Heat Pump Maintenance

What's Included in a Heat Pump Tune-Up

Our annual heat pump maintenance covers both the cooling-mode and heating-mode operation, plus the components unique to heat pump systems that an AC-only tune-up would miss.

1. Refrigerant charge verification - superheat and subcooling in both cooling and heating mode
2. Reversing valve inspection - the component that switches the system between heat and cool; checked for sticking or partial actuation
3. Defrost control board test - heat pumps automatically defrost the outdoor coil; we verify the cycle initiates and terminates correctly
4. Outdoor coil cleaning - pollen, leaves, and yard debris reduce heat transfer; we rinse and inspect
5. Indoor coil inspection - leak check, drainage verification
6. Blower motor amp draw - measured against nameplate spec
7. Capacitor microfarad test - dual-run capacitor on the outdoor unit, blower capacitor on the indoor unit
8. Contactor inspection - pitted contacts replaced before failure
9. Electrical connection torque - vibration loosens connections over time
10. Auxiliary heat strip operation - on systems with electric backup heat, we verify all elements activate
11. Thermostat calibration - especially on systems with smart thermostats that may have firmware updates available
12. Condensate drain flush - clog prevention before summer cooling-mode operation

Why Twice-a-Year Service Beats Annual

Heat pumps benefit more than any other HVAC equipment from biannual service - one tune-up in spring before cooling season, one in fall before heating season. The reason: heat pumps run roughly twice as many hours per year as an AC-only or furnace-only system. Twice the runtime means twice the wear, twice the drift in refrigerant charge, and twice the dust accumulation. We offer single-visit and biannual maintenance plans - call 816-377-1400 to discuss what fits your system.

When to Schedule

Best timing for a heat pump tune-up in the Kansas City metro:

• Spring (March-May): before cooling-mode runtime begins. Catch low refrigerant, dirty coil, or failed capacitor before the first 90F day.
• Fall (September-November): before heating-mode runtime begins. Verify the reversing valve switches cleanly and defrost cycle works.
• After unusual events: hailstorm damage to the outdoor coil, ice storm with heavy buildup on the unit, or any year where you missed the regular tune-up window.

Service Areas

Blue Springs (HQ), Overland Park (satellite), Independence, Lee's Summit, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, Leawood, Prairie Village, Kansas City MO, Columbia, Jefferson City, and the 38-city KC metro plus central Missouri service area.

FAQs - Heat Pump Maintenance