How Do I Know When to Replace my Heat Pump?

During our chilly kiwi winters, there’s nothing better than having a warm, dry place to call home. Heat Pumps have become a staple in Kiwi homes. They efficiently keeping us warm and our homes dry.

 

So how do you know when it’s time to replace your existing unit?

 

Your Heat Pump should last around 12 years. Hitachi Heat Pumps have a 6 Year Warranty, this provides assurance of the product quality of your heat pump. Here are some things to watch out for and tips on how to extend the life of your Heat Pump.

 

Maintaining your Heat Pump is the best thing you can do to extend its life. However like most home appliances, even the best maintained Heat Pump isn’t going to last forever. We’ve made a list of common problems which might be a sign your Heat Pump's on its last legs and it might be time for a new one.

 

  • Constantly needing repairs - Occasionally your heat pump is going to need something repaired, however frequent breakdowns will probably end up costing you as much as purchasing a new heat pump. 
  • Struggling to heat or cool your room to the temperature settings - This can be a problem with older heat pumps, they seem to not heat or cool even though there’s air coming out of the unit. The source of the problem can be due to low refrigeration or a damaged compressor. Make sure you have your thermostat checked to see if it is working properly as it might be throwing the temperature off.
  • Low air flow - Reduced air flow coming from the unit could be due to congested filters, your thermostat set to an extreme temperature or that the compressor is not working properly.
  • Strange noises and smells - A fully operational heat pump should be almost silent. Changes in the level of noise your unit makes can be mean that a moving part needing repairs. Any noise that is screeching or groaning can mean something more serious.
  • Leaking or producing excess moisture - This could be due to blocked drains so check this before calling the specialist.
  • Short cycling - It’s normal for your unit to turn on and off to maintain the set temperature but it is not normal for the unit to switch off randomly. If your unit switches on and off excessively, it can put extra stress on the Heat Pump and possibly cause it to fail.

 

If your heat pump is playing up, get in touch with a Heat Pump specialist. You can find one here.

 

 

by Hitachi