When Is It Time for a Heat Pump Replacement?

Winter in the Twin Cities metro area can be unforgivingly cold, and a sound heating system is necessary to ensure your home stays warm and cozy all winter long.

While furnaces are the classic option for Minnesota homeowners, if you happen to have a heat pump, you know about the many benefits one can bring to the comfort of your home, so long as you prepare your heat pump for winter.

That said, like most things in your home, you will need to repair or replace your heat pump eventually. Let’s take a look at the tell-tale signs you need heat pump repair or replacement.

When Does Your Heat Pump Need to Be Repaired?

While heat pumps come with many benefits, including improved indoor air quality, they still require regular maintenance to work properly. Be on the lookout for these signs that your heat pump needs to be repaired.

●        Excessive noise like hissing, screeching, or rattling.

●        Short cycling by turning off and on over and over.

●        Odd smells like burning, exhaust, or chemical smells.

●        Higher electricity bills.

●        Reduced effectiveness for heating and cooling.

●        Unbalanced airflow throughout your home.

●        Ice on the outdoor unit.

●        The heat pump is old.

●        If the auxiliary heat option is turned on, it means your pump needs extra help.

If you notice one or more of these signs, be sure to contact a qualified professional to perform an inspection on your heat pump. However, once the repair quote comes in and you are surprised at the high cost, it might be time for a heat pump replacement.

When Does Your Heat Pump Need to Be Replaced?

There are many ways to tell when your heat pump needs to be replaced. It takes some vigilance to see, but it will be worth it when your home is properly heated in the winter. For example, keeping track of your energy bills and your heat pump’s performance will help you make a determination.

You can also count on your local HVAC professionals to thoroughly inspect your heat pump and help you decide. Continue reading for several signs that your heat pump needs to be replaced:

The Decade Rule

If your heat pump is nearing a decade old, it may be time to consider getting a new heat pump. More modern heat pumps can last up to 15 years, but many issues can arise in the first 10.

Depending on the state of internal components, a heat pump replacement may be necessary every 10 to 15 years.

Poor Performance After Filter Change

When it comes to air quality in your home, your cooling and heating systems require an air filter to catch dust, dirt, and particles from the air. In some cases, if your heat pump produces underwhelming heat for your home, you may need to change the air filter.

A dirty air filter inhibits heat pump production, making for sub-par heating. However, if you change out your filter and your heat pump still isn’t working well, replacement should start to be a consideration!

Energy Bill Spikes

When the temperature dips down to those unforgiving lows in the middle of January, a rise in your energy bill is expected. However, if your energy bills shoot up at an alarming rate, your heating elements may be to blame.

When a heat pump needs replacement, its parts won’t work as well. These inefficiencies make it harder for the heat pump to produce heat, resulting in a high energy bill.

Low Performance & Frequent Repairs

A general rule of thumb for heating elements and air conditioning: if it needs to be repaired frequently and doesn’t perform well after repair, it needs to be replaced.

Frequent repairs spell a problem beyond the heating element’s parts, as the whole system may be obsolete. When you find yourself having to make repairs to your heat pump all too often, replacement might be more cost-effective and useful!

Sporadic Heating and Cooling Ability

If you notice that the rooms in your house are either too hot or too cold, depending on the season, then it might be time for a heat pump replacement. This can usually mean that the equipment is not working properly. If this continues to happen despite repairs and frequent filter changes, then it might be time to move on to a newer heat pump.

You’re Looking for Improved Comfort

You deserve to be comfortable in your home. If you generally want a heating system that works better and more efficiently, replacing your heat pump is the answer. You can check to see if your heat pump is rated by Energy Star. If it is not, it is not working as well as a newer heat pump.

It is normal to feel that your home could be warmer in the winter without excessive energy bills, and replacing your heat pump can help with that. Plus, if you’re planning on staying in your home for a long time, investing in your future HVAC needs is a smart move. This will help remove the need for the frequent maintenance and repairs that we mentioned earlier.

Contact Quality Systems Heating & Cooling for Heat Pump Replacement

When you need to replace your heat pump this winter, call Quality Systems Heating & Cooling. We have over three generations of experience with heating and cooling systems, and we love to pass that knowledge and expertise on to our clients.

We keep our procedures hassle-free and our prices fair to give each customer the best service possible. Get a free quote online or give us a call at 952-226-2665 today!