Q: My outside heat pump is very noisy, rattles like crazy and doesn’t keep up in summer or winter. Any hope for it?
A: That is commonly known as a “hammered heat pump.” Many times not even money can make it something it’s not. Whether or not you believe in reincarnation, you would not want to come back as a heat pump in Montana. Life outside can be harsh and when you are the responsible party for keeping a whole house warm or cool, despite the weather, the pressure is on (refrigerant pressure that is). Most all air-to-air heat pumps are designed to operate in those conditions but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard on them. Besides their rigorous duties, many heat pumps have to endure less than ideal maintenance schedules, and often total lack thereof. They all eventually wear out, and in doing so lose capacity, efficiency, and certainly can make a racket. This demise can be extended with a little love and understanding. As usual, replace those inside filters regularly! If you haven’t been too good about it over the years (be honest) then I would suggest pulling a few covers off and visually inspecting the innards. This frightens most people because there is no hiding the layers of dirt that the blower effectively moves through the ducting and out into your home. We do lots of deep cleaning on these system and it usually requires considerable disassembly to do the job properly. Bottom line, use pleated filters that fit properly and change every few months. We can provide weird size filters if you are in need. Also, verify that return registers are clear of obstruction. We have found them behind bookcases, couches and other furniture. Beyond some visual inspections, most homeowners do not want to grab refrigeration gauges and see what’s really going on with their heat pump. That’s where we come in. The amount of refrigerant in your heat pump system is critical. Right after cleanliness it is the most important variable to make your unit efficient and effective or a major energy waster. It is our suggestion (and the manufacturers) to check levels annually and in doing so we can head off other potential issues. Providing the charge is up to snuff, then the temperature split between air entering and the air leaving both the indoor and outdoor unit should be in line with either factory specs or industry standards. Not all units are created equal and these reading do vary according to manufactures and specific application. Providing all is well so far, there are many electrical connections both high voltage and low voltage that must be checked. Any unit that is noisy and vibrating is a candidate for loose wiring and refrigeration leaks. All residential heat pumps have line voltage connections both inside and out that need tightening even if things seem to be running smoothly. Low voltage control wiring is what operates your thermostat and really makes everything come on (or not). There is lots of this wiring in a heat pump system and it needs to be checked for one tiny loose wire will shut the entire system down. So if your heat pump is “hammered” it may be time to cash it in on some amazingly efficient models or if not, plan on some pre-emptive repairs and maintenance. Ignoring these systems will lead to more money spent in the long run and unreliable operation.
