By Team JSR

We know how important is it to stay warm in kiwi winter. Especially chilly mornings when you’re out and about, you would wear a warm coat, beanie, a scarf to keep cold wind away from the body. And after a long day, you’ll use a heat pump to keep yourself warm.

A heat pump can really help to keep your house comfortable when the temperature drops. So, when should you think about replacing it? Maybe you’ve noticed that it doesn’t seem to heat your home as well as before. As all appliances eventually break, and heat pumps are no exception. Still, you can get a long lifespan out of one, given that it’s regularly serviced and in the right climate. The lifespan of your unit will depend on where you live and how often it’s used. Remember that heat pumps that are regularly services will last longer compared to the one that is not.

Old heat pumps, even if they are well maintained, are prone to technical problems. Look out for these 7 signs if you’ve been wondering when it might be the best time to replace your heat pump. If you recognise any of these signs in your heat pump, discuss with your local heat pump professional, as an inspection and advice is highly recommended before buying a new one.

1. Heat pump has inconsistent hot or cold air flow even after temperature settings

One of the most common problems with an older heating/cooling unit is that it ceases to produce the required degree of heat or cold. The air coming out is still regular, just as before, but at lower levels. From regular use, for the most part, you may experience cool air on a warmer setting. If you experience no change in temperature, that would be a sign for you to inspect the cooling issue. A common issue could be low refrigerant levels. However, if the unit is set to produce hot air when is producing cold air, your compressor could be damaged.

Rapid change in temperature is a sign that something is wrong with your heat pump. A proper functioning heat pump will provide consistent air temperature at the desired temperature setting. Do certain areas of your room are being warmed up? And other areas are not getting heat at all? It might be the time to replace your heat pump. If inconsistent cooling persists in your heat pump, check the filters, valves, condensation drain line, and coils. If worse comes to worst and the issue doesn’t resolve itself, then a new heat pump may be on the cards.

2. Heatpump Weak or barely flowing air 

When your heat pump is on and working, there should be little or no warm air coming out of the vents. If you start to notice that there is significantly less warm air than what is normal, it could be a sign of malfunctions in the compressor. If your home is still too cold, there might be a problem with your air conditioning. The system is meant to work at a certain level of temperature, and it’s rare that this will happen. Check filters first, but you might need to get a new one.

3. Spouting unwanted noises and smell

If you listen carefully to your heat pump, you’ll hear nothing. Indicating your heat pump is running almost silently and efficiently! If that pattern changes throughout its lifespan, and you start hearing weird noises, it might be the time to act. Sometimes small noises could indicate that your heat pump might just need repairs. Or possibly the fan isn’t functioning, parts may have become loose, or the machine system has been clogged with grime and dust. However, if you’re hearing unusual noises like buzzing, hissing, popping, shrieking or vibrating noises, this could be referring to a serious problem that you might need to replace your heat pump!

The same scenario is with unwanted odours! If your heat pump is spewing extremely unpleasant smells, it’s indicating something with wrong with your unit and should be addressed immediately. Foul odours from heat pump occur when either the heat pump’s insulation has become damaged or the mould has grown in the ductwork. Once dirt or mould has accumulated in the heat pump, the heat pump will circulate the contaminated air in your home, which will cause health concerns for your family. So never ignore the bad smells. Strange smells usually mean that you need to change your filters. But if that doesn’t work, it might be time to replace the unit.

4. Heat Pump Leaks or Produces redundant moisture

Once in a while, for some types of heat pumps, there may be small amounts of water dripping/condensation on the unit outdoors. This is completely normal and just happens from time to time. Mostly, your heat pump should stay dry regardless of whether it’s not being used. But if you notice moisture inside, sudden condensation or a leak, it may be time to replace your heat pump. For safety reasons, get a heat pump technician to inspect your heat pump right away, as electrical systems and water don’t go well together.

As a matter of fact, some heat pump units may have refrigerant unit spring. If this leaks, you want the technician to handle it, as the last thing you want to do is ignore a refrigerant leak since it can pose several health risks if not dealt with. Your heat pump technician will locate the source of the leak and will let you know cost-friendly action you should take next.

5. Your Heat pump is short cycling (random turn ons and offs)

Your heat pump has the tendency to maintain the temperature throughout your home; which is normally done through cycling the on and off button. However, has your heat pump developed a habit to completely switch off aimlessly? Or is it struggling to switch itself on? If this notice these scenarios often, your unit is faulty. Short cycling adds more pressure on the heat pump, and can result in a total breakdown if not handled in time. If you’re struggling with this issue, call a technician immediately. If by any luck, it could just be a blown fuse. Or it could also mean it’s time for a new heat pump.

6. A huge increase in your monthly power bills

Frequently, the biggest give away about any heating pump lies in the energy bill for your property. Has the bill had a sudden increase and not sure what the cause of the source might be? Conduct an ‘energy audit’ and powerful way to get the facts on what has been causing your energy bills to rise. Don’t make critical decisions without figuring out the source of the problem first. If all the answers leads to the heat pump, then you need to figure out why your unit has decreased in efficiency. Is it overworking? Perhaps cooling system is weakened since it maintains cool temperature, which will only lead to higher energy costs. We recommend that you carefully clean the air vents. Clean the dirty air vents, replace filters and check for lumps or knots in the condensing coil. If these suggestions do not help reduce energy, your heat pump is nearing the end of its working life. You’ll need to replace it soon.

7. Your heat pump requiring constant repairs (and expired warranty)

Is your favourite heat pump costing you expensive repairs more frequently? Ideally, your heat pump only needs servicing once a year to keep it in top shape and running efficiently throughout the year. But if you’re requiring service or repairs more than a few times per year, it may be the right time to replace it. Newer heat pumps provide more efficiency and more energy saving options. Normally, you can, could consider a major repair or a part replacement. However, when repairs are required again later on in the unit’s life, it signals bigger issues to come. If your warranty protection expires and your heat pump requires complicated repairs (which could have similar cost to a new heat pump), that definitive sign that you should shop for a new heat pump.

There you have it. We hope these 7 signs help you out if you need to replace your heat pump. Remember to act as soon as you see these signs, so your upcoming kiwi summer is trouble free, relaxing and energy friendly.

Get Your New Heat Pump Installed with JSR

JSR will understand your family’s sensitivity needs, assess, plan and install the right heat pump for your home. Get in touch with JSR, and we’ll book you a free on-site consultation with a certified heat pump technician.