Quick answerHeat pump maintenance in Spokane is a visit before heating season and another before cooling season. The technician cleans the outdoor and indoor coils, clears the drain, tests the defrost cycle and reversing valve, checks refrigerant pressures and electrical parts, and confirms the thermostat's backup heat lockout is set so auxiliary heat only runs when needed.
Updated September 2026
Why heat pumps need two visits a year
An air conditioner rests all winter and a furnace rests all summer. A heat pump does not rest, and it works hardest at the two extremes of the year. Dirt on the outdoor coil cuts heating and cooling output, a defrost sensor drifting out of range lets ice build up, and a weak capacitor fails on the first hot or cold spell.
Twice-yearly service catches those problems when fixing them is simple. It also gives us a chance to check the thermostat settings, which are behind a surprising number of high electric bills on heat pump systems.
What each visit covers
Fall and spring service visits
The fall visit prepares the system for heating: we test the defrost controls, reversing valve, backup heat elements or furnace changeover, and the outdoor unit's clearance from snow. The spring visit prepares it for cooling: we clean the outdoor coil of winter grime and spring pollen, check the refrigerant charge in cooling mode and clear the condensate drain. Both visits include electrical checks, capacitor testing, tightening connections and a new filter or filter check, plus a look at the line-set insulation, which cracks and falls off in sun and cold.
Defrost cycle check
The defrost cycle is what keeps a heat pump working through a Spokane winter. We force a defrost and time it. The reversing valve should switch, the outdoor fan should stop, and backup heat should temper the indoor air. Then the unit must return to heating on its own. We also test the defrost sensor and check that the base pan and the ground under the unit drain properly. Meltwater that refreezes around the coil is a main cause of winter ice buildup.
Coil and drain cleaning
We rinse the outdoor coil from the inside out, straighten bent fins and clear debris from the base. Indoors, we inspect the coil, clean it where it is dirty, and flush the condensate drain and trap so it does not back up in summer. A clean coil moves heat more easily in both directions, which lowers run times. A clear drain prevents the water damage and float-switch shutdowns that are common in the first hot week of the year.
What every heat pump visit includes
How a heat pump maintenance visit runs
- 1
Ask about performance
Any icing, noise or high bills.
- 2
Check the thermostat
Staging and backup heat lockout reviewed.
- 3
Clean the outdoor unit
Coil rinsed, base cleared, fins straightened.
- 4
Test electrical
Capacitors, contactors and connections.
- 5
Test the season
Defrost in fall, refrigerant and drain in spring.
- 6
Indoor side
Filter, coil and blower checked.
- 7
Report
Readings and any recommended repairs written up.
Aging heat pumps in north Spokane's newer homes
North Spokane's Five Mile Prairie has been converting from rural land to housing since the early 2000s, and many of those homes were built with heat pumps that are now 15 to 20 years old. At that age, capacitors, contactors, defrost sensors and fan motors start to fail. Regular service keeps an older heat pump running until you replace it on your schedule, not in a cold snap.
What affects the cost of heat pump maintenance
Between visits: your part
| Homeowner | Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Filter | Check monthly, change as needed | Confirm grade and fit |
| Outdoor unit | Keep snow, leaves and plants clear | Clean the coil and test defrost |
| Thermostat | Avoid deep setbacks in winter | Set staging and lockouts |
| Ice | Report ice that does not clear | Diagnose defrost faults |
Heat pump maintenance questions
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
Twice a year, once before heating season and once before cooling season.
Is it okay to hose off my outdoor unit?
A gentle rinse is fine with the power off. Avoid pressure washers, which flatten the fins.
Why is my electric bill high in winter?
Often backup heat is running more than it should, because of thermostat settings, a defrost problem or a dirty coil. A maintenance visit checks all three.
Do heat pump warranties require maintenance?
Many manufacturers require regular professional maintenance to keep coverage valid.
How long does a visit take?
About an hour to an hour and a half for most systems.
Other heat pumps & ductless services we handle
Ductless Mini-Split Cleaning
Seasonal service, fewer breakdowns.
Ductless Mini-Split Cleaning detailsDuctless Mini-Split Repair
Answered 24/7, parts on the truck.
Ductless Mini-Split Repair in SpokaneHeat Pump Installation
Sized, quoted and permitted.
How we handle heat pump installationKeep the heat pump ready for both seasons.
Call to schedule heat pump maintenance in Spokane, WA.
