How often does heat pump need to be replaced?

Recently the unit stopped defrosting. I had a service technician come to inspect the unit. He said the electronic board that controls the defrost cycle is not working and must be replaced. The estimated cost is about $350. However, due to the advanced age of my heat pump, the service technician recommended replacing my entire unit — inside and outside.

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The cost of replacement is about $5,000.

Generally speaking, I love my current heat pump. It is very reliable and very economical. I have extremely low monthly utility bills and the unit does a good job in winter and summer. Which leads me to my two questions. Do heat pumps really need to be replaced at such an early age? Everyone I talk to seems to say heat pumps generally only last about 10 to 12 years. Anything more and you are on borrowed time. Everyone tells me that the service technician is right -- replace the unit, don't fix the part.

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I don't get why a heat pump should need complete replacement after only 10 to 12 years -- in my case 15 years. It seems like you should be able to repair and fix the unit many times before you will ever match the cost of replacing it. I know many older furnaces would last for 30 plus years.

Our society seems to be a very "throw away" society these days.

Wouldn't it be wise to invest money into repairing a heat pump, before replacing it?

Do you feel that both units should be replaced as a "matching set"?

Or can you just replace one unit at a time? My outside unit is the one with the problem. The inside unit is fine. Although it is even older than the outside unit -- probably 20 plus years old. But once again, everyone seems to tell me the same thing -- replace both units. I don't seem to understand the logic behind replacing both units.

I'm going to echo the advice of your service provider and the other wise folks with whom you've consulted. I must tell you, however, that your 15-year-old compressor/condenser has done its job and doesn't owe anybody anything. It has served you well but it's time for it to go for a couple of reasons. Sure, it seemed to you to work well and operate at a level that did not weaken your bank account, but all things are relative.

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Let's look at it in its 15-year time frame and compare it to what happens today. Heat pumps have a reputation for lasting from 8 to 12 years -- in my experience -- on average. Some last longer -- some less. That's because they do double duty; both heating and cooling. Those furnaces that you eye enviously lasting 30 years plus are only working less than half the time the heat pump does -- no A/C -- so proportionately the heat pump's right up with them. When I see a heat pump working well at the age of yours I always say the good news is, it's still working and bad news is, it's still working. The older a heat pump is in today's world the more electricity it will use to do its job.

There is a formula that is used in the industry to calculate the energy in against the heating and cooling that comes out of it. It called the SEER rating and means seasonal energy efficiency rating. You see them written on the sides of the newer units and they are numbers that hover around 10 and up a bit. The SEER number indicates the amount of electricity that goes into the unit against the amount of heating or cooling capacity that comes out- - the higher the number the more efficient it is.

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Your 15-year-old unit is probably 10 SEER or less. Since January 23, 2006, every unit sold in the U.S. has to be at least SEER 13. That's pretty darn efficient and to do that the heat pump engineers had to go to a different coolant and had to redesign the units – both inside and out. That's why both have to be replaced.

Pouring money into your old unit is not economical in the short or the long run in view of the requirements. You could nurse your old soldier along with $350 here and $200 there for maybe a couple of years or so and then the technician will come out, look at the unit and deliver the bad news -- it's shot and that's all there is to it. Now all the money you put into the older unit is money gone and you're right at square one for the new unit.

So go ahead and get on board with the replacement system and keep a sharp eye on your heating and cooling bills.

I'll bet you'll be pleased.

Keep the mail coming. If you've got a question, tip, or comment let me know. Write "On The Level," c/o The Capital, P.O. Box 3407, Annapolis, MD 21403 or email me at [email protected].

A heat pump is a device that can either heat or cool a home by moving heat from one source to another.  In warm weather, it diverts the heat from your home to outdoors.  In cold weather, the opposite occurs.  It is an extremely efficient way to heat or cool a building.

The life expectancy of a heat pump depends on several factors, such as the type of heat pump, your location, and how well the heat pump is maintained.  Heat pumps normally last an average of 15 years, though some can wear out after a decade.  Some of the newer units being manufactured today can last a bit longer.

The factor most important in determining the lifespan of your heat pump is maintenance. There are some steps you can take to ensure that your heat pump is well-maintained, which will help extend its life.  For example:

• Ice can build up on the outdoor coil, causing frost, and can impede the pump’s ability to provide heat.  Check to make sure that its defrost cycle is working properly.
• Replace or clean air filters regularly, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Clean the fins on the outside condenser unit.
• Keep coils clean.
• Do not allow plant growth within 18 inches of the outdoor unit.

There are several different types of heat pumps. The most common is the air-source heat pump, which transfers air between the outside environment and indoors.  A less common type is the water-source pump, which taps into warmer temperatures underground.  A dual-source pump combines features of both.  A dual-source pump usually lasts the longest out of all three kinds.

Heat pumps are more efficient than air conditioners because they both heat and cool your home; there is no need to install a heating and a cooling system.  One issue, however, is their ability to efficiently heat a home when the temperature drops below freezing for any length of timer.  In colder climates, homeowners may need a backup source of heat.  Heat pumps work best when the outside temperature is around 50 degrees.

Here at Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer expert advice on heating, air conditioning and ventilation services.  We encourage you to contact us for expert advice.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

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