Tips To Maximize Your Heat Pump’s Efficiency This Fall

It’s tempting to let a good thing be. But what if it could be better?

Your heat pump is already better for your energy bills than any traditional HVAC system, with NRCan deeming them to be 2.5 times more efficient than oil or gas furnaces and boilers, and up to 2 times more efficient than electric furnaces or baseboards.

With the seasons beginning to shift, fall is the perfect time to evaluate how your home’s heating system could be made even more efficient before winter truly hits.
Waiting until it gets bitterly cold can leave your heat pump overworked, especially if basic maintenance tasks, like cleaning or replacing dirty filters, have been neglected.

Here are some simple tips for maximizing your heat pump’s efficiency during the fall.

1. Set it and forget it

If you’re turning your heat pump off every time you leave the house, or adjusting the thermostat when you don’t need as much heating or cooling, you might actually be racking up your energy bill by hundreds of dollars a year.

The best heat pump settings in the fall involve letting your heat pump operate at a steady, consistent temperature. Lowering the temperature or turning your heat pump off entirely when it’s not in use ends up consuming more power than leaving it on.

This is because a heat pump takes longer to heat a space than a regular furnace-powered system. After being set down, the unit has to work harder to come back to the temperature you want for your home.

Setting back your thermostat could even cause your backup heating to kick in if it gets colder. These auxiliary systems (electric resistance heaters, for instance) are usually more expensive to operate.

What to do: Set your heat pump to a stable, comfortable temperature (typically between 19°C - 22°C) and let it work its magic.

Use the “Heat” or “Cool” mode on your heat pump to prevent any accidental switches between the two when the temperature fluctuates.

If you must adjust the temperature, keep the changes small; no more than 2°C at a time.

Also make sure your back up heating system is set at least 2-3°C lower than the temperature setting on your heat pump, so it doesn’t turn on unless absolutely necessary.

2. Clean your dust filters

Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons HVAC systems break down.
High pollen counts and dusty conditions in the summer mean filters often collect a lot of buildup and get dirtier faster. Fall is the perfect time to inspect and clean them.

Your heat pump needs proper airflow to function effectively. When filters are clogged with dust, debris and pet dander, airflow is restricted which forces the system to work harder and drives up your energy bills.

This can even cause the coils to freeze in your outdoor unit and result in uneven heating and cooling.

What to do: Depending on how dirty they get, you might need to clean or replace your air filters every 1 to 3 months. If you suffer from allergies, they may need more frequent cleaning.

The thickness of your filter will also determine how often you need to replace it. Thinner filters (1 to 4 inches) typically need to be replaced every 2 to 6 months, while filters thicker than those could last over a year.

To clean your air filter, power down your heat pump and remove the cover and air filter. Vacuum its surface or rinse it with warm water and soap before putting it back in place. Clean your indoor unit filter with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner.

A clean filter will trap dust, allergens and pollutants, ensuring better indoor air quality as well.

3. Check your insulation

Your HVAC system will perform at its highest efficiency when installed in a well-insulated home where it can provide a consistent heat output with minimal heat losses.

A heat pump has to work harder to produce more heat in a poorly insulated house. It takes longer to achieve comfortable temperatures and consumes more energy to maintain them.

Ensuring high levels of insulation in your home can cut down your annual energy demand for heating by 90%.

Note: While you don’t NEED top-tier insulation to use a heat pump (if it’s been properly installed and has enough capacity to keep up with your local climate), better weatherization could let you get away with buying a smaller and cheaper heat pump.

What to do: Fall is the perfect time to assess your insulation before the colder months hit. As much as 25% of heat can be lost through a badly insulated roof.

Check for gaps around doors and windows, especially in attics and basements. Seal window edges, insulate your floors, and consider draught-proofing around your doors to keep warmth in and cold air out.

