If you want to try to fix it yourself, all you need to do is turn the heat pump off, take apart the front cover, and unclog the drain using a towel or dry vacuum. Once it's unclogged, pour a little bit of distilled white vinegar in to help kill algae and fungi and eliminate bad odor.
Locate the white plastic pipe that leads outside, then check for any blockages like debris or ice. Defrost ice with warm water, not boiling, and use a rod or wire to push through the obstruction. If that doesn't work, call a pro with specialist equipment.
What Maintenance is Required for My Heat Pump? Most of the maintenance required for your heat pump can be done yourself with the help of a step stool & hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner. As the homeowner, it's your responsibility to ensure that: The indoor unit is free of dust and dirt on the top.
So a clogged filter means that the heating element inside the indoor unit is going to run hotter, if it's putting out the same amount of heat. That's bad, since it means the heat pump now has a larger temperature difference to pump heat over, and therefore is less efficient.
The good news is that you absolutely can spray water on your air conditioner if it needs a cleaning, and nothing bad will happen. Spraying water on your AC's condenser also helps it run more efficiently. In fact, your condenser needs a regular spritzing in order to keep doing a good job.
Getting the best out of your heat pump only takes a vacuum cleaner and a few minutes of your time. At this time of year, you'll often see flyers and adverts flogging heat pump servicing. Don't do it. You can do your own clean and check in less than 10 minutes, and probably save yourself at least $100 in the process.
A clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing the heat pump to work harder and consume more energy, thus reducing its energy efficiency and leading to higher energy bills.
Removing clogs
Vacuum the standing water from the condensate pan with a wet/dry vacuum. Insert a plumber's snake or plastic tubing into the PVC drain attached to the pan to remove obstructions, then do the same on the terminal end of the drain.
Common ways to identify if your condensate pipe is blocked are listening for an unusual gurgling sound when the boiler attempts to start, or the boiler may repeatedly 'lock out' or stop working and display an EA code.
For most heat pumps, you should clean the filters monthly. The fans and coils should be cleaned yearly. When ignored for prolonged periods, your heat pump's performance will decline as the filter, fans, and coils get dirtier from pollutants such as dirt and dust.
Yes, Heat Pumps Do Need Twice-Yearly Maintenance
Each of these systems only handles one comfort function, and for the most part will only run during a single part of the year.
Wash the unit: With your garden hose on a fan spray setting, wash the entire unit down paying extra attention to the grille area. Change your spray setting to solid stream and point the flow through the top grille and rinse the inside coil until it is completely free of dust and dirt.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
Ice and frost on your heat pump
To fix the problem, all you have to do is temporarily cut off the power supply and gently pour hot water into the unit to melt the accumulated ice.
A fuel filter is a very affordable part to replace. The average cost for a replacement is $70 to $150, depending on the type of filter and the cost of labor. We recommend changing the filter before you start noticing the signs above.
Notice that your water is trickling out slower than usual? This could mean your filter is clogged with all the junk it's been catching. A clogged filter means less water can get through, resulting in decreased water pressure. If you're starting to feel like you're in a low-flow zone, it might be time for a new filter.