Heat pumps are a viable appliance in our region for both cooling and heating homes. Their average lifespan is around 15 years, and heat pumps may last longer depending on the initial installation process and the maintenance they receive.
These systems work double-duty throughout the year by moving heat from one place to another using the system’s refrigerant. In the summer, they take heat out of your home, and in the winter, they bring it inside.
Issues Affecting Installation and Lifespan
A heat pump that was accurately sized for the home will likely last longer than one that’s too large or small. When the system first starts to run, the electrical load is highest as is the wear on the parts. All the frequent starts reduce the system’s lifetime. If it’s too small, it’ll have to run longer than the manufacturer intended, harming it.
Placing the outdoor condenser in a sunny spot, or one where vegetation and yard debris crowd the condenser, will reduce the lifetime of the system. When the airflow through it is compromised, it makes the compressor work harder and longer to compress the refrigerant. Keeping the condensing coil and the area around it clean improve its performance.
Maintenance Issues
Dirty air filters do a lot of damage to heat pumps and will shorten their lifetime. The dirt reduces the volume of air, so it takes longer for the pump to heat or cool your home. Eventually the dust can cover the evaporator coil inside the heat pump that exchanges the heat during summer and winter. As it does, its efficiency goes down, which adds wear to the system because the heat exchange takes longer.
A heat pump that doesn’t receive professional maintenance also suffers. The refrigerant level may fall, electrical connections and wiring erode over time, and motors that don’t receive necessary lubrication all contribute to premature system failure.
To learn more about increasing the lifespan of heat pumps, contact Rheem Pro Partner. We provide HVAC services for homeowners in Colorado Springs, the Denver metro area, northern Colorado and Cheyenne and Casper, WY.
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