Main Line HVAC: How Many Years Does A Heat Pump Last?

Main Line HVAC: How Many Years Does A Heat Pump Last?On average, heat pumps last about 15 years. Less if you don’t take care of them, and up to 20 (or more!) with the proper maintenance. However, its performance may suffer as it gets older, just like any appliance. So, you want to find the sweet spot for when to replace it.

In this article, we’ll go through everything you need to consider when it’s time to get a new heat pump. 

If you’re considering your first one after using conventional HVAC, then you’ll get an idea of how long your great new system is. If you’ve had one for a while, then we’ll help you weigh whether to invest in a new one now or wait another year or two. 

Read More: Will A Heat Pump Work In Normal Havertown, PA Temperatures?

Specifically, we’ll cover: 

  1. Four Reasons You May Need To Replace Your Heat Pump 

  2. Why A New Heat Pump Is Worth The Investment 

  3. How To Make Your New Heat Pump Last For More Than 15 Years

  4. Heat Pump Replacement In Wynnewood, PA

If you have any questions or want to learn more about improving the heating and cooling in your Main Line home, call or email us here at John Cipollone, Inc. Based in Havertown, we’ve been keeping homes from Haverford to Wynnewood comfortable for more than 60 years.

Four Reasons You May Need To Replace Your Heat Pump 

  1. More Repairs Calls Than Before

  2. Higher Electric Bills Than Previous Years

  3. Your Home Isn’t As Comfortable As It Used to Be

  4. The System Is 15 Years Old Or Older

More Repairs Calls Than Before

Most appliances don’t just break down for good out of nowhere. Instead, you’ll deal with plenty of more minor repairs along the way. If you notice you’re calling your HVAC contractor more often than before, it may be time to start thinking about a new system. 

Now, this doesn’t always apply to heat pumps under a decade old. Most are still under warranty at that point. That’s especially so for mini splits — some are warrantied for 12 years. 

So, in those cases, some or all of your parts and labor costs are covered. 

After that, however, regular repairs could mean your system is on the way out. 

Higher Electric Bills Than Previous Years

A heat pump uses a fraction of the energy that electric heaters or gas, oil, or propane furnaces require. So, if you notice your electric bill constantly going up, it’s a sign something’s wrong with your HVAC system. 

This all is assuming, of course, that you’re not using more power elsewhere in the house. 

What’s happening is that your system is now using more power than before to do the same job. In other words, it’s struggling to keep up. 

Even if you haven’t had a breakdown or haven’t noticed any problems, just the fact that the heat pump is losing efficiency is often a sign that it’s on its way out. 

Read More: Save Money And Energy When You Zone Your Air Conditioning

Your Home Isn’t As Comfortable As It Used to Be

Along with using more power, another subtle sign is noticing rooms in your home not as warm or cool as they usually are. Once again, your system may not be blatantly breaking down. But, it may not be doing the job as well as it used to. 

The good news is that sometimes there are some quick fixes. We’ll get into those a little later. 

But, if you have a pro look over the system and they don’t find any problems, then overall, you’re looking at a system that just can’t keep up anymore. 

Or your HVAC tech identifies an extensive repair. Even though the system is still working, a component is clearly broken or ready to break. Depending on the age of your system, along with the other factors, you may decide to get a new one. 

A New Heat Pump Could Help The Value Of Your Home And Improve ComfortThe System Is 15 Years Old Or Older

Now, none of these problems on their own necessarily mean you need a new heat pump. After all, maybe a few repairs are worth the money if your HVAC techs think the system’s still got plenty of life in it. Or, some basic maintenance or minor work fixes the problem.

The last component that can change all that is the age of your system. 

We mentioned that heat pumps could last 15 to 20 years. So, if yours is a decade-and-a-half old or pretty close, you need to look at those other issues in a different light. 

First, the warranty is expired. Second, as you push past the average life expectancy, it’s less likely your system will ever run as well as it used to — especially if it’s already giving you problems. 

Why A New Heat Pump Is Worth The Investment 

You don’t have to wait for your hold heat pump to break down completely before investing in a new one! Sure, you want your money’s worth from an expensive appliance like this. But, there’s more to consider.

First is the peace of mind knowing you have a well-working system that won’t break down in the dead of summer or the bitter coldest winter days. 

And, today’s models are much more energy-efficient than those that came out a decade ago or longer. That means that, even if your old system was still working at peak performance, a replacement would lower your energy bills right away. 

How To Make Your New Heat Pump Last For More Than 15 Years

So, how do you get your heat pump to the two-decade mark? Here are the two best ways:

  1. Regular Maintenance 

  2. Annual Cleaning

Regular Maintenance 

Annual tune-ups are vital for heat pumps — and any heating and cooling system, really. It’s like getting an oil change for your car. Only, instead of making sure the engine keeps running, you’re ensuring that your HVAC system is running in great shape. 

You also need to show regular maintenance to keep your warranty valid. If your contractor calls in a claim and can’t show documentation that you’ve had the system serviced regularly, they may deny the claim. 

Read More: Winter Home Prep Tips For Main Line Homes

Annual Cleaning

It’s also a good idea to get your heat pump cleaned once a year — especially if you have a mini split system. You’d be surprised how much dirt, bacterial growth, and other junk can build up inside them. 

This problem affects performance and efficiency. With a mini split, it can also affect your indoor air quality. If you’ve noticed weird smells coming from your air handler, a cleaning may be overdue. 

Read More: Improving Indoor Air Quality For Asthma Sufferers

Heat Pump Replacement In Wynnewood, PA

John Cipollone, Inc is the trusted name for heat pump replacements in Wynnewood, PA and across the Main Line. We’ve been in business since the 1950s and have earned an outstanding reputation for excellent work that’s done right the first time. Click below or call us at (610) 446-7877.

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