Your heat pump is probly the hardest working appliance in your house during winter. Running day and nite to keep you warm when its freezing outside. But most people never give it any attention until it stops working. Then they wonder why their power bills are sky high and the house wont warm up properly.
I was at a place in St Albans last week where the owner complained her heat pump wasnt heating like it used to. Been running it all winter without any service. When I took the cover off the indoor unit there was so much dust in the filters I could barely pull air through them. No wonder it wasnt working right.
Why Heat Pump Maintenance Matters
So why bother maintaining your heat pump? If its still turning on and blowing warm air why spend money getting it serviced? Thats what people ask me all the time. Heres the real answer.
Heat pumps are machines and like any machine they need regular care to work properly. Every time your heat pump runs it pulls air through filters. That air has dust, pollen, pet hair, all sorts of stuff floating in it. Over time that builds up and restricts airflow.
When airflows restricted your heat pump works way harder to move the same amount of air. That means its using more power to produce less heat. Your paying more on your power bill and getting worse performance. Dosnt make sense when a simple service would fix it.
Had a customer in Avonhead whose winter power bills were over 400 bucks a month. We serviced his heat pump and cleaned all the gunk out. Next months bill was 280. He couldnt believe how much difference it made just from a proper clean and service.
Regular maintenance also catches problems before they become breakdowns. A loose connection we spot during a service might not cause issues today but could fail next week when you need heating most. Way better to fix it during scheduled maintenance than deal with a emergency repair.
What We Do During A Heat Pump Service
People wanna know what actually happens during a heat pump service. Its not just wiping down the outside and calling it done. Proper servicing takes time and covers heaps of components.
First thing is cleaning the filters. Most heat pumps have washable filters that slide out from the indoor unit. We take them out, wash them thoroughly, let them dry, put them back. If theyre damaged or really old we recommend replacing them.
Then we clean the indoor coil - the bit that transfers heat into your room. Even with clean filters dust still accumulates on the coil fins. We use special coil cleaner and soft brushes to get it properly clean without bending the delicate fins.
Outdoor unit needs attention too. The outdoor coil can get covered in leaves, dirt, spider webs, all sorts. We wash it down carefully and make sure the fan spins freely. Check the whole unit isnt blocked by plants or rubbish that restricts airflow.
We check refrigerant levels with pressure gauges. If the systems low on gas it wont heat efficiently. Could indicate a leak that needs finding and fixing. Just topping up refrigerant without fixing leaks is throwing money away.
All electrical connections get inspected and tested. We measure voltage, check current draw, tighten any loose terminals. Loose electrical connections cause voltage drops and can eventually start fires.
Did a service in Merivale where we found the outdoor fan motor pulling way more current than it should. Motor bearings were worn out and about to seize. Replaced the motor during the service and saved the customer from a mid winter breakdown.
How Often Should You Service Your Heat Pump
Most people ask how often heat pumps need servicing. Simple answer is at least once a year. Best time is early autumn before winter hits and your relying on it every day.
If you use your heat pump heaps or youve got pets or live in a dusty area you might need servicing twice a year. More use means more dirt and more wear on components.
Commercial heat pumps usually need more frequent servicing - every six months minimum. Businesses cant afford downtime and they run systems harder than residential users.
Between professional services you should clean your own filters once a month during heavy use. Takes five minutes and makes a noticeable difference to how well the heat pump works.
Customer in Riccarton with two big dogs found his filters were getting clogged every couple weeks with dog hair. We showed him how to clean them himself and now he does it fortnightly. Heat pump works way better and his power usage dropped.
Warning Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Service Now
Sometimes you cant wait for the annual service. If your heat pumps showing these signs get it looked at soon.
Not heating like it used to. Takes longer to warm the room or doesnt get as warm. Usually means dirty coils, low refrigerant, or failing components.
Weird smells coming from the unit. Musty smell means molds growing inside. Burning smell could be electrical problems or overheating motors. Either way needs checking.
Strange noises - grinding, squealing, clicking, banging. Heat pumps should run pretty quiet. Loud noises mean bearings are worn, fans are hitting something, or compressors are struggling.
Ice building up on the outdoor unit. Bit of frost is normal in cold weather but thick ice means somethings wrong. Could be low refrigerant, dirty coils, or a defrost system failure.
