Heat pump technology can drastically reduce your monthly energy bills by as much as 60%. However, these advanced residential heating and air conditioning systems do require maintenance checks for efficient functioning. Just how much maintenance?
This guide will provide consumers and homeowners with a clear picture of the costs of heat pump maintenance, whether they already own a unit or are considering installation costs one soon and looking over a heat pump maintenance checklist.
Different Types of Heat Pump Maintenance Costs
Heat pumps are elaborate, energy-efficient machines that provide both air conditioning and heating to residential and commercial buildings. While the median cost of repairing a heat pump is around $330 nationwide, the price varies greatly depending on the type of service required.
In general terms, heat pump maintenance includes repairs to either the unit itself or the thermostat. Repair or replacement of a thermostat is typically cheaper and more straightforward than the maintenance costs of the unit itself, with average prices hovering around $200. Repairs to the unit vary significantly depending on the specific part that requires servicing.
When repairing a heat pump, your technician will first need to diagnose the issue and then can advise you on next steps. The majority of the time, heat pump repair costs will fall into one of the below categories:
- Technician Costs
- Coil repairs
- Condenser repairs
- Furnace or Air Handler repairs
- Other repairs or replacements
It is important to note that the estimated cost of servicing a heat pump is also dependent on the condition, size, age, location, brand, level of damage, and maintenance history of the unit. Furthermore, regularly servicing your unit will lower the possibility of damage to any of its core parts and decrease the amount of out-of-pocket expenses you will need to pay over the life of the heat pump system.
Technician Costs
Your specific heat pump service provider will be able to advise you on the cost of a visit from a technician. However, technician fees can be categorized into two groups:
- General Service Calls
- Yearly Preventative Maintenance
A general service call will cost between $50 and $180, with an additional hourly rate ranging between $80 and $160 for further labor. Preventative maintenance service should be conducted at least once a year, with an average cost of $80 to $130 per unit, and an additional $25 for parts.
Coil Repairs
Coil repairs are sometimes necessary over the life of a heat pump and vary in cost depending on the services required. There are four typical types of coil repairs:
- Repair or Replacement of Pressure Switch ($25 – $50)
- Repair or Replacement of Metering Devices ($25 – $75)
- Repair or Replacement of Drain Pans ($70 – $250)
- Repair or Replacement of Evaporator Coils ($160 – $400)
Condenser Repairs
There are several different parts of a heat pump condenser that also may need proper maintenance over the life of a unit, including the following:
- Repair or Replacement of Capacitors ($150 – $250)
- Repair or Replacement of Line Dryers ($150 – $300)
- Repair or Replacement of Contractors ($150 – $300)
- Repair or Replacement of Fan Blades ($150 – $400)
- Repair or Replacement of Control Boards ($200 – $650)
- Repair or Replacement of Reversing Valves ($200 – $650)
- Repair or Replacement of Fan Motors ($250 – $650)
- Replacement of the Lineset ($400+)
- Repair or Replacement of Condenser Coils ($650 – $1,500)
- Repair or Replacement of Compressors ($1,500+)
Furnace or Air Handler Costs
Different parts of the furnace or air handler can also be damaged, especially when preventative maintenance isn’t conducted yearly. The costs of repairing or replacing these parts are as follows:
- Repair or Replacement of Circuit Breaker for Fan Coil ($80 – $200)
- Repair or Replacement of Limit Switches ($150 – $200)
- Repair or Replacement of Blower Motors ($200 – $950)
- Repair or Replacement of Wheel and Cage ($200 – $450)
- Repair or Replacement of Heating Coil ($200 – $450)
- Replacement of Circuit Board ($250 – $600)
Other Costs
Additionally, there are several other potential repair costs associated with heat pumps that are worth noting. To properly maintain a heat pump, it is important to replace air filters on a regular basis, which can run between $80 and $150 for standard filters, and $150 and $350 for high-efficiency filters. Cleaning or draining costs should also be taken into account, which typically costs a minimum of $80.
Understanding Heat Pump Maintenance Costs
While heat pump maintenance costs vary greatly depending on the specific repair necessary and the types of heat pumps, on average these units save consumers money and are more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than other types of heating and cooling systems.
With regular preventative maintenance, it is less likely that your heating system unit will require repair or replacement of any of the parts discussed in this guide. Even if your unit is functioning properly, it is a great idea to call your service technician annually to schedule heat pump maintenance and make sure everything is up to speed. Be sure to verify any routine maintenance costs with your technician here before conducting a heat pump tune up or repairs.
Sources:
Department of Energy. Heat Pump Systems.
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/heat-pump-systems
Heat Pump Price Guides. Heat Pump Repair Cost Estimates. https://www.heatpumppriceguides.com/repair-costs/
Improve Net. Guide to Heat Pump Repair Costs.
https://www.improvenet.com/r/costs-and-prices/heat-pump-repair-cost-estimator