4. Clear debris around outdoor units

Summer is the season of smiles, sunshine, and overgrown foliage. By the time fall rolls around, your outdoor unit may be blocked by leaves, branches, dirt and shrubs, obstructing airflow and leading to overheating.

During the winter, this debris buildup can trap ice or snow around the unit, causing it to freeze up.

Fall is the ideal time to trim back any hedges or bushes around your condenser unit to make sure they don’t become a problem once snow starts to fall.

What to do: Clear any obstacles to the unit’s outdoor unit and trim any branches or shrubs that are in the way, maintaining at least 2 feet of clear space around it.

The outdoor coils can also get dirty after being exposed to the elements. Turn the fan off and gently rinse the coils with some water from a hose. If your unit was installed under a roof edge or gutter, consider installing a snow hood or cover to protect it from dripping water, snow, leaves, or debris.

5. Monitor your refrigerant levels

Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your heat pump. It circulates through the system to move heat in or out of your home. Unlike fuel, however, refrigerant is not “used up.” If your system is low on refrigerant, it likely means there’s a leak.

Leaks can occur due to corrosion, wear and tear, or even poor installation. Inadequate levels of refrigerant can impact heat transfer and overwork the compressor, leading to uneven heating and cooling and higher energy consumption.

How to tell if your heat pump is low on refrigerant:

Poor or inconsistent heating and cooling
Sudden spikes in energy bills
Ice formation on the outdoor unit

What to do: Contact a professional if you notice a leak; refrigerant issues should only be handled by certified professionals. To prevent further issues, have your HVAC system inspected regularly by a professional technician.

6. Schedule professional maintenance

Although heat pumps require only minimal maintenance, it’s important to schedule routine check ups to extend their lifespan and prevent costly repairs later down the line.

Fall is the perfect time to get your system inspected, right before the winter places extra demand on it.

What to do: A certified technician can identify early signs of wear and tear, clean critical components, and fine-tune your system for optimal performance.

What’s typically included in professional maintenance:

Inspecting and cleaning all ducts and vents in your home
Replacing or cleaning air filters
Inspecting and cleaning indoor and outdoor coils
Checking refrigerant levels
Inspecting the outdoor unit for damage or blockages
Examining all electrical components to diagnose any potential issues

Scheduling routine maintenance for your unit at least once a year will not only extend your heat pump’s lifespan, but also reduce your heating costs.

Some bonus tips to maintain your heat pump and maximize its efficiency

7. Optimize Zone Heating and Cooling

A heat pump’s efficiency is also dependent upon your home’s layout, square footage, number of floors, and whether the space is open- or closed-concept.

You can leverage your house’s layout to establish zones, controlling temperature and airflow and increasing how efficiently your house is heated or cooled.

Quick tips and considerations:

Prioritize heating and cooling rooms that are used most frequently.
Open layouts are easier to heat and cool from one indoor unit.
If you’re heating or cooling multiple rooms, leave doors open between the heat pump and those rooms; if you’re only looking to heat or cool one main room, keep doors closed.
Keep in mind that since hot air rises, a heat pump won’t send much heat to the floor below it. Similarly, it may not be able to cool the floors above it.

8. Utilize Passive Heating and Cooling

Your home’s temperature is naturally affected by the time of day, whether the space receives direct sunlight, and the surrounding landscape.

Use all of these to your advantage; open your blinds on sunny days to let the warmth in, and use ceiling fans to circulate air. Small adjustments like these reduce strain on your heat pump and lower your energy bills.

The bottom line

It only takes a few simple, proactive steps to ensure that you’re doing the best for your heat pump efficiency this fall. Combine these upkeep habits with the best heat pump settings this fall, and you’ll enjoy consistent comfort, lower energy bills, and a system that’s ready to handle whatever winter brings.

Want to put these tips to maintain your heat pump into action right away? Download our handy guide explaining all these heat pump user tips, and keep it close for easy reference. Or hear from an expert as he walks you through all of them in just two minutes.