Heat pumps have a lot of different advantages to recommend them. They are energy efficient, space efficient, and all-around convenient! However, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of if you are currently using one for your home. Mainly, you need to be aware that heat pumps actually wear down faster than other kinds of systems. They’re used twice as often as traditional air conditioners or heaters, after all. Sooner or later, that wear and tear will lead to you needing to replace the heat pump. If you’re not sure when to replace your heat pump, read on for some initial warning signs that your current one is reaching the end of its life.
High Monthly Costs
The older a heat pump gets, the more it will wear down and the more efficiency it will lose. The falling efficiency of the system will force it to operate for longer periods of time in order to accomplish the same temperature changes. This causes the system to cost more and more from month to month as the system wears down. If your heat pump is costing you more to use on a monthly basis because of wear and tear, it’s likely that the only solution is to replace the system entirely.
Frequent Repairs
It’s not a big deal to need to repair your heat pump every once in a while. If you need to repair it every few months, though, you should worry. Breaking down that frequently is often a sign that the system is nearing the end of its life, as the wear on the various parts of the system causes them to fail in rapid succession. This problem will worsen the longer you insist on using the system. You can replace the system in full, or you can spend the next couple of years replacing it a single part at a time. The former is much more cost-effective than the latter, if that helps you make a decision.
Old Age
The average lifespan for a heat pump is around 10 to 15 years. After that point, it will often start to accumulate chronic issues that will further reduce its energy efficiency. The older the heat pump gets, the more prone to developing expensive problems it will become. If your heat pump is older than 15 years, we highly recommend that you consult with a technician about whether you should replace it now or wait another year or two.
These are just a few of the more common signs that your heat pump might be nearing the end of its life. As always, we recommend having a technician check out your system in-person before you make any decisions about whether to replace your heat pump.