I know you don’t want to hear it—but the seasons are changing. Halloween decorations are slowly popping up in stores, leaves are just beginning to fall, and a cool breeze is blowing winter our way. Winter preparations include yard work, cleaning gutters, sealing windows, and generally getting ready to weather the upcoming winter storms. But heat pump maintenance for your Gaithersburg home should also be at the top of your list.
Your heat pump is an essential part of your HVAC system, often pulling double duty to replace both a furnace and central air conditioning system. The fall season is the perfect time of year to get your heat pump serviced. While it’s being used the least, you can upgrade parts, fix things that are about to break, and get it ready for the coldest time of the year.
But how can you increase the efficiency of your heat pump? While heat pump maintenance in Gaithersburg is just one piece of the puzzle, there are other steps you can take to increase the efficiency of this essential piece of equipment.
How Heat Pumps Work
Before we dive into increasing the efficiency of your heat pump, you need to understand how they work. Much the same as your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space and vice versa. This keeps interior spaces warm during the cold season and cool during the hot season. Because heat pumps don’t have to expend energy generating heat, they’re much more efficient than conventional heating and cooling options.
Types of Heat Pumps
There are three main types of heat pumps: air-to-air, water source, and geothermal. Each type is named for where it pulls its source of warm air. Either from the air, from water, or from the ground respectively. Which type you choose depends on your home’s layout and environment. An air-to-air pump is well-suited for small homes as it takes up very little space. However, it isn’t very efficient in cold climates.
Ground-source, or geothermal, heat pumps are one of the most efficient options, especially in cold climates. However, they’re also more expensive to install and require a rather invasive installation process. A water source heat pump provides a more constant temperature than air-to-air models and is less expensive to install than a geothermal pump. However, water source heat pumps are only a valid option if your home is near a body of water.
Choosing the Right Size Heat Pump
A heat pump that is too small for your home will require you to find a great company that provides heat pump maintenance in Gaithersburg. The extra strain on the system will reduce your home’s heating efficiency and increase your maintenance costs. However, a heat pump that is too large for your home may be running efficiently but will also cost you more to maintain. An oversized heat pump will cycle more often– contributing to your need for heat pump maintenance in Gaithersburg. An oversized unit also costs more to install and will take up more room in your home.
Understanding Energy Efficient Ratings
Energy efficiency ratings can be quite confusing. There are multiple rating industries, and some types of heat pumps are rated differently than others. Air-to-air heat pumps are rated via the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio to determine their cooling efficiency. Their heating efficiency is determined by the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. You always want to choose a heat pump with a SEER over 13 and an HSPF over 7.7. The top end of efficiency for heat pumps is between 18 and 27.5 SEER and an HSPF between 8.5 and 12.5.
Geothermal pumps, on the other hand, are rated by the Energy Efficiency Ratio for cooling and the Coefficient of Performance for heating. While heat pumps with higher ratings cost more, you’ll save more money on your energy bills due to the increased efficiency.
Boosting Your Heat Pump’s Efficiency
There are several actions you can take to increase your heat pump’s efficiency without just buying a more efficient one. While finding a great company for heat pump maintenance in Gaithersburg is one of them, there are some things that you can do yourself. Adding insulation to your attic and walls can increase your home’s energy efficiency, as well as sealing ductwork to prevent warm air from escaping.
If you have a programmable thermostat, it’s a good idea to set lower temperatures at night and adjust your thermostat for when you’re away. According to Consumer Report, programmable thermostats can save you 10% annually on your electric bills.
Heat pump maintenance in Gaithersburg is still a crucial factor in taking good care of your HVAC system. However, boosting the overall efficiency of your home will reduce the stress put on your heat pump.
Why Your Heat Pump Needs Regular Maintenance
So why is regular heat pump maintenance in Gaithersburg so important? Regular maintenance can actually increase the efficiency of your HVAC system. Replacing clogged air filters reduces the amount of effort needed to push warm air through your home and promptly fixing broken parts allows your heat pump to run efficiently with the least amount of electricity needed.
Next time you’re searching for great heat pump maintenance in the Gaithersburg area, check out Rod Miller Heating and Air Conditioning. We believe that everyone deserves affordable and high-quality HVAC service. Our service agreements are built to save you money, increase your HVAC efficiency, and extend the lifetime of your heat pump. If you’re ready to take the next step, learn more about how our service agreements can benefit you.
