Heat Pump & Furnace Filter Care

Replace or clean the forced-air system filters every 6 months, unless they become clogged with dust sooner. Not only will this help keep your room air dust-free, it will keep your heat pump operating more efficiently. Anything that blocks the free flow of air reduces efficiency. For filters located in the return-air duct registers in your home, just remove the cover and replace as shown in the photo.

Here’s how to change or clean a heat pump or furnace filter in the air-handler cabinet:



1) Turn off the power to the unit.



2) Look for the door or panel that conceals the blower; sometimes this is marked “Filter.” Lift this door or panel off of its holding hooks or unscrew its retaining screws to remove it.



3) A standard filter is mounted next to or under the blower motor. Slide the filter out along its tracks. Check to see whether it is a disposable filter or intended to be cleaned and replaced—this should be marked on the filter’s edge, along with directions for cleaning, if applicable. If it’s a disposable filter, its size will more than likely be printed on the frame’s edge. Make a note of it.



4) Buy a replacement filter and slide it back into place, noting that arrows stamped on the side indicate the proper direction of airflow; be sure you face these in the proper direction. Then replace the door to the cabinet.

HomeTips Pro Tip: Have your heat pump or furnace inspected annually (typically before the heating season) by a qualified service technician. A yearly inspection will ensure that the air handler is operating properly and efficiently, that the ductwork is not leaking expensively heated or cooled air, and that the system is operating safely. In fact, it is ideal to have a heat pump serviced before both the heating and cooling seasons.

General Maintenance

Keep the outdoor condenser of your heat pump clean and free of snow, leaves, and debris. To clean the condenser's coils, use a soft brush on a vacuum or a refrigerator coil brush to gently clean dirt from the outside of the coils.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can also tackle cleaning out the condenser unit.

Shut off the power to the unit at the circuit breaker, as shown in the photo, and remove the side and top panels from the condenser unit. Scoop dirt and debris out from inside the cabinet area. For stubborn dirt caked on the inside of the coils, spray on a commercial air conditioner coil cleaner from the inside (don't spray the electrical parts or the fan). If necessary, use a hose with a strong, focused stream to blast out dirt--again, avoid electrical components. Be sure to wear goggles when spraying.

Some fan motors and fans need oiling; some have sealed bearings. If recommended by your owner’s manual, oil the bearings according to the manufacturer’s directions.

For information on trouble shooting and repairing heat pumps, see Heat Pump Troubleshooting & Repairs.