Heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool a home — but they’re also one of the most misunderstood systems I worked on in 45 years in the field. They behave differently than furnaces, they have quirks in cold weather, and most homeowners don’t know what to do when something goes wrong.
In this section you’ll find practical, field-tested articles covering how heat pumps work, how to troubleshoot common problems, when to call a technician, and how to get the most efficiency out of your system year-round. Everything here comes from real experience — not guesswork.
While in Hawaii, enjoying the beautiful weather, our cabin in Central Oregon was in the middle of a severe winter storm. The cabin was a vacation rental at the time, and the renters called, saying they had no hot water and the range was sputtering, like it was running out of propane and not lighting….
Thermostats for dual fuel heat pumps must manage switching from electric to gas heat. Here’s what to look for and which models work best to do that. In a dual fuel system, the heat pump handles mild-weather heating but loses efficiency as temperature dip toward freezing. As the outdoor temperatures drop too low, a gas…
Outdoor mini split wind baffles protect your unit from strong wind and snow. Learn when they’re needed and how to build or install one the right way. We live in the high desert of Central Oregon. Wind can be a huge obstacle for these little mini splits to draw air through the coils against a…
Many of my customers are thrilled when they realize how available these maintenance tools for mini splits are to the public. And I believe you will also. Mini split systems are efficient, quiet, and compact. But like any HVAC equipment, they need regular maintenance to perform their best. The good news? You don’t need expensive…
In the history of mini split systems, it’s interesting how quickly they have adapted into the American culture with an amazing amount of flexibility. Everyone has seen, knows of, or has a mini split. Just this morning, a friend asked me if a mini split would work in his garage. I told him to check…
How long does a heat pump last? Learn the average lifespan, signs of failure, and when to replace it for better comfort and energy savings. I’ve personally seen a heat pump that was running for 30 years. But, it was running very poorly and had been for quite a while. It probably consumed enough extra…
If you set your AC temp too low, below 70°F (21.1°C), you risk icing up the indoor air conditioning coil, which will block the airflow through the ductwork. Why is that? Because 70°F to 75°F is the optimal temperature range that engineers designed the equipment to operate within. But, BIG BUT HERE, yours could still…
Before you consider a DIY mini split install take the time to read this article. It will save you time and money. Remorse is a condition we all experience when we look back on an experience and realize we could have done something better or different. That’s why I’m offering you some ideas to consider…
You can test a heat pump in cool or heat mode, in summer or winter, with some limitations. But limit the heat mode run time in the summer. Let me explain: In the summer, only run your heat pump in the heat cycle long enough to notice that it is heating. Too long would not…
