Fall is a good time to get a check-up on your heat pump, before the cold Kansas-Missouri nights that are not far ahead. Your heat pump likely is still cooling your Kansas City area home, but before long, it will switch over to its heating mode. Fall preventive maintenance can save you a bundle on costly repairs and heating expenses this winter.

Do-it-yourself maintenance includes the following checklist.

• Clean, inspect and replace. Once each month inspect the air filter, then replace it as needed.
• Dust registers regularly.
• Clear vents and registers by moving furniture or anything else blocking airflow.
• Clear yard debris such as grass clippings and weeds from the area around the outside condensing unit. This will improve airflow.

Semi-annual preventive heat pump maintenance by a qualified HVAC technician should cover the following.

• Check refrigerant level. If your refrigerant is low, it will reduce heat pump efficiency and eventually damage the system. It may also signal a leak in the line, something that will need to be addressed immediately.
• Thermostat inspection. Check programmable thermostat settings to make sure they will keep you comfortable when in use and save money when you’re away from home or sleeping.
• Inspect and clean both the inside and outside coils. A dirty coil can impede the essential heat-exchange process in a heat pump.
• Check and adjust airflow. Heat pumps require carefully calibrated airflow to work properly. Ducts should be inspected as well.
• Lubricate moving parts. Parts causing friction can increase electricity use, causing your heat pump to work harder and cost more to keep you comfortable.
• Cycle check from starting to shutdown to ensure your equipment operates as it should.

For more advice about keeping your heat pump in great shape, please contact us at Overland Park Heating & Cooling, Inc. We have been keeping home and business owners comfortable in the Greater Kansas City area since 1983.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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