How Old Is Your Heat Pump?

​When Heat Pumps NOW is doing the rounds of Christchurch servicing and occasionally replacing broken heat pump units, some are under their 5 or 6-year warranty. A few more are around the 10-year mark. Granted, some heat pumps break because a child wants to see how many pieces of Lego they could fit inside a floor console (23 pieces for the record), and sometimes accidents just happen. But some heat pump replacements and repairs could be prevented with more maintenance. 

​Our team got a shock recently when Lynne called us to clean and service her 17-year-old heat pump! 

Why Do Some Heat Pumps Last Longer Than Others?

Lynne had her 4.8kW Toshiba heat pump installed in 1999 and has taken great care of it ever since.

 “I regularly vacuum the air filters. Usually monthly, but sometimes more in winter if it’s getting a lot of use. I also normally have it professionally cleaned and serviced every year or so,” says Lynne.

The company who installed Lynne’s heat pump no longer does cleaning or maintenance, and the local Christchurch business they recommended to Lynne never answered their phone when she tried to make a booking.

“So I Googled heat pump cleaners in Christchurch, there was only one with a few Google reviews and all of them were positive. I thought I’d give them a call,” Lynne says. 

“I’m really glad I did. Patrick from Heat Pumps NOW performed the most thorough clean and service I’ve ever seen. He was very professional, really making sure both indoor and outdoor units were as clean as could be. I was very impressed with how he took apart the indoor unit and put everything back together again,” she says.
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Lynne’s 17-year-old Toshiba heat pump does an excellent job of heating her open plan kitchen/dining living area. Her lounge gets plenty of Christchurch summertime afternoon sun, which is when she can close the windows, switch the heat pump to cooling, and avoid sweltering away in the heat.

“I’ve only ever had one issue with my heat pump,” says Lynne. “The heat pump’s motherboard took a power surge during a storm and had to be replaced, but that was covered by insurance so it was fine.”

Check out the date on the original invoice: November 1998!

Getting the Most From Your Heat Pump

So how can you get the most out of your heat pump and see it live long after its warranty? For one thing, Lynne’s outdoor heat pump unit is in a sheltered spot. There’s no foliage growing in front of it, and it’s not directly in the rain. If you can make sure your outdoor heat pump unit is protected from some of Christchurch’s elements that will help.

Lynne also regularly cleans her heat pump’s air filters. If you’re not sure how to do that, click here for a handy, step-by-step guide on how to clean the air filters in your hi-wall heat pump. Dust, dirt, and pollen build up in the air filters with regular use. If you’re using your heat pump a lot to stay warm in winter, then that’s a lot of air blowing through and heating your home. If the filters get blocked and clogged, your heat pump has to work harder to blow the same amount of air and keep your home at the same temperature.

​Cleaning your heat pump’s air filters whenever you do the vacuuming helps keep the air flowing freely through, reducing stress and maintenance on your machine.
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Finally, annual heat pump servicing cleans the inner workings of your heat pump, identifies minor issues before they become major ones, improving its heating and power efficiency to lower your electricity bill. In the warranty terms and conditions of some heat pump manufacturers, you’re required to have your heat pump cleaned and serviced annually so you don’t void the warranty. As we’ve mentioned, a professional heat pump technician will clean more than the air filters, although if you ask Lynne, some companies are better at cleaning and servicing heat pumps than others! 

Not exactly sleek or stylish, but this heat pump still does the job after 17 years.

Invest In Your Heat Pump

Do you see your heat pump as an investment in your property? When was the last time you vacuumed the air filters? Have you had your heat pump professionally cleaned and serviced within the last year?

With regular care and maintenance your heat pump will also have a longer life span! Heat Pumps NOW looks forward to the day when 17-year-old heat pumps are no longer a rarity around Christchurch, as it will mean our community is warmer, drier, and healthier.

If it’s been more than one year since your heat pump has been professionally cleaned and serviced, contact Heat Pumps NOW to make a booking.