Heat pumps have significant advantages over traditional HVAC systems as they can both cool and heat and provide much more energy-efficient heating. The only downside is that they experience more frequent issues and sometimes don’t last as long. Replacing a heat pump system requires a substantial investment and is something that many people try to put off to their own detriment. Many problems you can encounter with a heat pump can be fixed, but whether it’s worth repairing is a different question.
That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you consider some factors when trying to decide between heat pump services: repair or replacement?
Age of the Heat Pump
The first thing you should always consider when needing to repair your heat pump is its age and how much longer you can reasonably expect it to continue working. Unfortunately, this isn’t always that easy to determine. The average lifespan of a heat pump is between 10 and 20 years. However, some units still work after 25 or even 30 years, whereas others fail in as little as five to eight years or sometimes even less.
How long a heat pump will last depends on factors like the quality of the unit, the quality of the installation, and where you live. Heat pumps in Wisconsin usually last longer than they do in Florida or Arizona. Even though they may do more work in winter, they don’t experience the massive strain and stress when running in extreme heat and high humidity.
Another key factor in how long a heat pump may last is whether it’s properly maintained throughout its life. You’ll be far more likely to get 15+ years of life out of your heat pump if you replace the air filter and have it professionally serviced twice a year. If you neglect to do these things, you can be sure that it will fail after 10 to 12 years.
Increasing technology is another consideration. Many older heat pumps struggle to perform in colder conditions. Although all standard heat pump systems in colder climates have electric heat strips to provide auxiliary heating as needed, older systems typically need to rely much more on this auxiliary heating in cold weather. If your heat pump can’t keep up and you frequently rely on the heat strips, your heating bills will be much higher.
Estimated Repair Cost
Another crucial factor when deciding whether to repair your heat pump is the cost of the repair. The rule of 5,000 is one of the most common methods used by HVAC technicians when advising homeowners about any necessary repairs. The rule states that if the age of the heat pump is multiplied by the estimated cost of the repair, and is equal to or higher than 5,000, installing a replacement makes more sense financially than going through with the repair.
Of course, this rule doesn’t cover every potential situation. Let’s say you have an expensive, high-end heat pump that’s 10 years old and will cost around $500 to repair. If you’ve kept up with the necessary maintenance and your heat pump is otherwise still in good condition and works efficiently, having it repaired should allow you to put off the much higher cost of installing a replacement for at least a few years. In that case, it makes more sense to pay for the repair so that you can start budgeting and saving for a higher-quality replacement whenever that time comes.
Overall Condition and Frequency of Repairs
Unless your heat pump has any major issues that lead to the compressor failing in less than 10 years, you can almost always expect to pay for at least one or two repairs or replacement components over the course of its life. If you don’t keep up with the necessary maintenance and have issues fixed promptly, you can usually expect more problems to arise.
Although it’s not always the case, frequent breakdowns and/or repair needs typically indicate that a heat pump system isn’t going to last much longer, or it will need another repair soon. As such, the better decision in this type of situation is to put the money that you would’ve spent on the repair toward the cost of installing a new unit. If you can’t currently afford to replace your heat pump, investigate financing it. That will allow you to spread the costs of a new heat pump over a longer period, depending on credit approval.
In terms of overall condition, you also need to consider how well your heat pump normally works and how well it will likely work after you have it repaired. Decreased performance and longer heating/cooling cycles are common with an aging heat pump and usually result from the compressor no longer being able to work as effectively. If the heat pump suddenly breaks down due to a failed component, you can get it working again by having that component replaced. While this can help the unit work a little longer, it usually won’t result in a significant improvement in performance or energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
The continual advancements in heat pump technology, along with the introduction of new refrigerants, have led to significant improvements in energy efficiency. In fact, the technology has advanced so rapidly that many heat pumps produced 15 or even 10 years ago are now considered outdated because they work less efficiently. The US Department of Energy also increased the federal minimum energy efficiency standards for heat pumps in 2023. The result is that the most basic unit you can install now should be at least 7-10% more efficient than the most basic unit installed before this change was made.
If you have a heat pump that only met the minimum efficiency standard at the time it was installed, you can see a significant reduction in both your heating and cooling bills by upgrading to a new unit. Even a basic unit could lower your energy bills by $100 to $200 a year. If you replace your old heat pump with a higher-efficiency unit, the amount you can save on energy costs can more than offset what you would’ve paid to repair it in as little as a year or two. In some cases, you can even end up saving close to $5,000 or more over 10 years, which can almost result in your new heat pump basically paying for itself eventually.
When heat pump problems arise, our experts at Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC have the skills and experience to fix them. Our AC and heating technicians can repair and service any brand and model, giving you honest, unbiased advice on whether replacement is the better option. If your heat pump needs a replacement, we install units from trusted brands like Rheem, Amana, and Mitsubishi. We will help you find the best option within your price range to meet your budget needs.
If you’re having any issues with your heat pump failing to keep your house warm or cool, give us a call to schedule a diagnostic assessment and consultation.
