It’s that time of the year again! Time to schedule your heat pump maintenance. And if you have been experiencing any of the five problems listed below, your maintenance appointment may include some heat pump repairs.
Whether you suspect that you need AC repair in Eden Prairie, MN or not, it is a good idea to schedule maintenance for your heat pump either way. Sometimes repair needs can be silent and hidden. You may not even realize something is wrong until our team takes a look. You can keep reading to learn more about the indications that your heat pump may need repairs before heading into the fall and winter seasons.
System Age
Once your heat pump reaches about 10 years old, it is time to begin considering the possibility of investing in a new system. 10-15 years is the average lifespan for a residential heat pump. If you have taken excellent care of your unit, it could easily last for 15 years; but if you have not been consistent with scheduling professional maintenance each year, you may need to replace the unit sooner rather than later.
Repair Costs
Experts say that you will begin to see an uptick in the number of repairs that your heat pump needs in the last two years of its life. If you’ve had to make frequent heat pump repairs or faced one major repair that cost you a thousand dollars or more, that’s a sign that it may be time to invest in a new heat pump. Pouring money into repairs for an older unit may not make sense compared to putting that money in a brand-new heat pump that will last you for 10-15 years or longer.
Stuck Reversing Valve
There are also signs that you can pay attention to as far as heat pump operation. If you have attempted to switch your heat pump over to heating mode without any results, there’s a chance that your heat pump is stuck in cooling mode. Your heat pump has a reversing valve that allows it to move between heating and cooling your home.
This reversing valve allows the refrigerant to move in reverse so that it can also provide heating in addition to cooling. But if the reversing valve gets stuck, your heat pump will only operate in one mode or the other. Sometimes this is an easy fix, but other times it is an early indicator that your heat pump is reaching the end of its lifespan.
Changes in Operation
You also want to be aware of any changes in how your heat pump operates. It’s a common misconception that your heat pump will lose efficiency toward the end of its lifespan. However, this does not have to be true. With proper care, your heat pump should operate with consistent effectiveness across its entire lifespan without losing power or efficiency.
Noticing that you have to change your thermostat settings to achieve the same level of cooling for your home is a red flag. It’s also a problem if you notice your energy bills increasing without explanation. When this happens, there’s a good chance that your heat pump is to blame since it is one of the largest appliances in your home.
Contact Comfort Matters Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. With you through THE HIGHS & LOWS!