Heat pumps are devices that either cool or heat a building by moving heat from one source to another. During the warmer seasons, they take the heat out of your home and transfer it outside. During the colder months, they do the opposite.

This is an extremely effective way of heating up or cooling an indoor space. However, like other types of HVAC systems, heat pumps inevitably become worn down with age and regular use. Eventually, your old heat pump will go bad and start acting up in some way.

We previously wrote about how to prep your HVAC for the colder months and why covering your AC during winter is unnecessary. Now we’ll provide some pointers on how to tell when it’s time to replace your heat pump. Read on to learn more.

What is the average life expectancy of a heat pump?

The typical lifespan of a heat pump can vary a lot depending on how heavily the system is used and whether it’s regularly serviced and checked. Most units made in the 1970s and 1980s last 15 years or so, although proper maintenance has enabled some of them to last much longer.

That being said, lower-end heat pumps rarely make it past the 10 year mark, while higher quality models can easily last for up to 20-25 years.

Are heat pumps better than air conditioners?

Heat pumps tend to be more efficient than AC units because they can both cool and heat a space. However, they have the drawback of becoming inefficient if the temperatures drop too low for a prolonged period of time.

When should I replace my heat pump?

It depends on how old your heat pump is and whether any major components have broken down. As a general rule, if your heat pump is older than 10 years and the compressor, accumulator, outdoor coil, or reversing valve goes bad, replacing it is almost always the more cost-effective option.

Here are some common signs it’s time to get a new heat pump:

• Unusually high energy bills. Like furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps lose efficiency as they age. If you’re getting unexpectedly high utility bills and your heat pump is nearing the end of its life, it’s probably time to replace it.
• It breaks down frequently. A heat pump shouldn’t require more than a handful of repairs every few years. If your pump is breaking down more often than that, replacing it is likely the right option.
• Uneven heating. If your heat pump struggles to reach your set temperature or some parts of your home are noticeably warmer or colder, or you’re experiencing high indoor humidity during summer, it’s time to get a new unit.

Sometimes, it may make sense to replace your old pump even if none of the major parts have malfunctioned. This is because newer models provide much higher energy savings that will make them a lot more cost-efficient in the long run.

What’s the best way to replace my old heat pump in Chandler?

Making sure your heat pump is in good condition and working properly is crucial in order to ensure you and your loved ones stay healthy and comfortable. Here at Hughes Air, we’d like to help you do just that.

As the top provider of HVAC services in Chandler, we’re superbly equipped to deal with any heating or cooling-related problem you may have. Call us today and spend a fun afternoon at the Chandler Community Center while our technicians ensure your HVAC system stays in excellent shape at all times.

 

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures get lower, the question of how to go about saving energy in the winter becomes the foremost concern on most homeowners’ minds. And yet, many of us still end up using much more energy than we need to.

In previous articles, we gave you some pointers on how to prepare your furnace for winter and answered the age-old question of whether covering an AC unit is a good idea during the colder months of the year.

Now we’ll expand on the topic of winter preparation by providing you with 3 tried-and-true ways to reduce the amount of energy you spend on heating. Keep reading to learn more.

Why did I get a high energy bill?

If you recently received a surprisingly steep heating bill despite not having heated your home any more than you usually do, there’s a possibility your HVAC system is to blame.

Here’s what can cause an unusually high heat bill:

• Damaged or inefficient insulation
• Old or malfunctioning furnace
• Problem with the HVAC heat pump
• Old or improperly installed windows
• Broken thermostat (or it may have been running on high settings)
• Leaky HVAC ducts

How can I be more energy efficient in the winter?

Keeping draughts to a minimum is the single most important thing you can do to save energy and keep your place cozy. Any gaps in your windows and doors that are letting warm air out and cold air in should be covered with draught excluders (weather sealants, insulating strips, etc.).

Likewise, if you have cracks and gaps in your floors, you should treat them with a silicone-based sealant that’s designed for draught-proofing.

Here are 3 more ways to reduce energy expenditures during winter:

1. Shut the doors

Keeping interior doors closed at all times will “trap” heat inside individual areas. This way, your HVAC system will have to work less hard to keep each room cozy, and you won’t waste energy heating up hallways and other less important parts of your house.

2. Don’t set the thermostat too high

Simply turning down your thermostat by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours every day can shave 10% off of your yearly heating and cooling bills. During the colder seasons, set your thermostat to 68 degrees while you’re at home, and set it lower while you’re asleep or outside.

If these temperatures sound unpleasant to you, there’s a significant chance you’re not wearing the right clothes. Wearing a soft bathrobe and some nice slippers is a great way to keep yourself both cozy and comfortable while you’re at home.

3. Make better use of your oven

Ovens heat up all the shelves regardless of whether you’re actually cooking anything on them or not. A great way to make use of this extra energy is to prepare more than one meal at a time. This has the added benefit of saving you time.

Furthermore, after you’re done cooking, leave the oven door open and let all that sweet warmth make its way into your home.

Reliable HVAC services are key to saving energy in the winter

When it comes to effective energy saving during the winter, nothing beats having a modern, well-maintained HVAC system. After all, keeping your heating bills reasonable simply isn’t possible if your old or faulty furnace is drawing ridiculous amounts of energy just to keep your house semi-warm.

The good news is, Hughes AIr is a first-rate HVAC contractor in Chandler that can keep your HVAC system running at peak performance or replace it with a cutting-edge alternative. Call us today and enjoy a fun day at the Chandler Tennis Center while we make your HVAC-related problems disappear.