heat exchanger. He watched the flames roll backward, tested carbon monoxide levels, which were so high they meter’s last reading was 5,600 before saying “high”. He immediately shut it down, tagged it, and explained that with levels that high and children in our home he wanted off right away. He continued his inspection and showed us via a camera that not only was it cracked in multiple places, but had holes all over it. He gave us a few options for repairing it; his knowledge as well as genuine concern was beneficial and refreshing. Luckily we also scheduled an estimator, Micah, to come too and we were able to get costs between repairing and replacing (with several options). We decided to replace with a much higher efficiency furnace and one sized properly to our home. Hands down, not only did they both provide us great service and knowledge, but without sounding dramatic, they may have saved our lives. This was our first time calling Apollo, but it won’t be our last."
- Sarah B.
"Apollo is an excellent company. I always receive great service. Alex A. was professional and friendly. He kept me informed during the process of checking my furnace and heat pump to make sure they were working properly. The company makes sure you are notified who is coming and when they are on the way. All my interactions with the company have been wonderful."
- Beverly S.
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