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The weather is warming up on Vancouver Island and chances are you have been using your heating system since last fall. Maintaining your heat pump is important to ensure that you stay comfortably cool this summer, we recommend an annual check-up on your system. Don’t know what system you have? Read on, we will go over that too!

Maintaining Your Heat Pump

It is important to protect the investment you made in your home heating and cooling system. Our annual maintenance includes a 22-point inspection on your ducted or ductless system. You can be sure we will test all of the electrical components, ensure the refrigerant pressures are holding strong, and even clean your reusable filters. Don’t have reusable filters? Let us know, we can bring and install new disposable filters while we are there. Filters are necessary for good personal health and equipment health as they trap pollen and dust in the air. If you have an ultraviolet air purifier, molds, pollens, spores and types of bacteria can be eradicated from your indoor air. If your filters are dirty, or improperly sized, there is a  good chance your in-home air contains excessive amounts of dust and pollen.

Having your heat pump serviced on a regular basis will ensure staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Remember your heat pump operates year round, so inspections can be done spring, summer, fall or winter.

Other checked components include:

• Condition of outdoor fan and motor for lubrication
• Outdoor and indoor wiring, electrical controls, switches, contacts, and terminals
• Compressor operations
• Reversing valve
• Motors, heaters, amperages, and power supply
• All safety components
• Supply and return air temperatures
• Thermostat settings and functions
• Coils and drains
• Testing of surge protector
• All parts that need lubrication are carefully checked and oiled

Warranties

Our heat pump warranties are valid for up to 12 years after installation, and are conditional to regular maintenance. This ensures the compressor, coils, reversing valve, and other components are working as designed. Your thermostat must also work properly to keep your home comfortable and save energy, which is why it is included in our service. Equipment failure can be costly if the system is not maintained according to the warranty requirements.

A system that works at optimal performance will save on energy costs as an HVAC system that does not work efficiently will use more power.

Types of Heat Systems

A ductless or mini-split heating system heats and cools a given area such as a large room. It does not require ducts to carry the air. This is an economical way to heat or cool open concept areas like a family room. You can set individual thermostats for different temperatures in each room or zone. The systems are quiet due to the smaller size, and use of inverter technology.

Historically, the conventional air source heating system was the most common. The air handling system distributes air through the ducts. All ducts must be sealed and in good condition to prevent hot or cool air from escaping. An electric HVAC system that works efficiently is the most economical and leaves a small carbon footprint compared to oil or gas heaters. This HVAC system must be professionally installed and maintained on an annual basis.

Contact us at Coastal Heat Pumps to book your annual maintenance before August 31, 2020 and save $30!We are located in Sidney, BC with service to communities in the Greater Victoria area and the south part of the island. We are also on call 24/7 for emergency service. We are here to help you keep your HVAC in good condition all year because at Coastal Heat Pumps we’re not comfortable until you are.