We’re moving into summer, which means whatever you’re using for air conditioning is going to be put under a greater amount of stress than at any other time of year. If you’re relying on a heat pump to keep your home cool, and you’re not sure whether or not it will last you another summer, it might be time to install a new one. Follow the tips below to help you determine whether now is a good time to replace your heat pump with a new one.
Is Your Heat Pump Costing More to Operate?
Heat pumps lose efficiency as they age, just like most systems. Eventually, the efficiency loss will become severe enough that the system will have to operate for longer periods of time to accomplish proper temperature changes. The added operating time may not be noticeable at first, but it will definitely add to your monthly operating costs. If your heat pump seems to be costing more to operate on a monthly basis than you think it should be, it might be because it’s time to replace it.
Frequent Repair Issues
It’s not unusual for a heat pump to need repairs every once in a while. Even if the system is healthy overall, it’s not unusual for specific parts of the system to wear out and break down under certain circumstances. However, you should contact a technician if your heat pump is breaking down every few months or so. That level of frequency in repair issues is a sign that the system is getting close to the end of its life. The wear and tear on the various parts of the system is beginning to cause parts of it to fail in groups. You can keep repairing the system one part at a time if you want, but it won’t do anything but waste money. You’re going to have to replace it in the near future anyway. Better to replace it now and save some money on repair costs than to wait and replace it in the future.
Old Age
No matter how well you take care of your heat pump, there will come a point where it is just too old to properly condition your home anymore. Most heat pumps will last between 10 and 15 years on average. That might change slightly depending on individual circumstances. Once a heat pump gets past the age of 15, though, it will often start to develop problems that will negatively impact its performance. As the list of chronic heat pump issues grows longer, the system will be less and less cost-effective to use. If your heat pump is older than 15, we highly recommend talking to a professional about replacing it. You will likely save yourself a lot of money and frustration in the long run by replacing it now, rather than waiting for it to break down permanently.
Climate Masters offers heat pump services in St. Augustine, FL. If you need heat pump services, contact us today for an appointment.
