Introduction
Ductless heat pumps should be checked periodically to see if they need a deep cleaning to remove dust and mold and keep them operating efficiently.
Why
Ductless heat pumps are powerful, highly efficient heating and cooling devices but because of the amount of indoor air that flows through these small indoor units and the temperature changes they are subject to, they can be prone to collecting dust, cooking grease, and particulates, which could lead to the formation of bacteria and mold inside the unit. The indoor units should be checked periodically and if needed, deep cleaned every few years to keep them running at their best and to maintain a healthy indoor environment.
What You'll Need
- Step stool or ladder to reach the ductless heat pump
- Flashlight
1. Turn Off the Heat Pump.
Use the remote controller or wall thermostat to turn off the ductless heat pump air handler (Figure 1). Now you are ready to see if needs to be deep cleaned. This examination can be done every time you remove and clean the air filters in the ductless heat pump, a routine maintenance task which should be done every 2 to 3 months. (See the DIY guide Clean Ductless Heat Pump Filter)
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2. Get a step stool.
Get a ladder or step stool if needed to reach the ductless heat pump.
3. Examine the blower wheel.
Use your fingers to manually open the louvers (Figure 2). If your unit has two louvers, manually open both. Use a flashlight to look inside at the blower wheel to see the level of dust build up. If it looks like Figure 3 showing a mild amount of dust build up on the blower wheel, the unit doesn’t need a deep cleaning just yet. However, if the blower looks like Figure 4 showing a high amount of dust build up, then it is time to call an HVAC company to do a ductless heat pump deep cleaning.
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4. Reset the louvers.
To reset the position of the louver(s) turn on the heat pump, wait a few seconds, and then turn off the heat pump. This process will reset the position of the louver(s). Now you can turn it back on, and the louver(s) will be in the right position.
5. Call an HVAC Contractor.
If your ductless heat pump does need a deep cleaning call an HVAC contractor who does ductless heat pump servicing. Ask them whether their deep cleaning process involves disassembling the indoor unit to remove the blower wheel to deep clean the blower wheel and the adjacent surfaces. If it does not, call another HVAC contractor until you find a contractor who will do a comprehensive deep cleaning.
Figure 5 shows an HVAC contractor cleaning the blower wheel outside using a pressure washer and cleaning solution. Figure 6 shows an HVAC contractor cleaning the surfaces adjacent to the blower wheel that can only be reached and comprehensively cleaned with the blower wheel removed. Figure 7 shows an HVAC contractor cleaning the heat exchanger using a cleaning and disinfectant solution. The disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly process usually takes more than an hour; one to two hours is typical. Expect to pay $300 to $500 for such a cleaning. The visit will also include cleaning the outdoor unit and checking for refrigerant leaks. If your home has more than one ductless heat pump indoor unit, expect to pay more.
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