Your heat pump works year-round to cool your home through Orlando’s long, humid summers and provide warmth during winter cold snaps. Since Florida’s HVAC systems may experience greater use than similar systems in other states, it’s especially important to schedule seasonal service calls to keep them running reliably.
Professional maintenance sessions will keep your heat pump running efficiently and reliably for years to come. Below, we’ll cover how often you should service your heat pump based on your usage patterns and local weather conditions.
Quick Takeaways
- Orlando residents should schedule twice-yearly maintenance for their heat pumps.
- High humidity, salt air, and pollen can increase wear and tear on your heating system.
- Regular tune-ups improve efficiency, extend lifespan, and prevent costly breakdowns.
- Skipping maintenance can void warranties or raise your power bills.
- Professional service calls include cleaning coils, checking refrigerant, and verifying electrical safety.
Why Orlando’s Climate Demands More Frequent Heat Pump Maintenance
Orlando’s weather is typically hot and humid for months at a time, so it’s not uncommon for the area’s heat pumps to work nonstop. As your HVAC system repeatedly goes through frequent cooling cycles and short heating periods, it can experience year-round mechanical strain.
Beyond the wear your heat pump endures, constant exposure to humidity and pollen can contaminate its condenser and evaporator coils and clog its air filters. To make matters worse, the salt air brought inland by coastal breezes can corrode its metal components and shorten its lifespan.
In moderate climates, annual maintenance might be enough to keep your heat pump running smoothly. However, if you live in Orlando, you will need to increase your HVAC tune-up frequency to ensure that your system can provide dependable climate control, no matter the weather.
Recommended Service Frequency for Orlando Homeowners
Once you know why Florida heat pumps need more frequent maintenance checks, you may wonder how often you should service your heat pump. Here’s what a Florida resident’s HVAC maintenance schedule should look like:
Twice a Year (Spring + Fall Tune-Ups)
Scheduling twice-yearly heat pump tune-ups can help catch small issues before they can become major problems in times of peak demand.
- Spring maintenance check: Your HVAC technician will prepare your system for summer cooling by cleaning the condenser coils, checking the refrigerant levels, and calibrating the thermostat.
- Fall maintenance check: Your HVAC technician will get your system ready to provide heat when you need it by checking the reversing valve, electrical systems, air handler, and defrost cycle.
Monthly Homeowner Maintenance Tasks
Although there’s no substitute for a professional tune-up, there are some tasks you can do yourself to enhance the health of your heat pump, like changing or cleaning your air filters every 30–60 days. You can also work to keep your outdoor unit free of leaves, grass, and debris. If you notice that dirt or pollen is building up on your condenser or evaporator coils, you can gently rinse it off.
Also, take note of strange noises or reduced airflow, which can be early warning signs of serious mechanical trouble. Note that while it’s fine to take on minor cleaning tasks, only certified technicians should handle any tasks involving your system’s refrigerant or electrical components.
What Happens During Professional Heat Pump Service?
Getting professional heat pump service isn’t just about giving your heating system the once-over; instead, it’s an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the health of your HVAC system. During your professional HVAC maintenance session in Orlando, a qualified and careful technician will apply a heat pump tune-up checklist to your system and conduct a complete HVAC inspection, which includes:
Electrical & Component Inspection
During your tune-up, your technician will tighten your system’s electrical connections, inspect its capacitors, relays, and contacts, and verify that the defrost controls and reversing valve are functioning properly.
Refrigerant & Coil Cleaning
To help your system avoid generating excess heat so it can run at peak efficiency, your technician will clean its evaporator and condenser coils, check its refrigerant pressure, and look for leaks or contamination that could cause excess wear on its components.
Airflow & Filter Check
Easy-to-breathe air that keeps you comfortable will be clean and fresh. To optimize your air quality, your technician will inspect your heat pump’s blower assembly, ensure its ductwork and filters are clean, and measure its airflow performance.
