Are you thinking about replacing your home’s heat pump?
The heat pump is an essential component of a heating, ventilation and cooling system (HVAC) system. It’s able to both cool and warm the interior of your home by “pumping” heat out of the air.
During the winter, the heat pump will extract heat from the outside air. During the summer, the heat pump will extract heat from the indoor air inside your home.
No HVAC component is immune to failure, and heat pumps are no exception.
So, how do you know when it’s time to replace your home’s heat pump?
When Your Heat Pump Has Lost Its Efficiency
If your home’s heat pump consumes a substantial amount of power, you may want to replace it.
Over time, heat pumps can become less energy efficient. They’ll require more power to achieve the temperature to which the thermostat is set, resulting in costly utility bills.
When Your Heat Pump Is Getting Old
You should consider the age of your home’s heat pump when deciding whether to replace it.
The average lifespan of a residential heat pump is about 10 to 15 years. Some heat pumps last for up to 20 years, but you can expect a noticeable decrease in performance, as well as efficiency, once your home’s heat pump has reached the 10-year mark.
When Your Heat Pump Needs Repair
If your home’s heat pump is broken or otherwise not functioning properly, you should contact a professional HVAC company for a repair quote.
You may discover that it costs more to repair your heat pump than it does to replace it. When the cost of repair exceeds that of replacement, you should opt for the latter.
When Your Heat Pump Is Leaking
Heat pumps can leak refrigerant just like air conditioners.
Refrigerant, of course, is responsible for absorbing heat so that it can be transferred to or from your home. If your heat pump is leaking refrigerant, it will perform poorly (if at all).
Fixing a leaking heat pump isn’t as easy as simply recharging it with more refrigerant; you must find and seal the breach that’s responsible for the leak.
In some cases, it’s better to replace a leaking heat pump rather than repair it.
When Your Heat Pump Is Short Cycling
If your home’s heat pump suffers from short cycling, you may want to replace it.
Short cycling refers to the constant on-and-off cycling of a heat pump, furnace or air conditioner. Each time the unit turns on, it stresses the heat pump’s components and, therefore, shortens its lifespan.
If you are experiencing a problem with your air conditioning or heating call us at 512-336-1431 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be glad to come out and take a look at the issue.
1431-183 A/C & Heating proudly serves Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Liberty Hill, and North Austin.
