When your heat pump is idling and giving off an unpleasant odor, it is usually a sign of poor maintenance. Did you know that the performance of a heat pump or air conditioner can be reduced by up to 50% when not maintained? If you do not take care of your equipment, you risk increasing your power consumption and causing premature wear and tear on your unit.
Systematic maintenance prolongs the life of the device while optimizing its performance. To help you maintain your heat pump, we’ve created a list of the steps to follow to clean it and shared some useful information.
Steps to follow to clean your heat pump
For someone who has no difficulty distinguishing the parts of a heat pump, it is not difficult to maintain the unit. However, if you don’t know where to start, it’s best to contact a team that specializes in cleaning and decontamination. Here are the basic steps to follow to clean your heat pump:
1. Clean the air filters
The filter for a heat pump is as important as the oil for an engine. Regular maintenance of the filter avoids reducing the air flow of the device. Filters trap dust and pollen, so by filtering the air in a room, the air conditioning system accumulates a huge amount of airborne particles. Here are some steps to take to clean the filters:
- Open the air conditioner cover: before you start, be sure to turn off your air conditioner. Open the front cover manually. The air filters are accessible as soon as the hood is opened.
- Detach the air filters: you don’t need any tools to extract the filters. The extraction is done easily, you simply have to unclip the filters from their bases.
- Dust the air filter: gently tap the filters and manually remove the dust piles stuck to the grilles. You can use a vacuum cleaner to make sure you remove all dust residue.
- Rinse the air filter: finish rinsing the filter in a basin of lukewarm water. You can brush with a sponge and soap to get rid of the last particles of dust. Rinse again with water and allow the filters to air dry.
2. Replace the disposable filters
Remember to replace disposable filters or activated carbon filters once or twice a year to avoid unpleasant odors. This filter is characterized by an extremely porous wall so it helps maintain a good smell. Most air conditioners open from the front and provide easy access to the filter, so simply remove it and replace it with an identical model.
3. Clean the indoor unit
A heat pump is a device that can serve as both an air conditioner and a heater. It can therefore serve you all year round. Regular maintenance of your unit optimizes its performance. In order to clean the indoor unit you just need a damp cloth to remove the dust inside the unit and clean the pipes, air outlets, inlets, etc. If the rag is not enough to do the job, you can use a special heat pump product.
The cleaning of the filters is included in the maintenance of the indoor unit. The bulk of the filters puts additional pressure on the blower motor, causing the heat pump to work harder than necessary.
4. Maintenance of the outdoor unit
Two maintenance are necessary to clean the outdoor unit of the wall-mounted heat pump or air conditioner: that of the outdoor coil and the condenser. You can wash the coil using a low-intensity garden hose.
During the fall and winter, debris may have infiltrated the enclosure, which may affect the performance of the heat pump. You must therefore remove any debris. To clean everything, you can use a mixture of lukewarm water and mild detergent.
Why is it important to maintain your air conditioner or heat pump?
Regular maintenance of your wall-mounted air conditioner or central heat pump prolongs the lifespan of the unit. Each of the parts in the air conditioner has its own function, but the proper functioning of each part depends on the maintenance of the parts. For example, the fan prevents wear and avoids the clutter of the filter. However, a clogged filter can block air flow and put pressure on the fan motor, which could shorten the life of the unit.
Maintaining your air conditioner is also essential in order to control the quality of the air you breathe. The heat pump sucks in the air, filters it and pumps it back inside your home. We will let you imagine the composition of your filters when they are not properly cleaned. Decontamination of the ventilation unit is therefore necessary to ensure better air quality.
Your air conditioning unit or wall-mounted heat pump may require more than just cleaning. In this case, do not hesitate to contact an air conditioning expert. An experienced specialist will provide the necessary maintenance!
When should you maintain your wall-mounted or central heat pump?
The frequency with which a heat pump or air conditioner should be cleaned depends on the model and can be indicated in the instructions for use supplied with the unit upon purchase. However, regardless of the type of device, disposable filters generally need to be cleaned every two to three weeks. If you have a model that can purify the air and deodorize, you should maintain the purifier every three months and deodorize it every two or three years. A wall unit requires a full service every three to six years, which should preferably be performed by a professional.
Need an air conditioning expert?
The air conditioning expert knows every part of your heat pump and will be able to easily detect any anomalies or problems that could compromise the optimal functioning of your device.
Groupe Rousso offers cleaning and decontamination services for your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in order to maintain or restore the air quality in your homes. Our goal is to maximize the life of your air conditioner or heat pump. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information about our services!