How to Clean a Heat Pump Coil

Changing your air filters every month. Keeping weeds from growing near your heat pump. Having professional service twice a year. You’re a heat pump expert!

Cleaning the coils in your heat pump? Even if you’re a great heat pump user, you might not have thought about this one. Should you clean a heat pump coil? How do you clean a heat pump coil? Is it a DIY job? Or one for a professional?  

Keeping the coils clean is a step to better energy efficiency, comfort, and savings with your heat pump and home heating and cooling.

What Is a Heat Pump Coil?

A heat pump coil is an important component of a heat pump system. The coil is a series of copper and aluminum tubes that contain a refrigerant, which is a fluid or gas that absorbs and releases heat. There are two types of coils in a heat pump system: the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. 

A heat pump can reverse the function of the coils to provide both heating and cooling. This two-in-one functioning makes a heat pump an energy-efficient and potentially money-saving heating and cooling solution.

Why Does a Heat Pump Coil Need to be Cleaned?

A heat pump coil and all components of a heat pump system need to be cleaned regularly to work efficiently and reliably. Over time, dirt, dust, or pollen can accumulate on the coils which makes the refrigerant less effective absorbing or releasing heat. This makes the whole system work harder and longer to reach its target temperature.

This added workload can also cause components to wear out faster, increasing the maintenance needs or shortening the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. Overall, DIY or professional cleaning saves you money and major problems.

How Do You Clean a Heat Pump Coil?

Cleaning a heat pump coil can be a DIY job, but make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. The most important safety step is to turn the power to the hat pump off at your electrical panel before cleaning a heat pump coil or doing any work on a heat pump. 

From there, remove panels to get to the coils. You may need to clear debris away from the unit, then clean the panel or surrounding surfaces or area around the coils.

For the coil, you can vacuum it with a soft brush. There is a specialized, no-rinse cleaner made for heating and cooling coils. Generally, you spray the cleaner on, let it sit for the recommended time, then gently rinse it from the inside out so you don’t get water on any electrical components. Do not use a pressure washer. 

One way to ensure proper heat pump maintenance is with a heat pump lease with Palmetto LightReach. Check out Palmetto’s HVAC advisor tool or contact us today to see what one can do for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to clean my heat pump?

You, or a professional, should clean your heat pump and its components regularly in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation. Knowing how to clean a heat pump keeps your heat pump operating efficiently and can extend its lifespan.

How do I keep a heat pump running efficiently?

Replacing air filters as recommended, keeping outdoor units clear of debris, grass, dirt, mulch, and other growth, getting regular maintenance, and cleaning a heat pump’s components as recommended are important tasks to long-term heat pump reliability and efficiency. 

Do heat pumps need maintenance?

Heat pumps need regular maintenance, usually once in the fall before heating season and once in the spring before cooling season. Not doing maintenance can cause a system to lose efficiency and have a shorter lifespan, and may even void a warranty.
Lead photo by Kathleen Austin Kuhn via Pexels