When it comes to HVAC in Trinity, FL, the heat pump is one of the best systems to install. A heat pump is a combination of an air conditioning system and heating system in one. As an air conditioner, it’s the match of any standard AC of the same size—and that’s terrific for handling the hot Florida summer weather. As a heater, it has much better energy efficiency than electric furnaces. A heat pump can struggle in extremely cold weather, but that’s never an issue here!
If you have a heat pump in your home, you’ll want to know how long you can expect it to run. There is no single answer that applies in all cases, but we can give you some benchmarks.
The Average Heat Pump Lifespan Is 15 Years
A heat pump works similarly to an air conditioner—it circulates refrigerant using a compressor, absorbing heat through one set of coils and releasing it through another. It also has a similar life expectancy to an air conditioner, which is approximately 15 years. Some newer units are enjoying longer lifespans, but any heat pump may start to wear out after 10 years. We recommend planning on having your heat pump for 10 to 15 years before you begin considering a replacement.
How to Help Your AC Last as Long as Possible
Different factors affect the longevity of a heat pump, such as how often it works and how well it is maintained. You don’t have control over all these factors (such as humidity, which in Florida can give heat pumps and air conditioning systems plenty of grief), but you do have control over many of them. Here are the ways to push your AC to a longer service life:
- Never forget to schedule routine maintenance for it. You probably already know that an air conditioner should have maintenance each spring. With a heat pump, you need to have it professionally maintained twice a year. Why? Because a heat pump works much more often than an AC since it’s both a home’s cooling and heating system. We recommend maintenance in spring and fall. Our Premier Service Agreement makes this simple for you.
- Change the air filter every 1 to 3 months. The frequency depends on the filter strength. If you have inexpensive panel filters, change the filter each month (and be especially vigilant during summer when the heat pump will run almost every day). Stronger pleated filters may be replaced every 2 to 3 months, but we still advise you check the filter monthly.
- Clean the outdoor cabinet at least once a year. This will prevent the heat pump from straining to draw air into the cabinet. Use a hose on low pressure to wash off the cabinet; don’t spray water at high pressure into it, which may cause the fins to bend.
- Never delay calling for repairs when you notice anything “off” with the heat pump or when it starts to underperform. The longer you allow a heat pump to work with some malfunction, no matter how small, the more it will wear down.
Experience the Balanced Air difference! Balanced Air, Inc. has served the Tampa Bay Area since 1988.
