The Ultimate Maintenance Checklist for Your Heat Pump (Jake’s 2025 Guide)

“It’s Cheaper to Maintain Than Replace”

Hey there, Jake again. You ever hear the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” Yeah, that doesn’t fly in HVAC.

Your heat pump may not be visibly leaking or on fire (yet), but that doesn’t mean it’s performing its best. Most breakdowns I get called out for—blown compressors, iced coils, failed capacitors—could’ve been avoided with a little TLC. 

So let’s break down exactly how to keep your heat pump happy. I’ll walk you through seasonal tasks, tools to keep on hand, when to call a pro, and how this all affects your energy bill and warranty.

📋 Why Maintenance Actually Matters (Even If It’s “Working Fine”)

Let me hit you with a few fast facts:

• A dirty filter can increase energy use by up to 15%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

• Ignoring seasonal checkups can cut your unit’s lifespan in half.

• And guess what? Warranties can be voided if you don’t follow manufacturer maintenance guidelines.

That’s why I always tell homeowners: maintenance is insurance. It keeps your system efficient, reliable, and under warranty. Skip it, and you’ll be calling me at 2 a.m. when your house turns into a sauna in July—or worse, a freezer in January.

🔄 Monthly Maintenance Tasks (Quick & Easy)

These are simple steps you can knock out with a flashlight and a little elbow grease.

1. Change the Air Filter

📅 Every 1–3 months

Use a pleated MERV 8–11 filter (don’t go too high unless you’ve got allergies). Slide it out, slide a new one in. If you have pets or live in a dusty area, check monthly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and cause the compressor to overwork.

Need help choosing filters? Consumer Reports has an up-to-date guide for every home type.

2. Clear Debris Around the Outdoor Unit

📅 Twice a month

Leaves, mulch, grass, snow—it all chokes your condenser’s airflow. Keep a 2-ft radius clear. If you mow, point the chute away. If it snows, shovel around the unit, not onto it.

🍂 Seasonal Maintenance: Spring & Fall Prep

Now we’re getting into more involved stuff, but still DIY-friendly for handy homeowners.

3. Clean the Coils

📅 Spring & Fall

• Shut the unit off at the disconnect box

• Spray the outdoor coils with a coil cleaner (available at any HVAC supply store)

• Let it foam, rinse it with a garden hose—no pressure washers!

Dirty coils reduce heat transfer and can drive your energy use up 20% or more. This Energy Star guide has tips straight from the pros.

4. Inspect Refrigerant Lines

📅 Spring

Look for frost, oil stains, or insulation breakdown on the suction line (the bigger of the two copper lines). If you see anything weird—like ice in summer or oily residue—call in a tech. You’ve probably got a refrigerant leak or insulation issue.

🌬️ Check the Indoor Air Handler (That Big Box Inside)

If your Goodman 3-ton heat pump is matched with the AMST36CU1300 vertical air handler, you’ve got a solid setup—but it still needs some love.

5. Check the Drain Line

📅 Spring & Summer

Heat pumps dehumidify, and all that water goes somewhere. Usually into a PVC drain line leading to a floor drain or condensate pump. Check for:

• Standing water

• Gunk buildup

• Algae (yes, really)

Use a wet/dry vac or pour diluted vinegar through the line to keep it clear. Clogged lines can flood basements or cause your system to shut down.

6. Inspect Blower Motor & Assembly

📅 Fall

Shut off power, remove access panel, and look for:

• Dust-covered blower wheel (that’s your airflow killer)

• Loose wires

• Bad capacitor bulges

Blower wheels can be cleaned using a brush or gentle compressed air. If you’re not comfortable, call in a pro.

🔧 Annual Maintenance (Time to Call in the Pros)

Here’s where you let the experts take the wheel. Even if you’re the handiest person on the block, a licensed tech should inspect, test, and calibrate your system at least once a year.

7. Schedule a Pro Tune-Up

📅 Every 12 months (preferably Spring)

What should your tech do?

• Verify refrigerant charge using superheat/subcooling method

• Check static pressure and airflow

• Clean indoor and outdoor coils

• Inspect and tighten electrical connections

• Test contactor and capacitor (common failure points)

• Confirm defrost cycle operation in winter

• Lubricate motors (if applicable)

• Test thermostat calibration

Make sure they follow a Manual S verification for equipment sizing and duct match. Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has a complete QI (Quality Installation) standard.

🧊 Winter Maintenance: Cold Weather Doesn’t Mean “Off Duty”

8. Keep the Defrost Cycle in Check

📅 Winter

Your heat pump has a built-in defrost mode to keep ice from building up on the outdoor coil. But if it runs too often, it could be a sign of low refrigerant, a bad sensor, or a failing reversing valve.

Watch for:

• Steam clouds every 30–90 minutes (normal)

• Entire unit freezing over (not normal)

• Defrost cycle triggering constantly (call a tech)

Use a heat pump designed for cold weather or add auxiliary heat strips. Learn more at the DOE’s cold-climate heat pump guidelines.

🧯 Tools to Keep on Hand (Jake’s Quick List)

• MERV 8–11 air filters (bulk order online)

• Wet/dry shop vac

• White vinegar or algae tablets

• HVAC coil cleaner

• Garden hose (no pressure washer!)

• Screwdriver set

• Flashlight or inspection mirror

• Notebook to track service history

⚠️ When to Call a Pro (Don’t Be a Cowboy)

Some folks love DIY, and that’s great. But if you spot any of the following, it’s time to call an HVAC technician:

• Ice on the outdoor coil in summer

• Weird smells from the vents (burnt, moldy, metallic)

• Tripped breakers

• System short cycling (rapid on/off)

• Condenser fan not spinning

• Suction line frost

And remember: refrigerant work requires an EPA 608 license. No exceptions. You legally can’t buy, handle, or recharge refrigerant without it.

Need to find someone legit? Use NATE’s technician locator to find certified help near you.

📚 What Happens If You Skip Maintenance?

Let me paint you a picture:

• You forget to change the filter → your coils clog

• Your compressor overheats → your system short cycles

• You burn out the motor → $1,000 repair bill

• You void the warranty → goodbye free parts

• You replace the entire unit 5 years too early

Yeah. Don’t be that guy.

✅ Jake’s Master Maintenance Schedule