Some wall-mounted heat pump cleaning can be done by the average person. However, it is important to note that the services of specialized professionals will have to be called in, once a year, to ensure an in-depth maintenance of the system.
During the cold season, a wall-mounted heating and air conditioner can be three times more energy-efficient than electric baseboard heaters when it comes to heating. This system is an excellent way to save on your electricity bill. In addition to providing superior comfort in winter, a heat pump system also ensures comfort in summer, offering air conditioning to keep you cool!
Cleaning your wall-mounted heat pump is essential to keeping the air clean and healthy, while preserving its integrity and efficiency.
Did you know that?
A poorly maintained appliance can increase the energy consumption by 25%! What’s more, the harmful effects of neglected maintenance can go far beyond respiratory diseases.
What’s involved in maintaining a wall-mounted heat pump?
To ensure proper operation and longevity, professional cleaning of your heat pump should include the following steps:
- Cleaning the wall unit and its internal components (indoor unit)
- Cleaning the air filter(s)
- Cleaning the ventilation coil
- Clear drain
- Cleaning the compressor (outdoor unit)
Can I do some of the maintenance myself?
Yes, you can do step 2, which involves cleaning the air filter on each wall-mounted unit, and part of step 5, which involves cleaning the outdoor unit.
Let us give you the details of the steps you can perform yourself.
What’s involved in cleaning the air filter(s) on your wall-mounted heat pump?
The accumulation of dust blocking the filter can restrict air flow, increasing the system’s workload and causing premature wear of the unit’s parts. In fact, clean filters are not only better for your health, they’re also better for your wallet, saving you money on additional energy costs.
Here’s how to clean your filters when the seasons change:
- First of all, turn off the power source.
- For safety reasons, cut off all power to the unit before proceeding with the following steps.
- Lift the front flap to reach the wall unit’s air filters.
- Remove each filter by gently pulling on the tab near the bottom edge of the filter.
- Wash the air filters with water, avoiding aggressive chemicals to avoid damaging the filter surface.
- Once washed, carefully place the filters out of direct sunlight, and let them air-dry, or blot them gently.
- When completely dry, they can be replaced in the wall-mounted unit.
For further details, please see our article on cleaning heat pump filters.
What’s involved in cleaning the outdoor compressor?
The outdoor unit also needs maintenance. This is where most of your system’s work takes place. While cleaning the unit’s air intakes should be carried out by a professional, you can take care of the following steps yourself, if you wish:
- First of all, make sure the unit is switched off.
- Turn off the electricity at the disconnect box, which is usually located near the heat pump, on an outside wall. Depending on the unit, you may need to flip a switch or remove a fuse. If you can’t find the cut-off box, or if there isn’t one, turn off the circuit power at the main breaker box.
- Try switching on the unit to ensure that the power supply is completely cut off.
- Remove any leaves or branches trapped in the screen and around the condensing unit.
- Trim bushes and shrubs so that there is approximately two to three feet of clearance on each side of the unit.
This rule must be taken into account when placing equipment near the unit. Keeping the area clear allows sufficient air circulation for the unit to operate properly.
Professional maintenance and cleaning of your wall-mounted heat pump
As mentioned earlier, although you can do some of the work yourself, you’ll still need to have your heat pump professionally cleaned once a year.
A specialized maintenance service should include cleaning internal components such as the caster, fins, air intakes and drain. Be aware that the accumulation of dust and/or mold inside the unit poses a risk to your health and to the health of the unit itself.
Time for the experienced technicians!
What steps will the technician take during the annual cleaning of your wall-mounted heat pump?
1. The technician will clean the wall-mounted unit and its internal components (indoor unit) in the following steps:
- First, take precautions to protect furniture, walls and paintwork.
- Switch off the heat pump
- Open the WALL-MOUNTED INDOOR UNIT
- Remove air filter
- Install the funnel-shaped wall unit cleaning bag to collect water and debris dislodged when cleaning the unit.
- Prepare the mixture of water and antifungal cleaning spray
- Prepare the low-PSI compressor for cleaning
- Using the compressor and the specially prepared product, clean the wall-mounted unit.
- Cleaning the ventilation coil
- Prepare compressor for rinsing
- Still using the low-PSI compressor, rinse the unit.
- Clear the drain
- The specialist will ensure that the drain is clear to prevent water damage.
- Please note that during this part of the cleaning process, a second man must remain outside to check the external drain outlet.
- If the drain appears clogged, the technician will vacuum the debris causing the obstruction from the outside drain outlet.
- Switch machine back on to dry components (always with bag)
Black dust and debris following mural cleaning.
2. The technician will clean the air filter(s):
The steps are essentially the same as those listed earlier, and will be repeated by the technician whether or not you did the maintenance yourself.
3. Cleaning the compressor (outdoor unit);
Thanks to the low PSI compressor, clean the air intakes at the back and side of the compressor.
*Please note that only a REFRIGERATION SPECIALIST may open the compressor and handle its internal components without risk of affecting the manufacturer’s warranty.
4.Remove the cleaning bag from the wall unit.
5. Replace filter(s) in the wall-mounted unit.
6. Close wall unit.
7.Restart the heat pump in ventilation mode, ensuring that it is operating correctly.
8. Make sure the premises are clean.
9.Give the customer instructions for future maintenance of the heat pump.
Contact Duraclim: Get a complete cleaning
Our professional technicians will meet your cleaning needs, whether it’s for your wall-mounted heatpumps, central systems or even your dryer ducts.
Regular maintenance of your heat pump guarantees optimal performance for an extended period, ensuring utmost comfort, health, and longevity of your system.
Let us help you get better air quality!
At DuraClim,
We treat our customers like family, and family deserves the best!
