Why Do Heat Pumps Require a High Amount of Servicing?

What if your gas heat pump fails just when your family needs comfort most? You could be sweating in summer or shivering in winter, and repairs could take weeks to arrive.

That’s why it’s important to maintain it properly, so that your family stays warm. Skipping regular check-ups means risking costly repairs.

But why do heat pumps require a high amount of servicing? We’ll explain the reasons and share a simple routine to keep your family comfortable. Read on!

What Is a Heat Pump?

A gas heat pump is a system that uses natural gas as its main energy source to help you control your home’s temperature just the way you want it.

Like a furnace, it burns natural gas and moves heat around from outside air, combining combustion with heat transfer technology for greater efficiency.

How does it work? Basically, it uses a special fluid called refrigerant that moves between the outdoor and indoor units.

The refrigerant changes from liquid to gas and back to liquid as it absorbs heat from outside air and releases it inside your home, or vice versa for cooling.

And the system can both warm and cool your home because of an important part called a reversing valve. Its job is to change the direction that the refrigerant flows.

Simply put, the valve controls which unit absorbs heat and which releases it. This simple switch lets the system serve as a heater in winter and an air conditioner in summer.

In heating mode, the gas heat pump uses a gas engine to run a compressor. The compressor squeezes refrigerant, which absorbs heat from outside air and turns into a gas. It then boosts the refrigerant’s temperature and pressure before releasing heat inside.

In cooling mode, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, cooling the room. It then carries the heat outside, where a fan blows it away.

To make sure both processes work well, it’s important to take good care of the gas heat pump with regular checks from a gas heater installation expert. But why is that?

Why Do Heat Pumps Require a High Amount of Servicing?

Gas heat pump maintenance and service are important for these reasons:

1. They Run All Year

One of the main reasons why heat pumps require a high amount of servicing is that they run all year round, whether for heating in the winter or cooling in the summer.

A gas heat pump switches modes often to match the seasons, which stresses parts like compressors and fans. This increases the risk of breakdowns or overheating.

In winter, cold outdoor air makes it harder for heat pumps to gather heat. In summer, extreme heat can challenge their cooling ability.

2. Help You Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Heat pumps move air in your home, and air filters are vital as they trap dirt, dust, and tiny particles before circulation.

If you don’t do gas heat pump maintenance, dirt and particles can build up inside. Over time, this reduces the filters’ ability to work effectively.

As a result, the heat pump has to work harder to move air through, which lets more allergens and pollutants escape. This can cause allergies and breathing problems.

3. Emergency Repairs Can Be Expensive

A gas heat pump has a compressor, fans, coils, refrigerant lines, a reversing valve, and electrical parts. Over time, wear and tear can reduce its efficiency.

Dust can build up, parts may break, refrigerant levels can drop or shift, and electrical connections can loosen. If ignored, these problems can cause overheating or system shutdown.

This can lead to emergency repairs that may cost over $1,000. Therefore, regular maintenance is important to prevent costly repairs by addressing small problems before they worsen.

4. Keep Your Energy Bills Low

You need to do regular maintenance on your gas heat pumps to keep them working well, which helps save money on energy bills.

Remember, a heat pump works by moving heat, not generating it. Its performance depends on the condition of its parts.

When filters, coils, and fans are clean, the heat pump runs smoothly and uses less electricity to maintain your home’s temperature. This can lower your monthly bills.

On the other hand, if the parts are dirty or blocked, the pump has to work harder to move heat, which uses more power and can cause it to wear out faster.

5. Keep Your Safety First

Never take your safety for granted. Regular servicing of heat pumps is important to keep them running safely and in compliance with safety codes.

These systems are complex and contain many parts, like mechanical elements. Any malfunction in these parts can be dangerous.

For example, cracks in a heat exchanger can let dangerous carbon monoxide gas leak into your home, which can be very harmful, especially for kids and older people.

Also, electrical connections can become loose over time, which can increase the chance of fires or electrical shocks.

6. Minimize Surprise Outages

What if your gas heat pump fails when you need it most? The last thing you want is to experience outages during extreme temperatures, right?

That’s why heat pumps require a high amount of servicing. You don’t want worn-out components or low refrigerant levels to prevent your system from keeping the right temperature.

Think about it. When it’s really hot or cold outside, your heat pump has to work harder to keep your home comfortable. In such conditions, heat pump performance can drop.

But keeping up with regular gas heat pump maintenance can help avoid surprise breakdowns during hot summer days and cold winter nights.

7. Extend Your Heat Pump Lifespan

Constant use wears down any machine. But good maintenance can help it last longer, including a gas heat pump.

A gas heat pump typically lasts 15-20 years, depending on the model. But if you skip regular maintenance, the lifespan can be drastically reduced.

And, ignoring routine servicing lets small issues slide, which can turn into bigger problems. Remember, the efficiency of the heat pump also affects how long it lasts.

8. Keep Your Warranty Valid

Don’t worry, most companies give a warranty on your heat pump as long as you do regular maintenance. This information is usually in the warranty details.

The warranty often covers important parts, like the compressor. This helps protect you from high repair bills.

But if the company finds out that you skipped maintenance and that’s why something broke, they may refuse to fix it for free. This way, you’ll have to pay for everything yourself.

Common Gas Heat Pump Maintenance Tasks

You know all the reasons to do the gas heat pump maintenance. But do you know what things you should check?

• Check Air Filters — You can check and replace a cloth or synthetic mesh to catch dust and dirt on your gas heat pump system. Do this monthly to prevent buildup. For reusable filters, rinse with water and keep it dry before reinstalling.
• Thermostat Calibration — Each month, place a separate thermometer next to your thermostat for 15 minutes to compare readings. If they differ by more than 2 degrees, adjust the thermostat settings or call a professional to help you.
• Clean Outdoor Unit — Remove leaves, snow, grass clippings, and trash that block the airflow. Keep at least two feet of space around the unit and move stored things away from it. After storms, gently brush off snow.

• Listen for Unusual Noises — Listen for any new or loud noises like rattling, banging, grinding, squealing, or buzzing. If you hear any, turn the gas heat pump off and call a technician.
• Check Your Refrigerant Lines — Check the insulated copper tubes between inside and outside units for frost or oily spots. If you see frost, turn off the system and wait until it melts. If you see oily stains or smell chemicals, call a professional.
• Check Electrical Connections — Schedule a technician twice a year to check and tighten electrical connections and look at the wiring for damage or wear. They will check for overheating, rust, or burn marks.
• Check Fan Motor and Drive Belt — Have a technician check your fan motors twice a year. They will add the correct oil or grease, check drive belts for damage, and replace or repair as needed.
• Combustion Analysis — You need to call a technician once a year to check your system for carbon monoxide. This makes sure your gas heat pump burns fuel safely and uses energy efficiently.
• Checking Refrigerant Levels — Once a year, call a technician to check the refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant means there might be leaks that can damage your system.

Gas Heat Pump Maintenance: A Wrap Up

Gas heat pumps are great systems that offer both heating and cooling. But, this versatility comes at a cost if you ignore regular maintenance.

Because of the gas combustion process, heat exchange components, and year-round use, these units need consistent professional care to keep running reliably and efficiently.

While simple tasks like replacing filters are easy to do yourself, gas heat pumps have technical components that are best left to the professionals.

We hope this information helps. Don’t wait for your system to fail during the worst weather. And contact Melbourne Gas Plumbing today to schedule routine maintenance, especially if it’s been a while.