When you spend thousands on a brand-new HVAC system, even the smallest dent can feel like a big problem. 

That's exactly what one homeowner discovered when their freshly installed heat pump arrived with bent fins. The homeowner shared a close-up of the unit's exterior on Reddit.

"Installer just dropped this unit off today. What should I tell them when they come back tomorrow? Can it be fixed?" they asked in their post.

The image shows visible bends in a few areas along the fins, prompting responses ranging from reassurances to repair suggestions.

Bent fins are not an uncommon sight on HVAC equipment, including standard window air conditioners and not specific to any one type of device or brand, as a result of handling during shipping or installation. But that doesn't make the homeowner's frustration any less relatable.

While a few commenters insisted bent fins should be fixed with a tool like a fin comb, others said the damage was mostly cosmetic and reassured the original poster that they can be straightened and won't have a real effect on performance. 

"It can be fixed. A LOT of these units come with minor things like this," said one commenter.

"Literally 30 seconds with a fin comb," said another. "The bent fins are not hurting the unit at all."

Along those lines, BobVila.com published an article with advice on HVAC equipment maintenance, with one of the key tips being how to address bent fins: "Running a fin brush slowly and parallel to the line of the fins could straighten them out. This will improve the performance of your AC unit by increasing the exposed surface area for the coils."

But the home improvement site made it clear the fins are not a big deal, continuing: "If you don't want to invest in a piece of specialized equipment like the fin brush, skip this step. Correcting bent fins goes above and beyond the task at hand — cleaning the coils — from which your machine will already receive an efficiency boost."

Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy a heat pump? Lower energy bills 💰 Better temperature control 🌡️ Helping the planet 🌎 I'd never buy a heat pump 🚫 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

If you notice this before, during, or just after installation, you could also ask the installer to rectify the fins, as they are sure to have a fin brush. In the event they are unable to resolve some type of damage, though, you could insist on a replacement unit or work out a resolution so you can still take advantage of the massively bill-reducing technology.

Heating and cooling your home can account for more than 40% of your total energy bills, making a reliable system critical. That's why many people turn to trusted brands like Mitsubishi, which offers options such as mini-split systems that provide both heating and cooling with state-of-the-art efficiency. 

Not only can heat pumps like these outperform traditional HVAC in energy efficiency, but they also unlock financial benefits through tax credits, rebates, and long-term savings.

And the clock is ticking. Many federal clean energy tax credits for home upgrades are set to expire at the end of 2025. Acting sooner rather than later could be worth thousands of dollars. 

Mitsubishi makes it easier to find the right setup for every home and can even connect you with trained professionals in its trusted installer network. That means homeowners don't have to navigate the process by guessing at a contractor who might be properly trained with the specific unit they want, whether they're worried about bent fins or just want to maximize energy savings.

All in all, small exterior dents may not sink your system since the good stuff is on the inside, but investing in an efficient heat pump upgrade can have an outsized impact on both your wallet and the planet.

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