Does using an air conditioner also as a heat pump shorten its life since it might be running twice as much?
This post was written by admin on January 27, 2012
Posted Under: Heating
Posted Under: Heating
… each year (more or less)?
Would you expect the unit to last about 1/2 as many years if it has to do both heating and cooling instead of just cooling?
Reader Comments
yes it will wear it out faster, but it is built to run in the summer and in the winter so it wont hurt the unit.
While I would have to answer yes to your question as it is posed, I invite you to look at the issue from another angle. The money you will save on your electric bill by running the heat pump as opposed to running it in emergency mode (heat strips) will more than outweigh the cost to eventually replace the unit. In my opinion, the cheapest way to heat a home and save energy dollars is by installing a ventless gas fireplace, and then use your heat pump only when the temp is above 50 degrees. Check it out: http://www.ventless-gas-fireplaces.com/frequently_asked_questions.html
in theory yes but mine is 32 years old and still going strong knock on wood
You answered your own question, but I wouldn’t expect it’s life span to be shortened by much. Ask a HVAC man this question they know from personal experience.
simple as yes, when you run twice as much
The bearings in the compressor are more affected by heat than cold. The unit pulls lower amperage as the vapor pressures run lower as in colder weather. That being said, it is like anything mechanical- the more you use it the sooner it will dump on you. I expect a unit like you describe to last about 3/4 of the standard central air a/c compressor for these reasons. I live in Houston, Tx. where we mostly use natural gas as it is comparatively inexpensive. Your options may be more limited. Good luck and God Bless and Merry Christmas.
most heat pumps use scroll compressors that are very durable. heat pumps, especially in milder climates, are more efficient so that you realize some savings there. a quality compressor with correct oil and refrigerant levels that is well maintained, should just keep going and going and ……..
I would expect it to last a reasonable amount of time because you are using it for what it is designed to do by Engineers the products last how long the Engineers design it to last. I wouldn’t be concerned.
new heat pumps are equipped with scroll compressors which require less moving parts, have a better compression ratio, and are said to wear in with time vs. wearing out like the hermetic compressors. One thing you should be aware of though is that the run time of a compressor isn’t so much critical to its life , atleast not as much as the day the system is installed and how it was installed.