–A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Your Heat Pump

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Heat Pumps

An heat pump is an essential appliance that keeps our homes cool during those warmer or hotter days of the year. Heat pump cleaning is vital to maintain its efficiency and longevity. Regular air filter cleaning and heat pump maintenance can help prevent common heat pump problems and keep your indoor environment comfortable and healthy. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to clean your heat pump, including its filter, tips on keeping your outdoor unit in good health, and other tasks that are best left for a trained service technician, like coil cleaning.

An introduction to heat pump cleaning

A clean heat pump ensures that the unit functions properly, reduces energy consumption, and prolongs its lifespan. This guide will provide heat pump maintenance tips, and common mistakes to avoid during the cleaning process.

Overview of the heat pump cleaning process

The cleaning process for heat pumps involves several steps. This heat pump maintenance checklist includes cleaning the air filters, and the best way to approach maintaining coils, blower motor, and fan blades.

Make sure to turn off the power of the unit before starting the cleaning process to avoid any electrical accidents.

It's important to note that while you can perform many of these tasks, it is always best to get a trained service technician to perform regular maintenance on your air conditioning unit, this can save you money in the long run. A qualified technician can identify any potential problems and fix them before they become major issues. So, while cleaning and maintenance yourself can be helpful in keeping your unit in good condition, it's always a good idea to rely on a professional for more complex tasks and regular upkeep. It’s worth noting that in some countries, and depending on the type of heat pump, regular checks up a professional are mandatory.

Signs of a Dirty Heat pump

A dirty heat pump can cause several issues that affect its performance and air quality in your home. The heat pump operates by circulating the air within your room, and if there are contaminants present in your environment, they can easily become dispersed, and affect your health.

Physical signs of a dirty heat pump

Physical signs of a dirty heat pump include dirty air filters, dust buildup on the fins and coils, debris in the drain pan, or even mold growth. These issues can lead to reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and potential damage to your HVAC system.

Performance signs of a dirty heat pump

Performance signs include reduced cooling efficiency, unusual noises, unpleasant odors, and increased energy bills. These issues indicate that your heat pump may require cleaning or heat pump repair.

Tools and Materials Needed for Heat Pump Cleaning, and how to use them

There are a variety of heat pump maintenance tasks that can be done by you, however, we always recommend getting an official service technician to complete this process. If you are going to be tackling some of the tasks yourself, here are some of the tools and materials needed for heat pump cleaning:

Cleaning solution for heat pump maintenance

A mild detergent mixed with water is suitable for cleaning most heat pump components. You can also purchase specialized cleaning solutions for heat pump cleaning from your local home improvement store.

If you prefer a more natural solution, you can also make a DIY cleaning solution using water, vinegar, and baking soda. Mix one cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda in a gallon of water. This solution can be used to clean the air filters, coils, and drain pan.

Vacuum cleaner

 A vacuum cleaner is great for removing dirt and debris from the unit. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dirt and debris from the air filters, coils and fan blades.

Soft brush

An additional hand held brush is useful for hard to reach and sensitive areas, such as coils. By using a soft-bristled brush, you can avoid damaging the delicate parts of the unit.

Now that we have an idea of the tools you’ll need, let’s take a look at the different components that require cleaning and how to do it:

How to Clean Filters in your Heat pump

Filters (also known as pre-filters) are an important component of heat pumps that trap dust, dirt, and debris to prevent big particles from entering and damaging the indoor unit. Some heat pumps, such as airHome and many Hitachi heat pumps, also include air purifying filters. These extra filters are dedicated to improve the indoor air quality of the room, as they can trap finer particles and/or inhibits pollutants thanks to their coating. Cleaning air filters is a vital step in heat pump maintenance, because when these air filters is clogged, the cooling capacity of the heat pump decreases and it might consume more energy to provide the same cooling output as before.

We recommend cleaning filters before the start of the cooling or heating season and then inspecting and cleaning the filters every 2 weeks during these seasons. However, it’s always best to consult your heat pumps user manual for individual recommendations.

For air purifying filters, it is recommended to clean them every month and, even better, change them yearly for consistent efficiency. Not all air purifying filters are washable. If that is the case, then only remove any dirt gently with a vacuum cleaner.

To clean your clogged heat pump filters, follow these steps:

• Turn off the power to the unit.
• Locate and remove the air filter, which is typically behind a grille or cover.
• Use a soft-bristled brush or vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and debris from the air filter.
• If the filters are washable, gently clean and rinse the air filter using a gentle cleaning solution. Water should not be above 40˚C to avoid filter shrinking.
• Allow the air filter to dry completely in a shaded spot out of the sun to avoid damage before reinserting them into the unit.
• On the other hand, If the filters are not washable or are damaged, be sure to replace them with new filters.

A large number of Hitachi heat pumps, including our latest generation airHome series, inform the users when it’s time to clean the filter by a symbol appearing on the remote controllers. Other series, like Takeshi, a model available in India, have a small LED light lighting up on the surface of the indoor unit as a filter cleaning reminder.

Coils and Air Conditioning Cleaning

Coils are crucial components of heat pumps responsible for transferring heat. There are two types of coils in an heat pump: evaporator coils and condenser coils.

What are coils in heat pumps? 

Coils are the heat exchanging component of heat pumps that transfer heat between the air and the refrigerant gas (refrigerant gas is circulating between indoor and outdoor units). During cooling operation, the evaporator coils (inside the indoor unit) transfers heat from the indoor air to the refrigerant gas, while the condenser coils (inside the outdoor unit) releases the heat to the outside. Over time, these coils can become clogged, reducing their efficiency, and causing the unit to work harder, which will ultimately affect your energy costs.

