Heat pump : A heat pump is a device for transferring energy in the form of useful heat from one place to another. It cannot store, make or destroy heat energy it simply moves it. There are a number of techniques that exploit heat transfer the commonest in use is the Refrigeration Cycle. A heat pump is capable of transforming a large quantity of low grade, low temperature heat. Some air source systems will operate in winter ambient conditions down to 5˚C. Heat pumps are available that can operate in a variety of media air, water, glycol etc. Heat pump is an encased assembly or assemblies designed as a unit to provide delivery of heat. It includes an electrically operated refrigeration system for heating. It can have means for cooling, circulating, cleaning, and dehumidifying the air. The cooling is by means of reversing the refrigeration cycle.
Heating Only Heat Pump : Ground Source Heat Pump Systems are often optimized specially to deliver heating only these units are often capable of delivering greater overall energy efficiencies than reversible units because the system is designed for a constant unvarying load above the freezing point of water at the evaporator section and can dispense with the Defrost Cycle.
Heat Pump Maintenance
Heat pump maintenance is the key to enjoy an efficient heating system. In order to avoid dirty filters and clogged heat ex-changers, improper setting, you need to check regularly on its settings whether you have a conventional or a high-efficiency system. Both need proper check up and maintenance so you will continually ensure an economical and problem-free heating system. The focus of your heat pump maintenance should be on cleaning the electronic air filter according to its manufacturer’s recommendation as the devices performance depends largely on its state. In addition, you can have a HVAC technician to repair it. At times, that it would not generate any heat; you can fix this problem on your own by checking the master switch and circuit breaker or commonly known as the fuse. Sometimes it would only mean that the electrical system is overloaded so if you do not find any tripped circuit or the fuse, then it is possible that your thermostat will be faulty.
It is then necessary to call for an expert in this case he would know best on how to troubleshoot this problem. In order to avoid further problems, you should hire a technician that will conduct regular heat pump maintenance so you can continually enjoy a seamless and efficient unit.
The common problems faced by most users are as below
Temperature fluctuation in different rooms there may be a difference in room temperature, which may be caused if the damper is not installed or is not set correctly to maintain proper air balance. Also check the heat filters; they should be cleaned if they are dirty.
Another of the heat pump problems could be receiving cold air in winter. To rectify it, check if the thermostat has been set properly, or the pump’s circuit breaker has not tripped. Another cause may be low quantity of refrigerant in the heat pumps, in which case you will have to take it to the mechanic.
Freezing of heat pump in winter is a common problem seen in winters, which may again be caused by lesser quantity of refrigerant in the unit. Dirt accumulation in filters and evaporation coil of the system, or defective defrost timer can also cause this problem.
Typical heat pump problems consist of constantly running of the outdoor unit, which may be caused by a problem in the thermostat. Generally, a technician should be called to resolve this issue.
Noise coming from the indoor unit: This heat pump problem could be caused if the bearing of the motor get burnt out. As a result the belt, that connects the fan to the motor slips. This problem could also be caused if there is a breakage in the belt. Sometimes noise can also be heard from air ducts due to thermal expansion. A rattling noise can also be heard from the heat pumps if the covering panel is not screwed in tightly.
Constant turning on and off heat pumps could be caused by the defective thermostat and by the overheating of the unit. Overheating of the unit can also be caused by a dirty filter or clogged blower. The filter should be cleaned or replaced to solve these heat pump problems.
If you use your Scanair Industrial heat pumps on a regular basis, you should clean the filters monthly once with mild detergent through running tap water in opposite direction the dust completely cleaned you may have to change the filter about three years once if you only run the unit periodically. Keep fans and coils clean and free from dusts, and have your heat pump inspected by a professional once every six months.
There are a few things you can do to identify and possibly fix a heat pump problem before calling for professional help. First, if the unit isn’t working, try resetting its motor OLR. Check the line voltage in the system for problems, and make sure you don’t have a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. Check the thermostat to make sure it’s working properly. Change the filter if it’s dirty, and make sure there are no airflow blockages. If the air ducts are making noise when they expand and contract, you could try putting a dent in the side of the duct to make the surface more rigid. Rattles may be fixed by fastening loose parts, and if you’re hearing squeaks inside the unit, you may need to replace or adjust the fan belt connecting the motor and the fan. A grinding noise indicate that the bearings on the motor are worn out, which will require the help of a professional to fix.