An air-source heat pump can be among the most efficient ways of heating your home during our cold Indianapolis winters. Heat pumps keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer by applying the heat-exchange properties of refrigeration to transfer heat energy between the inside and outside air. However, if your heat pump has been breaking down frequently, or doesn’t seem to be doing a good job of heating and/or cooling your home, you may have to make a tough decision on whether to move forward with repairs or bite the bullet and opt for full replacement.
If you’re trying to decide whether you should repair or replace your heat pump, consider these five questions:
- Is your warranty still valid? If your heat pump is still a relative youngster, the entire system or individual parts may still be covered under your warranty, which makes replacement the economical option if a repair isn’t cheap or practical.
- How old is your system? The federal Energy Star program advises replacement over repair if your pump is more than 10 years old. Newer, higher-efficiency units that carry the Energy Star label typically save 20 percent on utility bills.
- How often do you have to make repairs? Even if your system is less than 10 years old, if you’re having to pay for frequent repairs, it may be cost-prohibitive to continue making repairs instead of replacing your unit.
- What is the cost of an anticipated repair? If you see an upcoming repair looming on the horizon, compare that short-term cost against the anticipated long-term life left in your system. If repairs are approaching half the price of a new system, forgo the repair in favor of a replacement heat pump.
- Have you sought advice from a professional HVAC technician? Scheduling a consultation with a reputable company can be your best move to weigh all of the available options.
Our experts at Mowery Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can answer all of your heat pump questions involving energy efficiency, sizing, ductwork sealing, installation and maintenance. Armed with the answers, you’ll be able to make the best decision for your home’s needs.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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