How to clean the evaporator coils 

To help keep the evaporator coils clean, the exclusive FrostWash technology, available with many models of Hitachi Residential Heat pumps, can do it for you automatically. Learn more about FrostWash here. However, if your heat pump does not have FrostWash, it is best to consult a professional as this is a delicate job. These are the general steps that are taken to clean a unit’s coils:

• Turn off the power to your heat pump.
• Locate the evaporator coils, which are typically found inside the indoor unit or air handler.
• Carefully remove the access panel or cover to expose the coils.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and debris from the coils gently.
• Apply a no-rinse coil cleaner or a mild detergent and water solution to the coils, allowing it to sit for a few minutes.
• If necessary, use a soft brush to gently scrub any stubborn dirt.
• Wipe the area with a clean cloth and replace the access panel or cover. 

How to clean and maintain the outdoor unit 

Depending on the location of the outdoor unit, this is a task best done by a professional. However, if you have clear access to the unit here are the tasks that are safe to do: 

• Clean the outer casing of the unit to remove any buildup of dirt
• Make sure the air outlet is not obstructed by plants, dirt or debris to clear the way for the unit to operate effectively

If the fan or coils require cleaning, again, this is best left to a professional to do to avoid any potential damage to the unit.

On Hitachi air conditioning systems, some models feature DuraSpin functionality to rotate the fan in reverse direction, so accumulated dust can detach from the fan blades.

How to Clean Other Heat pump Parts 

Other components on your heat pump that will require cleaning are the blower motor and fan blades, both of which will require a trained service technician to check and perform any tasks for you.

Clean your Heat pump Remote Control 

Finally, studies have shown that remote controllers are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria to build up on. If you operate your heat pump with a remote control, perhaps it’s time you cleaned it, too. Like with most electronic devices, you’ll want to remove the batteries before beginning any cleaning. The best way to clean your remote is using a sanitizing solution or even household alcohol,and wipe the remote down with a slightly moist cloth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Heat pump 

While cleaning your heat pump, there are several common mistakes to avoid:

Not turning off the power 

Always turn off the power to your heat pump before performing any cleaning or maintenance tasks. This will help prevent electrical shocks and potential damage to the unit.

Not cleaning the blower motor and fan blades 

Neglecting to clean the blower motor and fan blades can lead to reduced airflow and inefficient cooling. Regularly cleaning these components can help maintain optimal performance and prolong the life of your heat pump but it is always best that these parts are checked and serviced by a professional only.

Using the wrong type of cleaning solution 

Using harsh chemicals or the wrong type of cleaning solution can damage your heat pump components. Stick to a mild detergent mixed with water or a specialized cleaning solution designed for heat pumps.

Using a pressure washer 

Using a pressure washer to clean your heat pump can cause damage to the delicate fins and other components.

DIY vs professional heat pump cleaning 

While DIY heat pump cleaning can potentially save money and be a suitable option for simple tasks, some tasks may require professional heat pump service and, if performed incorrectly, could prove more costly in the long run. If you are unsure about your abilities or have a complex issue, it is best to consult a professional.

How Often Should You Clean Your Heat pump?

As a general rule, we recommend that you check your heat pump’s filter regularly, and perform a more thorough cleaning of coils and other components at least once a year. Also check the regulations in place in your country. However, households on the ground floor of a building, or those that include smokers, pets, or people susceptible to allergies, might need to clean the filter more often or even change the filter completely.

Factors that affect how often to clean your heat pump 

The frequency of heat pump cleaning depends on several factors including:

The frequency of use 

If you use your heat pump frequently or live in a hot climate, it may require more frequent cleaning to maintain optimal performance.

Presence of pets

Pet hair and dander can quickly clog heat pump filters and reduce the efficiency of your heat pump. As previously mentioned, If you have pets, you may need to clean your heat pump more often.

Checking the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning your heat pump 

Hitachi’s recommendations for cleaning your heat pump can provide valuable information on how often it needs to be cleaned. Refer to your heat pump's user manual for specific cleaning guidelines and recommended maintenance schedules.

Setting a schedule for cleaning your heat pump 

As mentioned earlier, we recommend that you schedule regular maintenance with a professional, but it's also wise to do the same for general checks. You can set a cleaning schedule based on your heat pump unit's maintenance recommendations or the frequency of use. By sticking to a regular cleaning schedule, you can ensure that your heat pump is working at optimal efficiency.

Saving Money by Keeping Your Heat Pump Filters Clean 

Regularly cleaning your heat pump filters and keeping your heat pump unit clean as a whole can save you money on energy bills and potential repair costs. Clean filters improve airflow and reduce the strain on your heat pump unit, resulting in increased efficiency and a longer lifespan for your cooling system. By following the detailed instructions and heat pump maintenance tips in this guide, you can keep your heat pump in optimal condition, save money on energy bills, and create a comfortable and healthy living environment for you and your family.

Hitachi heat pumps are built with advanced technology for reliable performance and long-lasting durability, like the aforementioned FrostWash, and also Mold Guard, a function that helps prevent the formation of mold on the indoor unit’s components. However, even the best heat pump requires regular maintenance to function optimally and provide optimal cooling efficiency. By combining a high-quality Hitachi heat pump with proper maintenance, you can ensure longevity and savings on energy bills.

Visit the Hitachi heat pump product range page to learn more about our range of heat pumps and make an informed decision for your home’s air conditioning needs.