Views: 1853 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2021-11-15 Origin: Site
A pool heat pump is a great investment in your home’s social life, health, and entertainment. Now, just like any other asset, you want to ensure you protect and maintain it in the best way possible.
That means cleaning it and doing regular maintenance. This will not only make sure it works optimally but also extend its lifespan. But how do you go about well without damaging or interfering with it? To help you save money on electricity bills as well as ensure top performance for several years, here are actionable tips on how to maintain and clean your swimming pool heat pump:
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it is good to understand how heat pumps work. Did you know that these units don't generate heat? Instead, they operate by drawing heat from the outside environment and then distributing it to the pool water! With that in mind, let us dive into simple things you can do to make sure it is working well and properly.
The first step is to make sure that there is enough airflow around the unit. Because the heat pump is likely outside, ensure no walls or plants will hinder air from moving into the machine. This is important because even partial blockage will make it overwork, which means more energy and more money.
This is a fairly simple endeavor and doesn't need any special material or equipment;
Shut the unit off at the main switch or the circuit breaker and then use an air sprayer like a garden hose( simple hosing is enough) with a nozzle to spray the coil's external area from top to bottom.
If you are unsure what a coil is, these are metal vanes surrounding the unit, where air enters the heater. The coil usually draws heat from the outside environment and can become inefficient when clogged with debris or dirt. Do not use a pressure washer for this. If greasy dirt is the problem, you can use a mild cleanser.
Use a gentle but firm approach when spraying as you work around the perimeter from top to bottom. Please do not use a lot of pressure( this is why a pressure washer is not recommended), as it can bend the coil’s fins.
Avoid using detergents or cleaners, and be sure only to use freshwater. If you cannot drink it, do not use it, that is a rule of thumb! Recycled water tends to be acidic or extremely basic, which is not good for the pump.
If dirt or algae is on the coil, spray simple Green, wait for about 5 minutes, then wash. The nozzle should be at a 45-degree angle and spray on the fins, not the sides.
Experts recommend that you clean the vanes at least once a year and then check the unit every month to ascertain if more cleaning is required. This will help maintain the unit's efficiency in moving heat from the air to the swimming pool water. Similarly, if it is cooling the pool, cleaning these coils will make the unit efficient at transferring heat from the pool to the air. A clogged coil minimizes airflow as well as the movement of heat in either direction.
Also, note that if the unit is in a dusty environment, consider cleaning it more often. Keep landscaping growth and weeds away from the unit. Similarly, watch out for grass clippings and dryer vents that may cause debris to build on your coil. Avoid inserting any tool inside the unit when clearing debris from the coil. Spraying water well is more than enough to remove all the foreign material.
When the unit is still off, clean out any leaves and muck at the bottom of the pool heat pump. A dry or wet vacuum cleaner is ideal here, or if you are tall, you can bend over and scoop it using your hand. Also, make sure you clean the side opening well so that rainwater goes out quickly through the bottom and does not accumulate inside.
Use a rag and a cleanser to clean off the fan blade tips. They can develop a dirty edge. Also, check the fan for wobbles which is a sign of bad bearing.
For proper operation of the heat pump and your safety, ensure all the wiring from your breaker box is encased in a good conduit with proper connections on both ends. Check inside the control panel from chewed or loose wiring and contact an expert if anything appears improper.
Check the insulation of the refrigerant: The black foam insulation can diminish over time. So, to keep the pump functioning well, go for new insulation at a local store.
Debris from around can get lodged into the system's air intake over time and make it work harder than it should be. Fortunately, getting rid of the debris is a relatively simple process; follow these steps:
Requirements
Shop-vac
Gloves
Locate the machine’s air intake: This is very easy to spot. In many units, the air intake is usually located on the top side or the whole side of it. Just look for grates; you will find them.
Clean the debris from the air intakes: Take the shop vacuum cleaner and clean all the debris from these areas. You can try playing around with some features of the shop vac to determine which one is good at removing the debris.
That said, though you can maintain your system at home, it is not a bad idea to have it maintained by an expert. Besides, swimming pool heat pumps are not cheap, and if you are not sure how to maintain them, it is good to talk to your local expert.
Also of Interest:
The Right Way to Install Swimming Pool Air Source Heat Pumps
Air to Water Swimming Pool Heat Pumps vs. Traditional Pool Water Heaters
