Understanding your Heat Pump unit is vital to any homeowner whether your home is ten years old or fresh off the market, because even new air conditioning units need maintenance. You should be aware of your air conditioner's drain pipe (located near your heat pump compressor on the exterior of your home). Be sure that the drain pipe is flowing freely. This means that the drain pipe is unobstructed by dirt or landscaping debris. Failure to maintain this pipe will lead to drain water backing up into your home from the location of your heat pump air handler. Also, clean your filter (inside the unit) monthly, especially in the summer months. Failure to properly maintain your filter, especially during the intense heat of the summer, will result in air restriction and the freezing of the air handler unit located in your home or garage. For the purpose of cleaning your filter (located beneath your air handler) multiple times, your heat pump unit is equipped with a washable filter. To clean your filter: Open the lower portion of your unit as shown in the attached photos, remove the filter, hose it clean and reinstall the filter into the unit properly. There is no need to let the filter dry before reinstalling. 

Every spring, the outdoors is enjoyed by most of us living in North Florida. The beauty of the spring and summer also brings the high percentage of pollen floating in the air that we breathe both outside, as well as, inside our homes. Each time we open our doors and enter our homes the mold and pollen particles follow us. This is not a concern to most, but for those of us who are allergic to these particles, the entrance of mold and pollen can lead to sickness. However, sickness can be controlled or even prevented by adding a hypo-allergenic filter and/or UV light to your unit. If pollen and mold particles is a problem in your home or you would like more information about these add-ons to your air handler, please feel free to call our office and we will arrange an appointment with our Heat Pump representative to come to your home and discuss the benefits and also answer any of your questions. (NOTE: Your air handler automatically removes humidity from your home and drains the excess water down the drain pipe to the exterior of your home.)

Our goal at Erkinger Home Builders, Inc. is to insure that you enjoy your home for years to come and I hope that with this new information you will be able to maintain an even better, more enjoyable home.

Matthew A. Erkinger, Sr.
President, Erkinger Home Builders, Inc.