How to Tell It’s Time for Heat Pump Replacement

Your average heat pump should last about 15 to 20 years. So, if it’s finally time for you to replace yours, then we have good news for you:

Heat pump technology has changed a lot over the decades. You’ll be able to get a much more efficient replacement unit!

But before we get ahead of ourselves, we should find out if you actually need AC replacement in Puyallup, WA. There’s no reason to replace your heat pump too early. Likewise, replacing it too late means having to incur some unnecessary expenses.

Here are some signs that you need heat pump replacement:

More and More Repairs

Are you suddenly budgeting a lot of your money into heat pump repairs?

Despite how much air conditioning blogs talk about AC repair problems, they shouldn’t actually be a common occurrence. At most, you might be able to expect one repair need every two to three years. If the repairs start cropping up more than that, however, then your heat pump might be on the decline.

Some common, reoccurring repair issues in heat pumps typically include:

• Noises: Heat pumps are known for being quiet, so if they suddenly act up with banging, screeching, buzzing, or any other noises, then it’s a sign that there’s a problem.
• Airflow issues: The heat pump should be blowing air according to how you have it set (either for cooling or for heating). If it consistently blows the wrong temperature or if the airflow is very weak, then there might be something wrong.
• Rising energy bill: We recommend all homeowners keep an eye on their heating and cooling bills. If they suddenly start rising, one possibility is that the system is suffering from a repair issue.

We recommend holding off on the repairs until you get a technician to confirm whether your heat pump is getting too old.

Age of the Unit

As stated earlier, a heat pump is rated to last between 15 and 20 years. As you approach the 15-year mark, you should start keeping a closer watch on it.

It’s commonly thought that you shouldn’t have to replace a heat pump until it breaks down significantly. However, it might be wise to replace it before it gets to this point. It all depends on the balance between age and efficiency.

For example, since an aging unit demands more repairs, it may no longer be cost-effective to spend money on it. At that time, it’s better to get a new system entirely.

Special Case: Short Cycling

If you’ve recently installed your heat pump and find that it cycles on and off very rapidly, then you need to call the contractor who installed it and have them replace it for you. This likely means that they did not install the system properly.

If short cycling appears much later in the heat pump’s life cycle, it’s more likely a repair issue that can be fixed.

For more information on caring for your heat pump, contact Resicon LLC. We’re committed to improving the lives of our customers.