♻️ Heat Pump Maintenance
Heat Pump Maintenance and Tune-Up, Booked Before Each Season
Schedule professional heat pump maintenance at least once a year, ideally before the season when you rely on the system most. Some manufacturers and contractors recommend a check before both seasons, because one heat pump heats in winter and cools in summer. Use the tool to see when your tune-up is due. Then read what a tune-up covers, what you can safely do alone, and what needs a technician.
25+ years of experience TSSA licensed & certified Serving Halton, Hamilton & Brantford
Is It Due?
Is My Heat Pump Tune-Up Due?
Answer one question to see where you stand: when was your last professional heat pump tune-up?
01
Within the last 6 months — Not due yet
Your last tune-up is recent, so there is nothing to book now. Keep checking the filter every month, and plan the next tune-up about a year after the last one, before a season.
02
6 to 12 months ago — Due at the next window
The fall (September to November) or spring (March to May) window is open now, so this is a good time to book. If neither window is open yet, plan your heat pump tune-up for fall (September to November) or spring (March to May).
03
More than 12 months ago, or never, or I am not sure — Overdue
The fall (September to November) or spring (March to May) window is open now. Book your heat pump tune-up before the heating or cooling season. If it is outside the usual windows, book for fall (September to November) or spring (March to May), and if the unit has already stopped working, go to heat pump repair.
Why it matters
Why Heat Pump Maintenance Matters and When to Book It
Book one professional heat pump tune-up every year, in fall before the heating season or in spring before the cooling season. However, sources differ on how often to go. Natural Resources Canada recommends seasonal check-ups with a licensed contractor, and the U.S. Department of Energy says at least once a year. Trane recommends a checkup twice a year, while Daikin recommends one before each season.
The reason is simple. According to Natural Resources Canada, a dirty filter can raise your energy costs and damage the system. Also, one heat pump runs through winter and summer, so a small fault has two seasons to show itself.
If you can only book one visit, book it before the heating season, because a winter failure costs you the most comfort.
01
Once a year, at minimum
One professional tune-up covers the whole system, outdoors and indoors.
02
Before a season
Fall before heating, and spring before cooling.
03
Monthly at home
Check the filter and the outdoor unit, and clear snow after each snowfall.
Compare
Heat Pump Tune-Up vs Heat Pump Maintenance: What Is the Difference?
A tune-up tests and measures, while maintenance cleans and cares for the parts. A full visit covers both, so you book them together.
| Heat Pump Maintenance | Heat Pump Tune-Up |
|---|---|
| Cleaning and inspection | Testing and measurements |
| Coil cleaning | Refrigerant testing |
| Filter and airflow check | Electrical testing |
| Drain inspection | Defrost and reversing valve testing |
| Outdoor unit cleaning | Heating and cooling performance testing |
| Ducts or ductless indoor heads, where they apply | Thermostat and safety control testing |
Test and measure
What a Heat Pump Tune-Up Includes
A heat pump tune-up is the testing part of the visit. The technician measures and tests, so you learn whether the system is ready for the coming season. Items like these appear on checklists from Trane, the U.S. Department of Energy and Ontario contractors.
Refrigerant level and leaks
They check the charge and look for leaks. In Ont