Heat Pump Maintenance in Easton, PA

A heat pump works twice as hard as anything else in the house. It cools all summer and heats all winter, so it runs close to year round. That is exactly why annual maintenance matters more on a heat pump than on equipment that gets half the year off.

Plumbing Pros services heat pumps across Easton, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Wilson and the Lehigh Valley, and heating and cooling across Warren County, New Jersey.

What we check

• Refrigerant charge and pressures. This matters more on a heat pump than on a cooling only system, because the unit has to perform correctly in both directions. A charge that is slightly off shows up as poor heating in January even when cooling seemed fine in July
• The reversing valve, which is the part that lets one machine do both jobs and the part whose failure means you get one and not the other
• The defrost cycle and defrost board. A heat pump that ices up and never clears is failing its defrost, and it will run on expensive backup heat while it struggles
• Auxiliary and emergency heat, and whether the changeover point is set sensibly. This is the single biggest cause of surprise winter electricity bills
• Outdoor coil condition and clearance
• Indoor coil, blower and filter, plus airflow
• Thermostat compatibility, because a heat pump needs a thermostat that understands it

The backup heat point, because it costs real money

Backup heat, usually electric resistance elements, exists to cover the gap when it is too cold for the heat pump alone. It works, and it is the most expensive way to heat a house.

If the changeover is set wrong, or the defrost cycle is failing, the system leans on backup heat far more than it should and the homeowner just sees a large bill without knowing why. Checking that setting is one of the most valuable ten minutes in a heat pump service.

Twice a year, not once

Most heating and cooling equipment gets serviced annually. A heat pump runs in both seasons, so it earns two visits: one before summer and one before winter. If you only do one, do it in autumn, because the heating side is where the expensive failures and the expensive bills live.

What it costs

Our diagnostic and service call fee is $85, waived for service plan members.

The Elite HVAC plan is $45.00 a month and the Shield plan is $59.99 a month, both including the annual visit. See the service plans.

Things that are normal and worry people

• The air from the vents feels cooler than a furnace. A heat pump delivers gentler warm air over longer runs. The house reaches the same temperature. It is not a fault
• The outdoor unit steams and ices in winter. That is the defrost cycle working
• It runs for long periods. Also normal, and more efficient than short cycling

Why us

• Master HVAC-R licence 9380, held by owner Salvatore Sciorta
• Comfortable on both sides. A heat pump is a heating appliance and a cooling appliance in one box, which is why it should not be serviced by somebody who really only does one
• 4.9 stars across 650 Google reviews, BBB accredited A plus since June 2024

Common questions

How often should a heat pump be serviced?

Twice a year ideally, since it runs in both seasons. If only once, make it autumn.

Why is my electricity bill so high in winter?

Most often the system is running on auxiliary or emergency heat more than it should, either because the changeover is set wrong or the defrost cycle is failing. Both are found during a service.

How long does a heat pump last?

Typically twelve to fifteen years. Because it works year round, maintenance has more effect on that number than it does on a furnace.

Book a heat pump service

Call or text (610) 686-9490, or email info@plumbingprospa.com.

See also heat pumps and all HVAC services.