How to Choose Between Heat Pump Repair or Replacement
Summer temperatures in Clearwater, FL, can be extreme, making each decision about how to handle a heat pump malfunction critically important. Sometimes, repairs can do the trick, but other issues call for nothing less than total replacement. Here are some tips to help you choose between heat pump repair and replacement:
Frequency of Malfunctions
How often does your heat pump break down? The answer to this question is significant because it has implications for how you should respond when your system malfunctions.
If you rarely need to fix your heat pump — say, once every year or two — then calling for repairs when something goes wrong is probably the best and simplest option. Conversely, if your system seems to fail every few weeks or months, persisting with repairs will soon end up costing you a great deal of money.
If breakdowns occur with such alarming frequency, it’s probably a sign that your system’s parts are in bad shape, and more repairs can only be a Band-Aid solution. Overall, you need to exercise common sense when thinking about this sign.
Efficiency and Utility Bills
Just as you shouldn’t continue attempting to repair your heat pump if it malfunctions too frequently, you also shouldn’t continue using the system if its efficiency drops too much. The reason for both things is the same: cost.
As your heat pump’s efficiency drops, it’ll consume more energy than it previously did to achieve the same results. Therefore, sticking to an inefficient system will pointlessly cost you money. At some point, it’ll become cheaper to install a heat pump replacement.
Furthermore, decreasing efficiency is often a sign that your heat pump’s components are falling apart and inching closer to total failure. That means that if you use a low-efficiency heat pump for long enough, you’ll have it fail on you and will need to replace it. It would be better to do this before everything utterly breaks down.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should immediately throw your heat pump away the moment you notice efficiency beginning to decline. It’s possible that repairing the system or giving it a tuneup can set things right again for some time.
Size of the Heat Pump
Is your heat pump the correct size for your home? If not, the issues you’re experiencing can be because of this basic mismatch. In this situation, trying to repair the system will be pointless, and replacing it with a new one will be the only viable option.
If your heat pump is short cycling, this is one of the starkest signs that it may be too large for your home. Short cycling is when your heat pump turns off before it can complete a full heating cycle. This happens because the system’s excessive power forces the thermostat to tell it to turn off.
If your heat pump is too small, it may end up operating 24/7 instead, struggling to keep your home cool every day. Since many things can cause these difficulties, you should only treat them as signs of improper sizing if your heat pump doesn’t have other discernible issues.
Age of the Heat Pump
Lastly, how old is your heat pump? A typical air-source heat pump can last for about 15 years, while a geothermal model can run reliably for 20–25 years. If your heat pump is truly too old, you might see other problems — like poor airflow and frequent breakdowns — emerge with it.
The guidelines we’ve offered here should give you helpful insight into when repairs can save your heat pump and when you should replace it. If you think the time has come for the latter, or even if you aren’t sure, our team of experienced service techs can help you. Call Advanced Cooling Systems to request our AC services in Clearwater, FL, today.
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