In honor of Expertise.com just awarding us the Best Heat Pump Contractor in the Raleigh Area for 2023 (click here to see our full profile), we’ve compiled a list of things heat pump owners need to be on the lookout for during the winter months. If you have a heat pump, read on to learn tips for ongoing maintenance and when it’s time to call in the pros!
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Most outside units are located directly under gutters. If your gutters get clogged during the cooler months, cold water can drip down onto the unit and cause it to freeze from the top down. We strongly recommend homeowners keep their gutters clear to prevent otherwise avoidable issues.
Lookout for a Higher Than Normal Electricity Bill
A higher than normal electricity bill can indicate the strip heat is running more than normal. There are several causes, but the most common cause is low refrigerant. If you see lines of frost on the outside unit or the unit is a block of ice, call our office at (919) 798-4455 right away!
You Should Not Feel Cool Air Coming Out of Your Vents
Although it is normal for the outside unit to go into defrost cycle every 30/60/90 minutes of run time (in which the outside fan stops and you may hear the reversing valve switch over to AC mode), you should NOT feel cool air coming out of your vents at any time, including during the defrost cycle. Contact our office anytime you feel cool air coming out of your vents; it is likely that your auxiliary heat or strip heat may not be working as it should.
It is always better to be safe than sorry! Don’t hesitate to call our office if you have any questions about your heating system. Most costly repairs could have been prevented with seasonal maintenance checks. If you haven’t scheduled your fall HVAC maintenance yet, it is not too late! We still have a few appointments left. Call (919) 798-4455 for answers to your questions or to get on our schedule. Our highly trained office staff are standing by. We look forward to hearing from you!