HVAC

Heat pumps are an efficient HVAC system choice for year-round home comfort in the San Bernardino area. These versatile heating and cooling units get the job done, no matter the season. But since they’re working twice as much as a furnace or air conditioner that only provides heating or cooling, this can lead to problems such as a shorter service life.

Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating answers common questions about heat pump systems, including: “What is the average life expectancy of a heat pump?” and explains what homeowners can do to help increase their heat pump’s lifespan.

What Is the Average Lifespan of a Heat Pump?

It’s impossible to know just how long a piece of mechanical equipment will last, as its lifespan is impacted by various factors throughout the years. Usage, maintenance, elemental exposure, and other considerations influence a piece of equipment’s final age. There are averages available which can be used to estimate how long a certain appliance or device will last – these averages provide a helpful starting point, but you should always factor in the considerations unique to your equipment as you attempt to determine just how many years of service you’ll get out of your equipment.

So, what is a heat pump’s life expectancy? Before we can answer this question, we have to know what type of heat pump is being considered. The lifespan varies greatly between air-source and geothermal units.

  • 10 to 15 years is the average lifespan for an air-source heat pump.
  • 20 to 25 years is the average life expectancy for a geothermal heat pump.

Extending Heat Pump Service Life

Homeowners typically want to know how they can add more years to their heat pump’s service life. If you seek ways to keep your existing heat pump in service longer to maximize the value it’s provided or to avoid heat pump replacement a little longer, here are the points that are most likely to have a positive influence on heat pump service life.

System Maintenance

Regular heat pump maintenance is the best way to increase your heat pump’s lifespan. Professional maintenance services are designed to alleviate the wear and tear your heat pump sustains while operating all year long. If you allow wear and tear to mount by skipping routine maintenance tune ups, the damage will snowball and cause breakdowns; then it will ultimately lead to a complete system failure. 

Heat pumps require two professional maintenance tune ups each year due to the fact that they function as the home’s heating and air conditioning systems. When you make these visits a priority, your heat pump regularly receives the help it needs to unburden the system from the harm it naturally experiences through normal operation. The service works to reset the clock on wear and tear, so it does not take your system out of service sooner than later.

Air filter changes shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to proper maintenance. While the filter may be replaced during professional heat pump tune ups, these two yearly visits aren’t the only times your system is likely to need a fresh filter. Air filter replacement is the homeowner’s regular maintenance responsibility, so make sure you monitor filter conditions throughout the year and replace them as necessary.

Failing to install new filters and running your heat pump with a dirty one in place will strain the system. Equipment can overheat, and components have to work harder due to the stress of poor airflow. Both of these consequences that result from a dirty filter damage your heat pump system, wearing down parts at a faster rate than normal. Your heat pump is likely to fail sooner than you expect when you don’t change its filters on a regular basis.

Heat Pump Services in San Bernardino, CA

Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating performs heat pump maintenance for homeowners throughout the Inland Empire region. Contact us today to make an appointment for system maintenance services. We also offer heat pump installation and repair services.