Heat pumps are wonderful devices. They pack both heating and cooling into a single package that runs entirely on electricity, and they can operate at high levels of energy efficiency, especially when compared to using an electric furnace.
We’d all love it if heat pumps had no expiration dates, if they just could run and run and keep our homes comfortable year after year, regardless of the season. This isn’t reality, however, as any mechanical device will wear down with time. If you take good care of your heat pump, you can get a good, long service life out of it, but eventually you’ll need to contact us to schedule heat pump replacement in Greenville, SC.
So, when will your heat pump come to the end of its lifespan?
Heat Pump Service Life Estimates
The simple answer to the question is to give you the manufacturer’s service life estimates for heat pumps: 10-15 years. This is based on years of observation—most heat pumps will not be able to last past 15 years without becoming too expensive to keep because of declining energy efficiency and rising repair needs.
It’s possible to keep pushing a heat pump past 15 years if it’s been well maintained, but we don’t recommend it because it’s a money sink. Plus, you’re at a higher risk of your heat pump failing abruptly on you when you need it the most. Once you’ve got a heat pump older than 15, it’s time to start planning and shopping for a new one.
The Importance of Maintenance
We’ve already mentioned maintenance a few times, so now we have to stress the difference it makes in how long your heat pump will last.
If you regularly miss maintenance appointments for your heat pump (and remember, it needs two appointments per year, one in spring and one in fall), it will slice years off its life. In fact, your heat pump may only get to seven or eight years of service life with neglected maintenance. That means you lose out on many years of performance and instead have to pay early for a new system.
Watch Out for Repairs and High Operating Costs
Your heat pump will start to signal you when it’s reaching the end of its service life when it begins to rack up bigger bills: both utility bills and repair bills. When well maintained, a heat pump can retain 95% of its original efficiency ratings (SEER and HSPF) until the last 1-2 years of its life.
When you see your utility costs rising because of the heat pump, it’s often telling you the heat pump is in its twilight. The same applies to repairs: when you need to repair your heat pump annually or even more often, that’s an indication the system is simply too worn down. Time to move on!
Movin’ Right Along
Getting a heat pump to last for 15 years is great: you’ve had a good return on your initial investment. Now you’re ready for a new heat pump. Our technicians are ready to make this a smooth transition for you! We’ll find the best new system and have it replace your old unit in no time.
When you need assistance with your heat pump, rely on Carolina Climate Control. The Moose Is Loose in Your Neighborhood!