You want your heat pump to operate optimally during the winter season in Cumming, GA. When it operates well, you can keep your home comfortable throughout the year. Here are some of the biggest mistakes to avoid when using your heat pump.
1. Cranking up the Thermostat
The truth about cranking up your thermostat is that it’s inefficient and can damage your heat pump rather than heating your home faster. If you crank up the thermostat, it forces your heat pump to run for a longer period of time to reach that set temperature. The consequence of this heat pump mistake is that it costs you more money and eventually reduces its lifespan.
2. Ignoring Leaks and Drafts
Leaks and drafts could be causing your home to lose a lot of heat. Heat loss through leaks and drafts forces your heat pump to run frequently in a bid to maintain the desired temperatures, spiking energy costs. Check and seal any leaks and drafts in your windows and doors, especially in the attic and basement, to avoid overworking your heat pump.
3. Wrong Heat Pump Size
One of the biggest mistakes you should avoid with your heat pump is choosing the wrong size. An oversize heat pump causes rapid cycling that can strain your blower motor and increase energy bills. A small heating unit might have to run throughout the day to meet your home’s heating and cooling needs.
The wrong heat pump size can result in excessive energy bills, uneven home temperatures, high humidity levels and costly repairs. The strain on your heat pump can also reduce its average lifespan. Hire a heating installation expert to recommend the right size, depending on the local climate, insulation and square footage.
4. Setting the Temperatures Too Low at Night
Extreme temperatures can strain your heat pump. While you want your home to remain warm throughout the winter cold, it’s best to avoid running the heat pump constantly.
You can lower the temperatures when away from your house, but avoid the mistake of setting them too low. The mistake can reduce your heat pump’s life. An ideal solution would be to invest in a programmable thermostat that allows you to set different temperatures.
5. Setting Auto Mode
Don’t set your heat pump on auto mode because it forces the equipment to toggle unnecessarily. The chances of your heat pump attaining its peak efficiency when set to heat during the chilly months are high. The truth is that the auto mode of your heat pump isn’t the most efficient setting.
Let the sun warm your home rather than constantly running the heat pump. Having the sun contribute to warming your home can help reduce energy costs.
7. Neglecting Heat Pump Maintenance
Dust and debris can build up in your heat pump over time, causing the equipment to malfunction. That’s why it’s vital to hire the pros for regular heat pump tune-ups, even if the equipment seems to be operating normally. Our technicians look for any failing heat pump component and fix it, preventing further damage, improving efficiency and extending its lifespan.
You can enhance your heat pump’s efficiency and keep your home at desirable temperatures by avoiding the above mistakes. Talk to an expert if you’re unsure about how to use your heat pump efficiently. Call us at Pruitt Heating & Air, Inc. today to schedule the most affordable and reputable heat pump service.
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