What does heat pump maintenance include?

A heat pump maintenance visit is an inspection and cleaning of the whole system by a licensed technician: the outdoor unit, the indoor air handler, the controls that tie them together and the backup heat. Because a heat pump both heats and cools, a good visit tests it in both modes, and the fall visit adds the defrost checks that matter in a Virginia winter. Your part between visits is small: the filter and a clear space around the outdoor unit.

What the technician checks

A professional heat pump service typically includes inspecting electrical connections, checking refrigerant levels and system pressures, cleaning coils, inspecting the blower and fan, checking airflow, and testing heating and cooling performance.^[1] Here is what that covers, part by part.

Outdoor unit. The technician cleans and inspects the outdoor coil, checks the outdoor fan motor, and clears the condensing unit base-pan drain holes of debris.^[1][2] The run capacitor should get an inspection for bulging, unusual markings, or discoloration.^[1]

Refrigerant. The technician reads the charge and pressures, and should check for refrigerant leaks and replace any lost refrigerant.^[2] Low refrigerant is generally the result of a leak,^[5] so if the technician wants to add some, ask where it went before paying for a top-up.

Reversing valve, defrost and backup heat. These are the parts that make a heat pump different from an air conditioner. The technician should check and inspect the reversing valve operation, test the defrost cycle to ensure winter reliability, and check the auxiliary heat system and test heating in defrost mode.^[1] On a twice-a-year schedule, the defrost control check falls on the fall visit.^[2]

Indoor unit. Inside, the visit covers the indoor coil, the blower assembly in the air handler, the air filter, and the condensate drainage system, which is checked and cleaned to prevent water damage.^[1]

Electrical and controls. The technician should tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors, because faulty connections can cause unsafe operation and reduce the life of major components.^[3] The visit should also lubricate moving parts and check the starting cycle so the system starts, operates and shuts off properly.^[3] A heat pump also needs a check for correct electric control, making sure that heating is locked out when the thermostat calls for cooling and vice versa.^[2]

Ducts and airflow. The technician should check all ducts, filters, blower, condenser fan motor, indoor coil, and outdoor coil for dirt and other obstructions, and confirm that your heat pump is receiving adequate airflow.^[2] Low airflow can be caused by dirty filters, dirty blowers, dirty coils, closed supply registers, or (most commonly) by improper duct sizing.^[4]

Spring visit and fall visit

Annual pre-season check-ups mean the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall, because contractors get busy once summer and winter come.^[3] A heat pump is both systems in one, so schedule a preventative maintenance checkup twice a year, in the fall before winter weather arrives and in the spring before AC season.^[2]

The two visits share most of the list. The spring visit leans on cooling performance and the drain, since a heat pump's condensate drain is checked when it is in cooling mode.^[3] The fall visit is where the defrost control and the backup heat get tested, the checks that keep the house warm through a cold snap. For how often to book, see how often a heat pump should be serviced.

What a visit usually does not include

Some work can be quoted on its own. Cleaning coils may need a separate service visit, and the dealer may need to schedule another appointment for repairs.^[2] Ask before the visit whether coil cleaning, refrigerant and repairs are in the price; what annual heat pump service costs in Virginia covers what to ask for in a written quote.

Ask for the results, too. Many contractors provide a written summary of the results after the service.^[1] The inspection should be thorough and include the use of testing and diagnostic equipment.^[4] A report with measured readings, not just ticked boxes, shows what was actually checked and gives the next technician something to compare against.

Why it is worth doing

Of all residential mechanical systems, heat pumps and air conditioners can benefit most from professional maintenance, and field studies have shown their efficiency can be commonly improved as much as 30% through proper tune-up and repair.^[4] Dirty coils make the system run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment, and too much or too little refrigerant makes it less efficient.^[3]

Your part between visits

Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month; your contractor can show you how.^[3] Keep shrubs and plants at least 2 ft. away from the heat pump on all sides and check for snow or ice build up during the winter.^[2] Leave the rest to the technician: refrigerant checks, electrical testing and mechanical repairs should be performed by a qualified HVAC professional.^[1] If you are weighing a yearly contract for these visits, read whether a heat pump maintenance plan is worth it.

When to call a licensed pro

The technician's side of this list is licensed trade work in Virginia. Under the Code, no individual may work as a tradesman without a licence unless working under the supervision of a licensed tradesman in that specialty, and a tradesman is anyone who does electrical, plumbing or heating, ventilation and air conditioning work for the general public for compensation.^[6][7] Federal rules say technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified.^[8] Check a business on DPOR's License Lookup before you book.^[9]

Do not wait for the next scheduled visit if ice stays on the outdoor unit, the system runs constantly without reaching the set temperature, or the unit makes new rattling, grinding or hissing noises.^[1] An aux heat light that stays on when it is above 40 degrees outside most likely means an issue that needs professional attention.^[5] Start with why a heat pump runs constantly in winter.

Loclis lists DPOR-licensed HVAC businesses with their licence number and class. Find HVAC businesses in Blacksburg, browse heat pump service, or read more heating and cooling answers.

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