System Calibration & Performance Testing
As a final step, your technician will ensure your system will run reliably by checking that its components are working properly. To achieve this, they will test your heat pump’s startup and shutdown sequence, check the thermostat for accuracy, and confirm that the system’s efficiency meets its manufacturer’s specifications.
Why Regular Heat Pump Maintenance Pays Off
Although seasonal HVAC maintenance may seem like overkill, it’s actually key to enhancing your heat pump’s efficiency and the longevity of your system. Benefits of getting an HVAC tune-up include:
1. Lower Energy Bills
Did you know that a clean, tuned heat pump uses 10–25% less energy than a dirty, miscalibrated system? Reducing strain on your system will also help it operate more smoothly and cut down on its runtime so that it experiences less wear.
2. Fewer Repairs & Breakdowns
When you schedule seasonal maintenance for your heat pump, you’ll be able to prevent common issues like refrigerant leaks, failing motors, freezing coils, and cracked parts or belts. Lowering the risk of breakdowns means that you’ll be less likely to be making calls for emergency service during Orlando’s hottest months.
3. Longer System Lifespan
If you want to protect the investment you’re making by caring for your HVAC system, you’ll be pleased to know that proper maintenance can add 5 years or more to your system’s lifespan and help it perform more consistently. Often, scheduling regular service calls will also keep your warranties valid, which adds an extra layer of insurance should things go wrong.
4. Better Indoor Air Quality
Breathing in clean air plays an essential part in keeping you comfortable and healthy. Replacing your filters regularly helps reduce the concentration of mold spores, pollen, and dust that tend to proliferate in Florida’s humid climate.
Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Immediate Service
If your heat pump is currently in great shape, twice-yearly maintenance should keep it that way. On the other hand, if you’ve fallen behind on tune-ups or have an unseen issue lurking within your system, you may suddenly notice signs that there’s a problem with your heating system.
Here’s when you should call an HVAC technician to service your system immediately:
- Your heat pump blows warm air during its cooling cycle or vice versa.
- Your unit short-cycles or runs constantly.
- You hear strange grinding, hissing, or buzzing noises.
- Your electric bills spike, but your thermostat’s setting hasn’t changed.
- You notice that ice is forming on your heat pump’s coils or refrigerant lines.
- Your airflow is unusually weak or foul-smelling.
If you notice any of these signs, call One Hour right away; delaying service can lead to compressor damage that requires extensive repair or system replacement.
How Orlando Homeowners Can Stay on Schedule
Life in Orlando can keep you busy, but you shouldn’t let seasonal HVAC maintenance fall by the wayside! Creating a personal HVAC maintenance plan and investing in a heat pump service agreement will allow you to set up automatic reminders and priority scheduling.
You’ll also be able to align your tune-ups with Orlando’s seasonal changes that usually kick in during April and October. Since scheduled maintenance plans often include discounted repairs and priority service, you can often end up saving time and money in the long run.
FAQ: Heat Pump Service & Maintenance
How often should I have my heat pump serviced in Orlando, FL?
At One Hour, we suggest that you service your heat pump twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall.
Can skipping service void my warranty?
Many manufacturers require you to keep documentation of scheduled maintenance sessions to keep your warranty in good standing.
How long does a tune-up take?
A skilled, experienced HVAC technician can usually complete your heat pump tune-up in 60 to 90 minutes.
Does my heat pump need a different kind of service than an AC unit?
Heat pumps differ from air conditioners because they handle both heating and cooling; therefore, they need dual-season inspection.
What’s included in One Hour’s professional service?
One Hour’s professional heat pump maintenance sessions include a full inspection and safety verification, plus cleaning, calibration, and a refrigerant check.
Schedule Your Seasonal Heat Pump Tune-up Today With One Hour
Florida’s climate is hard on HVAC systems, but with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s twice-yearly tune-ups, you can keep your heat pump running efficiently without interruption.
Don’t wait for a breakdown; schedule a heat pump service call today before Orlando’s next heat wave hits, and set up biannual maintenance checks that will give you peace of mind.
When you need to keep your heat pump running smoothly, One Hour is here to help, and remember: We’re always on time, or you don’t pay a dime!