How do you know when it’s time to replace your heat pump? That’s a common question for homeowners facing costly repair bills and high energy bills. There are several keys to knowing it is time to purchase a new heat pump and have it installed. Here are the top reasons for replacing a heat pump.
The Compressor Fails
In most heat pumps, this signals the end of the road. If the compressor is under warranty — most have a 10-year warranty – then it might make sense to have it repaired. However ,most compressors don’t fail until the 12-20 year mark depending on the quality of the unit and how heavily it is used.
In a heat pump more than 12 years old, a failed compressor typically means other parts are worn as well, and likely to fail. One major repair often signals that others are approaching. It’s probably best to get a new heat pump and enjoy the utility cost and comfort benefits they offer.
Minor Repairs are Adding Up
Perhaps the heat pump quit because a capacitor wore out of the reversing valve failed. Those are less costly repairs. However, they also add up. Some heat pump owners use this rule of thumb: When the age of the heat pump and the amount of repairs, in hundreds of dollars, is 25 or higher, replace it.
For example, if your heat pump is 15 years old and you’ve got $1,000 in repairs (10-hundreds), that number is 25. It will make more sense to replace the heat pump. Your number might be lower, based on your goals; 25 should be the highest number you use. If you’ve got a single-stage heat pump and you’d prefer the comfort of a 2-stage heat pump, then maybe you’ll be willing to pull the trigger on a new heat pump at 20. Your goals, your budget and how long you plan to live in that home are all factors.
You Want a More Efficient Heat Pump
It might not be cost-effective to replace a heat pump less than 10 years old unless you are already having repair issues with it. However, the older it gets, whether it needs repairs or not, the less efficient it will be when compared with new models. For example, heat pumps 15 years old have SEER ratings – efficiency ratings – in the 8-12 range. Heat pumps available today offer SEER ratings over 20 and most are over 16. This represents energy savings up to 50% and possibly more.
If you’re heating and cooling bills are higher than you want them to be, replacing your heat pump with a new, high-efficiency model can cut your utility bills significantly. Don’t go by Energy Star ratings. A heat pump only needs to be 14.5 SEER or higher to be an Energy Star product. You can find very affordable heat pumps in the 16 SEER to 18 SEER range that will make a bigger dent on your energy bills.
If you want to learn more about high-efficiency heat pumps, locate websites that provide general information articles about them. The best ones also offer heat pump reviews of today’s most popular models, including information on their efficiency, their features and in some cases, even their cost. These reviews will help you compare heat pumps in order to find models that will meet your home comfort needs, your desire for energy efficiency and your budget.
You are Committed to Green Energy
Some homeowners choose to replace their heat pump out of concern for the environment. An 18 SEER heat pump will use 50% less energy than a 9 SEER unit, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By the way, heat pumps don’t emit greenhouse gases directly the way gas furnaces do. It’s the production of the electricity at the power plant that produces greenhouse gases.
Another green reason to replace your heat pump is that all models now being made use environmentally safer R-410A refrigerant. It may be called Smart Cool 410 (Maytag), Puron (Carrier, Bryant) or another name. It does not contain ozone-depleting chlorine and uses fewer CFC’s. It is the greenest refrigerant ever produced.
Summary
Which of these factors apply to you? Use them to help you decide when it is time to replace your heat pump. They can help you avoid wasting money on repairs as well as know when it is time to choose a more efficient heat pump as a way to control energy costs and reduce your personal environmental impact.