Serving Milford, MA & the 
No matter what type of HVAC system you have, there will always be a point where it either gives out or no longer works well enough. Knowing when to replace an HVAC unit isn’t always easy, but the last thing you want to do is wait too long. This is especially the case if you have a heat pump since you rely on it for both heating and cooling. Let’s explore the various ways you can potentially tell when a heat pump may soon give out. That way, you can plan ahead and replace it before it completely fails.
Age
The typical life expectancy for a heat pump is between 12 and 15 years. Not that long ago, many heat pumps didn’t make it past 10 years. Nonetheless, as technology has improved it’s resulted in newer heat pumps lasting longer. Some heat pumps nowadays can last well over 15 years. However, any heat pump that’s 15 years old or more is almost guaranteed to not work as well as it once did and not be nearly as energy efficient as a new unit.
If you have a heat pump that’s this age, you also have to consider the risk that it could give out any day. The worst-case scenario is that your old heat pump could die in the middle of summer or the middle of winter, leaving you without air conditioning or heating. This risk is one of the main reasons why we recommend replacing your old unit as soon as you can. If your heat pump suddenly fails and you need to replace it in an emergency, you may have to pay more for the installation as well.
You also may not have much choice in terms of the brand and model if you need to have a new unit installed immediately. By being proactive and planning for the replacement ahead of time, you can then do a bit more research and get the model within your budget that will work best for your home.
Ineffective Cooling and Heating
Another good sign that it may be time to replace your old heat pump is if it often struggles to keep your home warm or cool enough. A heat pump will almost always start performing poorly at some point if you don’t keep it properly maintained. Depending on why your heat pump isn’t cooling and heating effectively, having it serviced or repaired may fix the issue.
If you have an older heat pump, poor performance can also just be a sign that the unit is wearing out and isn’t going to last much longer. This is especially common when the compressor in an older heat pump is beginning to fail. Heat pump compressors are factory-sealed, meaning there’s no way for a technician to repair a compressor that’s starting to have issues. If the compressor does give out, your only real option will be to replace the entire heat pump. It’s possible to install a replacement compressor, but you could end up paying nearly as much for the new compressor as you would to just install a new heat pump. This is especially true considering you can earn up to $2,000 in federal income tax credits when you install an ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump.
In terms of performance, one thing to watch for is how long your heat pump runs during a typical cooling cycle. During the summer, when a heat pump is cooling, it normally shouldn’t stay on for much more than 20 minutes at a time except during periods of extreme heat. If your heat pump is frequently running for 30-45 minutes or more at a time, it tells you that it’s not cooling effectively for some reason.
It’s somewhat common for a heat pump to run continuously at times in the winter, especially when the temperature outside is well below freezing. Long heating cycles aren’t necessarily a sign of poor performance. A sign that your heat pump isn’t performing well is if your thermostat frequently shows it’s in auxiliary heating mode and stays in this mode for a fairly long time.
Almost all cold-climate heat pump systems have electric heat strips inside the housing that can supply supplementary heating as needed. These heat strips will usually only come on when it’s so cold that the heat pump can’t heat effectively or when the system needs to significantly raise the temperature inside the house. If the heat strips run frequently, it means that the heat pump isn’t supplying sufficient heating on its own to keep the temperature in the house from decreasing.
High Electricity Bills
In most homes, heating and cooling are by far the biggest sources of energy consumption. That means steadily rising electricity bills are almost always a result of the HVAC system no longer working as effectively or as energy-efficiently. A sudden increase in your electricity bill often indicates the heat pump needs some type of repair or needs servicing. On the other hand, continually increasing electricity bills from month to month and year to year more often mean the system is starting to give out and no longer able to function as well as it should.
Frequent Repairs
Most heat pumps will require at least a few repairs over their lifetime. This is because a heat pump runs throughout the year, heating and cooling, which will usually result in certain components eventually wearing out. Nonetheless, it’s quite rare that you’d need to have a heat pump repaired more than once every couple of years, especially if you have it inspected and professionally maintained every year.
If you find yourself having to get your heat pump repaired often due to it breaking down or not working effectively, it’s another good sign that the unit is starting to give out. If your heat pump is starting to fail and probably won’t last much longer anyway, paying for a replacement makes more sense than paying for more and more repairs.
Heat Pump Is Excessively Loud
The compressor and condenser fan in some heat pumps, especially older units, can be fairly loud. If the indoor part of the system is excessively loud, it just means there’s an issue with the blower. In this case, you can usually overcome the problem by having the blower repaired or replaced. If the outside unit is starting to make more and more noise, it can be another sign that the compressor is starting to fail. A loud buzzing or humming sound coming from a heat pump, when it’s running, is also often a sign of a failing compressor or a potentially serious electrical issue. As such, you should always have a professional inspect your heat pump immediately whenever it starts making odd sounds or is overly loud.
For the best HVAC and electrical services in the Milford, MA area, look no further than Tingley Home Services. We work on residential and commercial equipment and can help if you need a heat pump replacement or any other help with your heating and air conditioning. To get help determining if you should replace your heat pump or mini-split, or to learn more about the new heat pumps we offer, contact Tingley Home Services today.