Power bills suddenly way higher for no good reason. Inefficient heat pumps use heaps more power. Could be dirty filters making it work harder or refrigerant leak reducing capacity.
Had a emergency call in Papanui where the outdoor unit was completely iced up and the heat pump wouldnt run. Defrost sensor had failed so the system couldnt melt the ice buildup. Quick fix but they were freezing til we got there.
Filter Cleaning - The Most Important Thing
Filters are hands down the most important part of heat pump maintenance. Theyre also the thing people neglect most. Lets talk about why clean filters matter so much.
Heat pump filters catch all the dust and crud in the air before it gets to the coil. When filters are clean air flows freely. When theyre dirty airflow gets restricted and efficiency drops big time.
Dirty filters make your heat pump work way harder. It has to run longer to produce the same amount of heat which costs you more power. In extreme cases dirty filters can actually damage the compressor from overheating.
Most residential heat pumps have washable filters. You pop them out, rinse under the tap, let them dry completely, put them back. Should take maybe 10 minutes total and should be done monthly when your using the heat pump regularly.
Some people buy upgraded filters that catch more allergens and dust. These cost more but can really help if you got allergies or asthma. Just remember they need cleaning or replacing more often cause they catch more stuff.
Customer in Fendalton suffered terrible hay fever every spring. We installed better filters in her heat pump and she noticed a huge improvement. Less pollen circulating in the air meant way less symptoms. Simple upgrade that made a real difference.
Refrigerant Checks And Recharging
Refrigerant is the magic juice that actually makes your heat pump work. Its a gas that absorbs heat from outside and brings it inside. If your low on refrigerant your heat pump wont heat properly no matter what else you do.
Heat pumps are sealed systems so refrigerant shouldnt leak under normal conditions. If your loosing gas theres a leak somewhere. Finding and fixing the leak is way more important than just topping up the refrigerant.
We use electronic leak detectors and UV dye to track down where gas is escaping. Could be a corroded pipe joint, damaged coil from impacts, or loose fittings that need tightening.
Once leaks are fixed we evacuate the system to remove moisture and air then recharge it with the exact amount of refrigerant. Too much or too little both cause problems. Has to be spot on for proper operation.
Older heat pumps use R22 refrigerant which is being phased out globally. Its expensive now and hard to get. If your heat pump uses R22 and has a major leak you might be better replacing the whole system than spending thousands on obsolete refrigerant.
Had a customer in Sumner with a R22 heat pump that needed 3kg of gas. Wouldve cost over 1500 just for the refrigerant plus labor. We recommended upgrading to a new system with modern refrigerant instead. Made way more sense financially.
Cleaning Coils For Better Efficiency
The coils in your heat pump - both indoor and outdoor - need regular cleaning. Dirty coils are probly the second biggest cause of poor performance after dirty filters.
Indoor coil sits behind the filters and transfers heat to the air blowing over it. Even with good filters some dust still gets through and builds up on the fins. This acts like insulation reducing heat transfer.
We spray on foaming coil cleaner that breaks down dirt and grime. Let it soak for a few minutes then rinse it off carefully. You can actually see the difference - the water running off is filthy.
Outdoor coil is the one that absorbs heat from outside air. Gets dirty from environmental stuff - pollen, leaves, grass clippings, dust, spider webs. Coastal areas get salt spray which corrodes the aluminum fins.
Really dirty outdoor coils need pressure washing but you gotta be gentle. Too much pressure bends the fins which restricts airflow just like dirt does. We have special fin combs to straighten bent fins if needed.
Did a service in New Brighton where the outdoor coil was completely corroded from salt air. Customer was only two blocks from the beach and the salt had eaten through the fins. Unit was seven years old but looked ancient. Shouldve been cleaned more often to prevent that damage.
Electrical Component Testing
Heat pumps got heaps of electrical parts that all need checking. Compressor, fan motors, capacitors, contactors, control boards, defrost sensors - lots can go wrong electrically.
We measure voltage and current draw on all the motors. Low voltage makes them struggle and wear out faster. High current means somethings binding or failing inside the motor.
Capacitors give motors a boost when starting. They wear out gradually over time and need replacing every few years. Weak capacitor makes the compressor struggle to start or run inefficiently.
Contactors are heavy duty switches that turn the compressor on and off. The contacts can burn and pit from thousands of switching cycles. Eventually they dont make good connection and your compressor wont start.
