Heat Pump Maintenance

Schedule a preventative maintenance checkup with your local dealer at least once a year. The best times to schedule is in the fall before winter weather arrives and in the spring before AC season. Here’s what your dealer will do during your heat pump service appointment.

• Check all ducts, filters, blower, and indoor coil for dirt and other obstructions.
• Check for and repair duct leakage.
• Confirm that your heat pump is receiving adequate airflow.
• Correct refrigerant charge.
• Check for refrigerant leaks and replace any lost refrigerant.
• Inspect electric terminals, and, if necessary, clean and tighten connections, and apply non-conductive coating.
• Lubricate motors, and inspect belts for tightness and wear.
• Correct electric control, making sure that heating is locked out when the thermostat calls for cooling and vice versa.
• Inspect the heat pump’s condensing unit base-pan drain holes and remove debris.
• Verify thermostat sensors are working properly.

Taking care of the filter is one of the most important things you can do for your heat pump. As the system circulates air, it filters the air in your home and extracts excess moisture to help control humidity.

When your heat pump circulates the air in your home, dust and dirt particles build up on the filter. Excessive accumulation can block the airflow, forcing your heat pump to work harder to maintain a constant temperature. The harder your unit has to work, the more energy it uses.

The easy answer is to change your filter when it gets dirty. For every home and homeowner, how quickly your filter gets filled up depends on several factors like home size, pets and others.

• Change your heat pump filter once a month.

First, find out where the filter is located in your system and then follow these steps. If you have any questions, contact your local Trane Dealer.

• Turn off your heat pump.
• Find out your filter size.
• Remove old filter.
• Insert new filter (make sure you follow the air flow arrows).

Here a few common problems and quick fixes to try if your heat pump isn’t working properly.

Problem: Heat pump won't turn on.
Solution: Check that your thermostat is set to heat (especially if it’s the first time using it) in winter and cool in spring.

Problem: Low air flow.
Solution: Check your filters. They probably need to be cleaned or replaced.

For more heat pump troubleshooting tips, check out our Heat pump troubleshooting guide or our list of 5 common misconceptions about heat pumps.

• Schedule routine maintenance checks.
• Clear debris away from the outdoor unit.
• Change your filters regularly.
• Install a programmable thermostat.

For specific tips and details about how to maintain and service your Trane heat pump model, visit our User Guides page. You’ll find details and helpful information for all our heat pumps (XV20i, XV19 Variable Speed Low Profile Heat Pump, XL18i Heat Pump, XV18 Variable Speed Heat Pump, XR17 Heat Pump, XL16i Heat Pump, XR15 Heat Pump, XR14 Heat Pump).