How To Clean A Heat Pump – Step by Step Guide
Heat Pumps, or ‘Mini-Split’ Ductless systems are a great way to heat your home in colder months, and cool it in hot months. However, due to the way they operate, they draw in elements from nature and if not maintained properly can suffer from becoming contaminated with mold.
How Do Heat Pumps Get Mold?!
The process of mold creation in a heat pump: Heat pumps are great for cooling your home during the summer, but this can often leaves moisture in them. As the air travels over the fins of the coil in the heat pump, the temperature difference between the air and the coil causes condensation and moisture from the air accumulates on the coil and spreads through the system and down to the blower wheel.
“This gets worse as the summers become more humid, like the last few we have had in Nova Scotia”
Is Dehumidifier Mode Good For The Heat Pump Mold?
Many homeowners run their heat pump in ‘Dehumidifier’ mode rather than full cooling mode — when the air feels drier, it feels cooler at the same temperature, so you don’t need to drop the thermostat as low. THe thought is this can save a little energy over a hot summer.
However, in both Dehumidifier and standard cooling mode, your heat pump is removing moisture from the air. That water passes through the internal components of the machine – over the coils and through the blower wheel. Over time, this constant moisture creates the ideal conditions for mold to grow inside your unit, which is why regular cleaning is so important.
How Do I Stop Mold in My Heat Pump?
We get asked this question a lot. From what we have seen, every heat pump that is used to cool the home will accumulates mold if left for long enough. So we recommend you at least check the heat pump at least once every 6 months – this is pretty easy to do, just click here for instructions
However, you can so things to slow down mold in your heat pump – How you use your heat pump will affect how quickly and how much mold the unit accumulates. Heat pumps like to be left on continuously. They are more efficient this way and also allows them to stay dry. Even if the unit is not actively cooling or heating, the blower wheel will kick in once in a while to keep the system dry.
Dangers of Mold & Health Issues
Mold can cause nasal and throat issues, cold and flu-like symptoms, and exasperate breathing issues and allergens. Some mold exposure can cause more serious health problems, including chronic lung infections such as legionnaires disease
Moisture, Mold and Your Heat Pump System
Heat Pumps work by exchanging heat and distributing air. They are prone to condensing water, which is where mould loves to grow. Moist air and parts of the system that are damp for long periods can be prone to mold infestations. If left for too long, the mold will manifest itself on the blades, the coil, fan and other components. It can also spread throughout the system to other area\’s of your house.
Preventing & Removing Mold in a Heat Pump – Periodic Maintenance & Cleaning
Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your mini-split system every 12 months. We recommend you at least check the unit, or have someone check it every 6 – 12 months. We highly recommend getting a certified, insured professional cleaner as if not done properly it can damage your machine and your home electrics. The Heat Pump runs on electricity so extreme care must be taken when cleaning. Use the following steps as a guideline:
“We recommend you at least check the unit, or have someone check it every 6 – 12 months”
How To Clean A Heat Pump (information purpose only)
We do NOT recommend cleaning your own heat pump head, and if you are not an electrician, or trained HVAC specialist, we advise you call a professional cleaner, or contact us for help or advice or to arrange cleaning. The following is for educational purposes only.
- Powering down the unit at exterior condenser unit (extremely important)
- Removing filters, screens, main covers, guards & louvres
- Spraying industrial non-acidic mold foam and pressure washing the coils, blower wheel, and internal parts
- Cleaning the outdoor condenser unit
- Reassembling and testing the system function & operation
WATCH A HEAT PUMP GO FROM MOLD TO CLEAN BELOW!
Or call a professional heat pump cleaner and let us take care of it!
“We highly recommend getting a professional to clean & service your heat pump, to keep everyone safe, and prevent damage to the mini-split system, or the home electrics”
902-302-1040
Stay safe, breath fresh air,
Damo and the Heat Pump Cleaning team