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Much of the maintenance required for your heat pump can be done yourself with the help of a step stool & hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner. 

Follow these steps to maintain your heat pump for maximum energy savings and comfort: 

  • Keep the indoor unit free of dust and dirt on the top 
  • Keep the indoor unit filters clean 
  • Ensure the outdoor unit is kept clear of tall grass, leaves and other yard debris during the spring, summer & fall 
  • Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow during the winter 

Heat Pump Maintenance Routine

Here is a simple maintenance routine to follow throughout the year to ensure your ductless heat pump is working at its optimum. 

Monthly 

  • Each month check the filters of your indoor unit. Rinse them off if needed and wipe clean the top of the indoor unit with a dry or slightly damp rag. 
  • Air returns at the top of your indoor heat pump unit and the filters inside catch any dust that may be in the air. Over time the dust and dirt will build up on these filters and will affect the performance and airflow of your system. Vacuum any visible dust & dirt. 
  • If too much dust accumulates on the filters it will begin to build-up on the coil of the indoor unit. This will lead to a more expensive deep clean of the machine. 
  • Cleaning your filters every two or three months is adequate; all homes are different. We advise starting with a monthly cleaning in the beginning. 

 

Seasonally 

  • Especially between Winter & Spring, and Fall & Winter you should inspect your outdoor unit for yard debris, tall grass, leaves, etc. Regularly weed or mow the area to ensure the system can operate without obstruction. Clear away anything that could get caught up in the fan. Clean any dirt or mud with a garden hose if needed. 
  • During winter, after each snowfall, check your outdoor heat pump unit to ensure there has not been any drifting or snow accumulation in front of your outdoor unit. 
  • Snow buildup around the outdoor unit starves the machine of air. This often leads to the machine freezing up or worse, a failure of the fan motor. 
  • Simply clear away any snow that builds up around the machine each time you’re shovelling your driveway to avoid any issues. 

 

Annually 

  • Once every 12-18 months it’s a good idea to have your contractor inspect the operation of your machine, check connections and wires and give the machine an overall look. 
  • Although you regularly clean the air filters of your device, over time dust will accumulate in the fan (blower wheel) and the coil of the indoor unit. This accumulation affects the efficiency of ventilation and the transfer of cold or heat from the indoor coil. 

 

Is your unit experiencing any of these symptoms? Time to contact your heat pump contractor for a deep cleaning of your unit: 

  • Decrease in device performance, ex. less heat or air conditioning than before 
  • Presence of trash visible to the naked eye (mildew and dust) 
  • Fan louder than before 
  • Water flowing 
  • Small balls of debris discard by the device 
  • Odours 

Heat Pump and Ice

It is normal for surfaces of the heat pump to periodically be covered in a white layer of frost. This layer should be thin and melt as the heat pump goes through a defrost cycle.

What to do if your Heat Pump outdoor unit has excessive ice buildup on the coil? 

  1. Turn off indoor unit using your remote control. 
  2. Find the breakers or fuses on the electrical panel that are associated with the indoor and outdoor unit, then turn off the breakers or remove fuses. 
  3. Leave breakers off or fuses removed for at least 30 minutes. 
  4. With the power to the Heat Pump turned off, pour hot water on the ice until it is all gone. Do not pick at the ice with a tool, as this could damage the coil. Avoid pouring water on any electrical or electronic components as these could be damaged. 
  5. Once the ice is all gone, turn the breakers back on or insert the fuses back into the panel and wait another 30 minutes before turning the indoor unit back on. 
  6. Once you’ve waited the 30 minutes, turn on the indoor unit with the remote. It will take approximately 10 minutes for the unit to generate heat. 
  7. If the unit is only generating cold air, it could be related to the outdoor temperature being too cold and the system is unable to generate heat. 
  8. If the temperature is fairly mild and still no heat is being produced, then a service call by a certified HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) technician may be required.