Control boards run the whole show. Modern heat pumps have fancy electronics that can fail from power surges, moisture damage, or just age. Board failures usually mean replacing the whole board which aint cheap.
Found a failing capacitor in Hornby last winter. Customer said his heat pump was taking ages to start and making humming noises. Capacitor tested weak on our meter. Replaced it for 90 bucks and problem solved. If hed ignored it the compressor wouldve eventually burned out which is way more expensive.
Defrost System Checks
Heat pumps have a defrost cycle that melts ice buildup on the outdoor coil. This is normal operation in cold weather but if the defrost system fails you get problems.
The defrost sensor tells the heat pump when theres too much ice and needs melting. If the sensor fails the ice just keeps building til the unit cant work properly.
During the defrost cycle the heat pump actually reverses - it pumps heat outside to melt the ice. You might see steam coming off the outdoor unit. This is normal and only lasts a few minutes.
We test the defrost sensor and make sure the reversing valve works properly. Check the defrost timer or control board is initiating defrost cycles when needed.
Some heat pumps struggle with defrost in really cold weather. They spend more time melting ice than heating your house. This is a design limitation not a fault but its worth knowing about if you live somewhere that gets proper cold winters.
Customer in the Port Hills had a heat pump that worked great most of winter but struggled when temps dropped below zero. Unit would ice up and spend half its time defrosting. Wasnt a fault just the limits of that particular model. We recommended a cold climate heat pump for his location.
Condensate Drain Maintenance
When your heat pump runs in cooling mode during summer it produces condensation that needs draining away. Blocked drains cause water to leak inside which damages walls and ceilings.
The drain line is usually a small pipe from the indoor unit to outside or a drain. Algae and slime grow in the pipe over time specially in warm humid conditions.
We flush the drain with special tablets that kill algae and clear blockages. Really bad cases need compressed air or a drain snake to clear them properly.
Some heat pumps have a float switch that shuts the unit off if water backs up. Annoying when it happens but way better than water damage from overflow.
Not all heat pumps produce much condensation in heating mode but ones used for cooling in summer definitely do. If you use your heat pump for cooling make sure the drain gets checked during services.
Job in Bishopdale where water was dripping from the ceiling below a wall mounted heat pump. Drain was completely blocked and water had been overflowing for weeks. Ceiling damage cost them 800 to repair. Couldve been prevented with regular drain maintenance.
Thermostat And Control Settings
Your thermostat controls when the heat pump runs and what temperature it maintains. If settings are wrong or calibrations off the whole system performs poorly.
We check thermostat calibration with a separate thermometer. If the thermostat reads 20 degrees but the rooms actually 18 the heat pump wont run enough to keep you comfortable.
Modern heat pumps have programmable controls or WiFi connectivity. You can set schedules so it warms up before you wake up or get home but dosnt run all day when nobodys there.
Lot of people just whack the heat pump on full blast and leave it there. Thats actually inefficient. Better to set a comfortable temperature and let the inverter adjust speed to maintain it.
We show customers how to use their controls properly during services. Most people dont even know all the features their heat pump has. Simple things like sleep mode or economy mode can save heaps on power.
Customer in Spreydon was running his heat pump on high fan all the time cause he didnt know about auto mode. We showed him how auto works and his power bill dropped 60 bucks a month just from using the right settings.
Commercial Heat Pump Maintenance
Commercial heat pumps need way more attention than residential ones. Bigger systems, longer running hours, more at stake if they break down.
Shops, offices, restaurants - they rely on heating to keep customers and staff comfortable. Breakdown in winter means unhappy people and potentially lost business.
Commercial systems often have multi-head setups with several indoor units connected to one outdoor unit. Each head needs individual attention plus the outdoor equipment.
Maintenance contracts make real sense for commercial clients. We come quarterly, do full services, keep detailed records, catch problems early. Way cheaper than emergency repairs and system failures.
Offices can be tough on heat pumps cause they run constantly. Plus they got computers and printers putting out heat which confuses the temperature sensors. Need regular calibration and filter changes.
We look after several cafes and restaurants around Christchurch. Service them every three months minimum cause they work hard. Clean filters monthly, full service quarterly, keeps them running through winter without issues.
Cost Savings From Regular Maintenance
People think maintenance is just a expense but its actually a money saver. Spending a bit on regular servicing saves you way more on repairs and power bills.
