The demanding climate here in Mesa, AZ means HVAC efficiency is a big deal for most homeowners. That’s one of the main reasons why heat pumps are becoming such a popular option here. They offer excellent cooling and heating efficiency that no other system type can match. However, heat pumps require some specific operating conditions to work optimally. If you want to get the most out of yours, you’ll need to know what they are. To help, here are some tips on how to maximize your heat pump’s efficiency.
Upgrade Your Home’s Insulation
The single most effective way to maximize your heat pump’s efficiency is to upgrade your home’s insulation. Doing so will reduce the heating and cooling load your heat pump must deal with. That involves finding and sealing gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior walls. It also includes ensuring that air from your home doesn’t leak into its attic. Preventing air leakage will maximize the performance of your home’s insulation. It will also ensure your heat pump won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Speaking of your attic, it’s the next place to target for insulation upgrades. Here in Mesa, experts recommend attic insulation with an R-value between 38 and 49. If you’re not sure of your attic’s existing insulation’s R-value, there’s an easy way to estimate it. R-49 insulation should be between 14 and 16 inches thick. R-38 should be approximately 12 inches thick. If your attic’s insulation is less than 12 inches thick, upgrading it is essential. And remember, the higher the R-value of your attic insulation, the more efficient your heat pump will be.
Set It and Forget It
You may not know it, but heat pumps function most efficiently when working to maintain a steady temperature. So, if you’re in the habit of changing the thermostat when you come and go, you should stop. The same goes for changing your set temperature at night.
Many heat pumps also feature multi-stage or variable-speed operation. Those models will operate at maximum capacity to affect temperature changes in your home. Once they reach your set temperature, however, they’ll reduce speeds to maintain it. Operating at lower speeds is vastly more energy efficient. The more often your heat pump runs at a low speed, the better. For maximum efficiency, you should only change your thermostat’s temperature setting if you’ll be away for 24 hours or more.
Install a Smart Thermostat
If you don’t already have one, consider installing a smart thermostat to control your heat pump. Smart thermostats use advanced learning capabilities and data collection to boost HVAC efficiency. They also provide excellent insight into how and when your heat pump uses energy. Many smart thermostats will make helpful energy-saving suggestions based on the information they gather. However, if you have a variable-speed heat pump, it may be best to use the manufacturer’s thermostat. Check your owner’s manual before you make any additional purchases.
The efficiency gains you can expect from a smart thermostat are significant. A basic ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat will save you an average of 8% on heating and cooling costs. More advanced models can do even better than that. According to Nest, its smart thermostats save users an average of 12% on heating and 15% on cooling costs. For its part, Ecobee reports its customers save up to 26% on heating and cooling using its smart thermostats.
Don’t Forget Your Air Filter Changes
If you have a ducted heat pump, it contains a disposable air filter that requires periodic replacement. In most cases, you can expect such filters to last about three months. If you neglect to replace your air filter on time, it may get dirty enough to start restricting airflow. That will force your heat pump to work harder to overcome the air resistance created by the filter. When you need a new filter, be sure to purchase one that’s the same size and MERV rating as your existing one.
If you have a ductless mini-split heat pump, it will have washable air filters in each indoor air handler. For best results, those filters need cleaning roughly every two weeks. That will keep each air handler operating at maximum efficiency. It will also help keep the coils in each unit from accumulating dust and dirt.
Have Your Ductwork Sealed
You may not know it, but your home’s ductwork can be your heat pump’s Achilles heel in terms of efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, ducted HVAC systems often suffer up to 30% energy losses due to leaky ductwork. The good news is that it’s easy to eliminate that weakness by having your ductwork sealed. You don’t even need to cut into any of your home’s finished walls to do it.
We use a duct sealing system known as Aeroseal. It’s a specially designed polymer that clings to gaps in your ductwork, building into a flexible seal. In practice, Aeroseal can reduce ductwork leakage by up to 90%.
Have Your Heat Pump Professionally Maintained
If you want your heat pump to retain as much of its efficiency as possible, it will require maintenance. Ideally, you will schedule two annual maintenance visits. You should schedule one in the spring to prepare your heat pump for the summer. The second should occur in the fall, to get your heat pump ready for chillier weather.
During each maintenance visit, you can expect our technician to perform some essential tasks. The first thing they’ll do is inspect your heat pump to look for signs of malfunction. Catching minor issues early can help prevent costly repairs later. If they notice anything unusual, they’ll let you know and discuss repair options. If everything checks out, they’ll move on to cleaning your heat pump’s main components instead.
As you use your heat pump, dirt can accumulate on the surface of its outdoor coil. That reduces the coil’s heat transfer efficiency, impacting overall system performance. The same is true of your heat pump’s indoor coil. Our technician will clean those coils as necessary. They’ll also clean and lubricate your heat pump’s blower fan. That will help extend its useful life and prevent efficiency-sapping friction as the fan runs.
To ensure optimal operation, our technician will also check your heat pump’s refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant will dramatically reduce your heat pump’s energy efficiency. It will also lead to damaged critical components like your system’s compressor. The only way to end up with low refrigerant is if your heat pump develops a leak. The only way to fully resolve the problem is to find and fix the leak and then recharge the system.
Your Local Heat Pump Efficiency Experts
For over 37 years, Honest Air Conditioning has been the go-to provider of HVAC services in Mesa. That includes installing, maintaining, and repairing quality heat pumps from leading manufacturers. We also offer duct sealing services to help you maximize your HVAC system’s efficiency. Our team of expert HVAC technicians has extensive training and ample practical experience. So, if you need help getting the most out of your heat pump, contact our team at Honest Air Conditioning today!