Maintenance & Care Keep Indoor Vents Clear And Vanes Open & Directed. If you have indoor units mounted on your wall, keep air vanes open to allow air flow freely throughout the unit. Do not put anything within 3-5 feet of your indoor units and vents. Items such as couches, beds, or dressers can block airflow, causing your room to be uncomfortable. If you are trying to heat or cool multiple rooms, be sure to keep doors open between the heat pump and the rooms you’d like warmed or cooled. If you have indoor units, direct vanes down when heating your home and up when cooling to best circulate the air. Maintaining Your Heat Pump. Maintaining your new heat pump system is similar to how you’d maintain your old system. Make sure you check air filters monthly and clean or replace as needed. For mini-split systems, the indoor unit’s air filter can typically be rinsed off in your sink. You’ll want to make sure outdoor units are kept clear of snow, ice, and debris, and ensure the coils are kept clean. Keep shrubs and bushes pruned back at least 18 inches from all sides to allow for proper airflow and easier servicing. It’s a good idea to have your heat pump inspected yearly by a trained service technician. Refer to your owner’s manual for recommended maintenance. Protecting Your Outdoor Units. Air source heat
pumps should be protected from snow falling from the roof and water dripping directly on the fan of outdoor units. An ideal place to install the heat pump’s outdoor unit is where the eave is large enough to extend past the unit. If the eave is small, a small overhang can be constructed to protect the outdoor units, as shown in Figire 7. Mini-split heat pumps can be mounted on the foundation or exterior wall of the home above the average snow depth. This is only recommended as a last option, especially for wood-framed homes. Another option is to place it away from bedrooms while still close to the indoor unit(s) and elevated on a stand. If the planned location of the outdoor unit is near a quiet space like a bedroom, consider a variable speed heat pump which offers quieter operation.
FIGURE 7. PLACEMENT OF YOUR HEAT PUMP’S OUTDOOR UNIT
What About Wind? If an outdoor unit is likely to get strong winds, a wind baffle from the equipment manufacturer is highly recommended to ensure proper operation of the outdoor unit. Outdoor units may benefit from being located under second floor decks, which can provide some shelter from rain, snow, and wind. A ducted ASHP may be sheltered from wind with decorative fencing or by the building itself, however the manufacturer’s recommended clearance from walls and fencing must be followed for proper operation.
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ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP CUSTOMER BUYING AND OPERATION GUIDE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
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