When considering the maintenance of your Halifax home’s heating and cooling systems, heat pump cleaning is an essential maintenance task that is often neglected. Regardless of the type of heat pump you may have whether it’s an air-source heat pump, ductless mini-split unit or geothermal system, regular maintenance and cleaning of your system ensures the heat pump is operating at its most efficient, energy-efficient and is extending the usable life of your heat pump. A clean heat pump operates more efficiently which leads to reduced utility bills and costly repairs later on. This brings up the age-old question many homeowners ask: Should I clean my heat pump or pay a professional HVAC technician in Halifax to clean my heat pump? In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of DIY vs. professional heat pump, safety considerations, breakdown of costs and how it could benefit you.

Why Heat Pump Cleaning Matters

Before you decide between doing it yourself or hiring someone else, you should consider what is involved in cleaning your heat pump and why it matters. 

Key Benefits of Regular Heat Pump Cleaning

• Better energy efficiency: Dirty coils, filters and fans restrict airflow, meaning your heat pump needs to work extra to use extra energy. 
• Longer equipment life: Accumulated dust and debris creates wear and tear resulting in parts having a shorter lifespan.
• Better indoor air quality: Cleaning your system will improve the ability of the unit to eliminate allergens, dust and bacteria from your home’s air. 
• Consistent heating and cooling: A clean heat pump will allow for the best airflow and temperature throughout the home. 
• Reduced repair bills: Doing routine preventative maintenance will help identify issues early prior to larger cost issues.

DIY Heat Pump Cleaning — What You Can Do Yourself

Cleaning your heat pump can save you money and give you some familiarity with your system, but you should limit your DIY projects to only those that do not require a level of expertise or level of comfort that you do not have.

Common DIY Tasks for Homeowners

1. Cleaning or Replacing Air Filters

• Frequency: Every 1-3 months
• Tools Needed: None or a vacuum cleaner
• How-To: Turn off the heater, then remove the filters and wash or replace them. Rinse the reusable filters with water and allow them to fully dry before replacing them.

2. Outdoor Unit Maintenance

• Frequency: Seasonal (spring and fall) before the Halifax weather hits
• What to Do:
  • Remove leaves, grass and other debris from around the unit.
  • With a garden hose (low pressure), rinse off the coil fins.
  • Trim back any plant life and vegetation to at least a 2-foot distance from the unit.
  • Look for any visible signs of rust or damage.

3. Cleaning the Indoor Coils (Carefully)

Caution Required:  Use a soft brush or aim to use a no-rinse coil cleaner. Be gentle as changes in the coil fins can lead to expensive repairs.

4. Checking Drainage Lines

If you can see any visible clogs in the condensate drain line, you can remove them using a vacuum or pipe cleaner to avoid mold growth and water leaks.

Pros of DIY Cleaning

• Cost-effective
• Immediate action possible
• Good for simple, surface-level maintenance

Cons of DIY Cleaning

• Limited access to internal components
• Risk of damage or voiding warranty
• Safety risks (especially around refrigerants or electrical parts)
• May miss underlying mechanical or electrical issues

Professional Heat Pump Cleaning — Why It’s Worth the Investment

Although there are some tasks that you can do yourself, if you want preventative heat pump maintenance performed safely and correctly, then a professional HVAC technician in Halifax has the training, tools and knowledge to complete a thorough maintenance service. 

What’s Included in Professional Heat Pump Cleaning?

A typical professional cleaning and tune-up service will include:

• Cleaning coils and indoor and outdoor units
• Checking electrical connections
• Lubricating moving parts
• Checking refrigerant levels and pressure
• Testing system operation and calibrating thermostat
• Flushing and disinfecting condensate drain line
• Verifying airflow and checking for leaks in air ducts
• Identifying any other signs of wear or failed observations

Benefits of Hiring a Professional

• Thorough and safe cleaning
• Early detection of issues (e.g. refrigerant leaks, motor problems)
• Maintenance of the manufacturer warranty
• Saves time and reduce stress
• Often part of a seasonal HVAC maintenance service agreement

Cost of Professional Heat Pump Cleaning

In general, expect to pay up to 500$ for a professional heat pump cleaning service, despite your location, type of heat pump system and company providing service. While this may appear to be a hefty upfront price tag, when you consider that a one-time service can save you hundreds or thousand of dollars in repairs and/or energy savings, it is worth it.

DIY vs. Professional — Key Comparison

When Should You Hire a Professional?

While cleaning filters and clearing debris is a great start, there are situations where seeking professional help is not only recommended, but also necessary. 

Signs You Need Professional Heat Pump Cleaning or Service

• Unusual noises (grinding, buzzing, fluttering, etc.) 
• Inadequate airflow or uneven temperatures 
• Higher energy bills with normal usage 
• Mildewy or unusual smells coming from vents 
• Frost or ice on the outdoor unit 
• Water leaking around the indoor unit 
• System short-cycling or won’t come on 

If you notice any of these signs, contact a professional right away. A certified HVAC technician of Halifax can identify and fix the problem, which will help prevent things from getting worse. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, a mix of DIY maintenance and professional heat pump cleanings will keep your heat pump performing and happy throughout the year.

• Work on doing some simple tasks: cleaning filters and clearing away the debris around the outdoor unit. 
• Schedule a professional cleaning and inspection once or twice a year for preventative maintenance and peace of mind.

If ever in doubt, always contact an HVAC professional like Breath Assured, especially when working on internal components, refrigerant systems or complicated electrical parts. By dedicating a few hours for a little monetary investment a few times a year, you are doing your due diligence to protect your home comfort system, extend the life of the system and potentially avoid surprises in your energy bills.

Ready for Professional Heat Pump Cleaning?

If you need qualified, professional heat pump cleaning services, our certified HVAC technicians at Breath Assured can help get your heat pump back in top operating condition across the whole HRM. We offer well-priced, extensive maintenance programs that will have your equipment operating like new.

Call us for a free quote or to book your next heat pump cleaning appointment!

• Licensed & insured
• Locally trusted
• Satisfaction guaranteed