The good news is that heat pumps last a long time – advances in technology means that modern heat pumps should last between 20 years. With regular maintenance and annual servicing, and as long as it doesn’t get damaged, there’s no reason why it won’t need replacing sooner.
But if you already have an ageing air source heat pump, how do you know when it’s time to replace it? In this blog we’ll take a closer look at when it’s better to do heat pump repairs and when it’s time to replace it, so you can maximise its efficiency and make the best use of your money.
When to repair your heat pump
The guarantee is still valid
If your heat pump is still in its warranty, it’s definitely time to repair as the manufacturer is responsible for replacement parts. The length of warranties varies according to the manufacturer and also to the installer. For example, as we are a Mitsubishi Electric partner company, we can offer a longer warranty on Mitsubishi products because our installers have all been trained to a very high standard by the supplier. This means you’ll get a 7 year warranty on Mitsubishi air source heat pumps installed by us, instead of the 5 years (or less) offered through non-partner installers.
If it’s a small issue
It may be just a minor problem, or wear and tear, or a broken small part that can be easily replaced. In which case, it’s obvious that you repair rather than replace.
Your heat pump is within its predicted life span
Check the original documentation to find out what the predicted life expectancy of your heat pump is. If it’s still within that timeline, then it will probably be worthwhile repairing rather than replacing.
It hasn’t been repaired more than twice in the last three years
If your heat pump has been working well up to now and hasn’t had to have more than a couple of repairs recently, then getting it repaired should still be the best, and cheapest, option.
Performance has been unaffected
If your heat pump has been working well until the point it needed repairing and there are no unexplained changes to your energy bills, there’s no reason to replace it.
This is not your forever home
If you’re planning on moving house in the next few years, it makes more financial sense to repair rather than replace your heat pump.
When to replace your heat pump
The guarantee has expired
If your heat pump is out of guarantee, it will be worth investigating whether it would be better to replace rather than repair.
Your heat pump is over its predicted lifespan
If your pump has outlived the predicted lifespan and is now having problems, it is probably coming to the end of its useful life. In which case, you need to think about replacing it rather than risk spending money on a series of repairs that are never quite enough.
Your energy bills have risen without explanation
If your radiators are taking longer to heat up and your electricity bills are rising but there’s no obvious reason why, there may be a serious problem with your heat pump.
Failure of a major component
The main component of a heat pump is the compressor – if the compressor fails, you may be better off replacing the unit completely as the replacement part could be as much as 80% of the cost of a new heat pump.
Your heat pump has had a number of repairs
If you’ve had your heat pump repaired three times or more in the past three years, there are clearly problems with it and the total cost of continual repairs could end up a lot more expensive in the long run than replacing it now.
Signs that something is wrong with your heat pump
There are a number of things that are good indications there’s something wrong with your air source heat pump. If anything occurs with your pump, check out the Troubleshooting section of your manual. If that doesn’t work, contact a heat pump specialist to arrange for an engineer to check it out.
The heat pump doesn’t turn on
This could be indicative of issues with your thermostat, airflow, capacitor, the power, or the compressor.
The temperature is too low
If your radiators or underfloor heating is at a lower temperature than normal, it could be indicative of issues with the thermostat, a blockage in the airflow, a problem with the valve, or a refrigerant leak.
The fan isn’t working
This could be caused by debris stuck in the fan, a problem with the fan’s motor, or issues with the thermostat, capacitor or power supply.
It’s emitting strange noises
The normal sound the outdoor unit makes is a hum, so if it’s screeching, grinding, rattling, hissing, clicking or squeaking, there’s something wrong.
It’s emitting strange smells
If your outdoor unit smells musty, this is probably caused by mould in the system. If there’s an electrical problem, you may be aware of the smell of burning plastic.
How to keep your heat pump working efficiently for as long as possible
Maintaining your heat pump is the best way to prolong its working life and keep your heating system working efficiently.
Arranging annual heat pump services is one of the best things you can do to protect your heat pump in order to maximise efficiency. Your service engineer will check all the parts to check for signs of wear and tear or damage, as well as clean and lubricate any moving parts, replace the filters and check refrigerant levels to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible. They will make recommendations for any repairs or upgrades that might need to be made. Annual services ensure heat pumps work at maximum energy efficiency as well as keeping you warm throughout the cold weather.
Keeping your pump clear of dirt and debris – such as an accumulation of leaves in the autumn – will also help you keep your heat pump running smoothly and efficiently for longer.
If anything does go wrong, get your heat pump repaired as soon as possible. As with most problems, the longer you leave it, the worse it’ll get, and you risk further damage.
Heat pump maintenance and repairs Hertfordshire
At Lacey Heating, we specialise in air source heat pump repairs to keep your heating systems working effectively and keep your building as energy efficient as possible. If you need a repair, would like to book a heat pump service and maintenance visit, call us on 01992 526 117.
About Lacey Heating
We specialise in the installation, service, maintenance and repairs of air source heat pump systems. We are an MCS certified installer and our qualified installers have extensive experience installing and repairing heat pumps. We also service and repair gas boilers and oil boilers.
If you’re looking to replace your current system – oil boiler or gas heating – with a more energy efficient air source heat pump, we can help you make cost savings through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which awards grants of up to £7,500.
Unfortunately BUS doesn’t cover replacing existing heat pumps, making it even more important that you implement a regular maintenance schedule as soon as you install your new system.
Contact us for further information, or to book your heat pump service, arrange your new heat pump installation, or get advice about the energy efficiency benefits of air source heat pump systems on 01992 526 117, or fill in our online form and we’ll get back to you.