Clean well maintained heat pump uses 20-40% less power than a dirty neglected one. On a system costing 250 a month to run thats 50-100 dollars saved every month. Annual service might cost 180-220 so it pays for itself real quick.
Components last heaps longer when the system runs efficiently and isnt stressed. Compressors are expensive - 2000 to 4000 bucks to replace depending on size. Regular maintenance can double compressor life easy.
Emergency repairs always cost more than scheduled maintenance. After hours callouts, rush part orders, working in freezing conditions - all that costs extra. Prevention is way cheaper than cure.
Customer in Halswell never serviced his heat pump in nine years. Compressor failed middle of winter during a cold snap. Emergency replacement cost him 3200 including callout. If hed spent 200 a year on maintenance that compressor wouldve still been fine.
DIY Maintenance Between Services
You dont need to be a technician to do basic heat pump care. Few simple things you can do yourself between professional services.
Clean the filters monthly like we talked about. Single most important thing you can do. Set a reminder on your phone so you dont forget.
Keep the outdoor unit clear of debris. Trim plants back so theres good airflow all around. Remove leaves and spiderwebs from the coil fins carefully with a soft brush.
Check the outdoor unit isnt buried in snow if we get a big dump. Brush snow off gently but dont try to chip ice off the coil - let the defrost cycle handle that.
Listen to how your heat pump sounds when running. You know what normal is. If you hear new noises - grinding, squealing, rattling - get it checked before something fails.
Make sure indoor vents and returns arent blocked by furniture or curtains. Heat pump needs good air circulation to work properly.
But know your limits. Dont mess with refrigerant, electrical connections, or internal components. Leave that stuff to licensed technicians who have proper tools and training.
When To Replace Instead Of Repair
Sometimes maintenance reveals problems that cost more to fix than the systems worth. Knowing when to replace instead of repair saves money long term.
If your heat pumps over 12-15 years old and needs major repairs like a new compressor its probly time to replace. New heat pumps are way more efficient and reliable.
R22 systems are getting expensive and hard to maintain. If you need major repairs or refrigerant recharge replacement makes more financial sense than pouring money into obsolete technology.
Multiple repairs every year means the systems on its last legs. When your spending hundreds on repairs annually a new system starts looking smart.
We give honest advice about repair versus replacement. If somethings worth fixing we fix it. If replacement makes better sense financially and performance wise we tell you straight.
Customer in Redcliffs had a 16 year old heat pump needing a compressor, control board, and outdoor fan motor. Repairs wouldve been 2800. New inverter heat pump was 4200 installed but way more efficient and reliable with full warranty. He went with replacement and is saving 70 bucks a month on power.
Choosing A Maintenance Provider
Not all heat pump services are equal. Some companies do bare minimum quick jobs, others do proper thorough work. Heres what to look for.
Make sure theyre licensed refrigeration technicians. Heat pump work requires handling refrigerant which needs proper licensing and certification. Ask to see credentials.
Check what the service actually includes. Just cleaning filters isnt a real service. Should include coil cleaning, refrigerant check, electrical testing, full system inspection with written report.
Get a written report after service showing what was done, condition of components, any problems found, recommendations for repairs if needed. Good record keeping helps track system health over time.
Maintenance contracts save money if you got multiple units or want regular scheduled services. We offer annual contracts with discounted rates and priority scheduling.
Check reviews and references. How long have they been servicing heat pumps? What brands do they work on? Can existing customers vouch for quality of work?
Why Choose WeDo For Heat Pump Maintenance
We service heat pumps all over Christchurch. Residential and commercial, all major brands and sizes. Done thousands of services over the years.
Our technicians are fully licensed refrigeration techs trained on all the brands - Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu, Panasonic, everything. We know these systems inside out.
We do proper thorough services not quick 20 minute jobs. Clean filters and coils, check refrigerant, test electrical, inspect everything, provide written reports showing condition and work done.
Fair transparent pricing with no hidden costs. We quote the service upfront. If we find problems during service we explain whats needed and get approval before doing extra work.
Maintenance contracts available for people wanting regular scheduled services. We send reminders when your service is due and book you in at a convenient time.
Give us a call and get your heat pump serviced before winter. Keep it running efficient, reliable, and saving you money on power. Thats what proper maintenance does and we do it right.