Q for the HVAC guys, HPump "exercise"

[osagebow]

We have a 2 year old trane heat pump, primarily for cooling duty. I let it run a bit in the winter, and the wife asked "why" today. I know I heard to do that on here.

What is the reason, and how often/long should it be run?
Our old one Sat for years, then ran great for years before a local guy overpressurized it and screwed it up
Thanks!
OB

 

[Jags]

Things in motion tend to stay in motion. Things at rest tend to stay at rest.

 

[HVAC_Marc]

a heat pump, as well as an air conditioner, is a sealed system (when installed correctly). having it sit idle for years at a time will not hurt any of the internal components. corrosion may inhibit external moving parts (contactors and motors, and circuit boards may crumble) but that corrosion would happen whether or not the parts are used.

 

[osagebow]

Thanks all!