Why it matters
Prevents costly damageSkipping it eventually leads to water damage or an expensive repair.
Staying on schedule matters beyond the repair bill: a consistent maintenance record is one of the factors in a home's Roots Home Health Score, and well-kept homes typically sell faster and closer to asking price.
How to do it
A heat pump both heats and cools, so it runs nearly year-round and benefits from twice-the-wear attention. A professional service checks refrigerant, the reversing valve, and the defrost cycle that keeps it working in winter.
- Book an HVAC tech, ideally in spring or fall between the heavy seasons.
- Have them check refrigerant charge, the reversing valve, and defrost operation, and clean both coils.
- Ask them to test the auxiliary or backup heat strips and the electrical connections.
- Keep the report to track refrigerant, since a heat pump that needs regular top-ups has a leak.
Alternatives & optional extras
- Because it runs year-round, a service plan with two visits suits a heat pump better than one.
- Cold-climate heat pumps rely on the defrost cycle; make sure the tech verifies it works.
Time: ~1.3 hours · Typical cost: $100–$200 per service
Mostly a pro job for the refrigerant and reversing-valve checks; you handle filters and clearance.
If you skip it
Without service, refrigerant faults or a failing reversing valve leave you without heat or cooling in the season you need it most.
Other heat pump maintenance
- Replace heat pump air filter — every 3 months
Related systems to keep on schedule
- Boiler / radiators — start with: schedule boiler service, once a year, ideally in September
- Furnace / heating system — start with: replace hvac air filter, every 3 months
- Mini-split / ductless AC — start with: clean mini-split filters, once a month
- Air conditioner — start with: schedule ac tune-up, once a year, ideally in April