Updated October 2026. Should you repair or replace your heat pump? Repair it when it is fairly young, still under its parts warranty, and has one fixable fault. Replace it when it is older and a major part has failed (the compressor or a coil), when it runs on R-22 refrigerant, when repairs keep coming, or when a utility rebate tips the math. Heat pumps typically last about 10 to 15 years, and ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement once one is more than 10 years old (ENERGY STAR).
This guide sets out the decision in one place: a quick decision table, the $5,000 and 50% rules worked out, which failed parts matter most, what the 2026 refrigerant rules mean for a repair quote, and which rebates only pay when you replace. For how long heat pumps last, see how long do heat pumps last.
Quick answer: the repair or replace decision table
| Factor | Leans repair | Run the math | Leans replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Under 10 years | About 10 to 15 years | Over 15 years |
| What failed | Capacitor, contactor, defrost board, fan motor | Reversing valve, refrigerant leak | Compressor or coil on an older system |
| Refrigerant | R-410A, no leak | R-410A with a leak | R-22 needing a refrigerant repair |
| Warranty | Part still covered | Labor not covered | Out of warranty |
| Repair history | First repair in years | One or two recent repairs | A repair every season |
| Comfort and bills | Steady | Bills creeping up | Uneven rooms, backup heat running most of the winter |
| Utility rebate | None available | Small rebate | PSE or Tacoma Power replacement rebate available |
Most heat pumps land in the middle column on at least one row. That is where the rules of thumb below help.
The $5,000 rule and the 50% rule, worked out
The $5,000 rule
Multiply the heat pump’s age by the repair cost. If the result is over $5,000, get a replacement price too. It is an informal rule of thumb, not an industry standard, but it is a quick way to see when a repair is buying less and less time. Three examples:
- A 6-year-old heat pump needs a $400 repair: 6 × $400 = $2,400. Repair it.
- An 11-year-old heat pump needs a $600 repair: 11 × $600 = $6,600. Get a replacement price as well.
- A 4-year-old heat pump needs a $2,000 compressor: 4 × $2,000 = $8,000, which says replace, but the compressor is probably still under the manufacturer’s parts warranty. Check the warranty first.
The 50% rule
Another common rule: if a repair costs more than half the price of a new system, replace. It ignores age, so it tends to favor repairing older units.
When the two rules disagree
The $5,000 rule leans toward replacing old systems; the 50% rule leans toward repairing them. Neither knows about your warranty, your refrigerant or the rebates you qualify for, which is why the rest of this guide matters. If the rules disagree, get both prices and compare them side by side.
Which part failed matters most
| Failed part | Usual call |
|---|---|
| Capacitor or contactor | Repair at almost any age |
| Defrost control board or sensor | Usually repair |
| Outdoor fan motor | Usually repair |
| Reversing valve | Depends on age and warranty |
| Refrigerant leak | Depends on where it is and the refrigerant type |
| Compressor | Often replace on an older system; check the warranty on a newer one |
| Outdoor or indoor coil | Often replace on an older system |
For prices by part, see our heat pump repair cost guide.
Refrigerant: R-22, R-410A and the new refrigerants
Checked October 2026. The refrigerant in your heat pump changes what a repair costs and how long parts stay available.
R-22 systems
Production and import of R-22 ended January 1, 2020. The EPA says existing R-22 systems can still be serviced with recycled, reclaimed or previously produced R-22, and it does not require you to replace a working system (EPA). But R-22 is scarce, so refrigerant repairs cost more, and converting an old system to another refrigerant usually means changing components. Never let anyone put propane or an unapproved refrigerant in it.
R-410A systems
Most heat pumps installed in the last 15 years use R-410A, and they can keep running and be serviced. A May 2026 EPA rule removed the installation deadline for systems whose components were all made or imported before January 1, 2025 (Federal Register). New systems now use lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32, and those are not drop-in replacements for R-410A.
What this means for a repair quote
On an R-410A system, a refrigerant repair is an ordinary repair. On an R-22 system, a leak or compressor failure is usually the point where replacing makes more sense than chasing scarce refrigerant.
What a new heat pump gains you
Repairs fix what broke, but they don’t bring back efficiency an older system has lost. Since January 1, 2023, new split heat pumps have had to meet at least 14.3 SEER2 for cooling and 7.5 HSPF2 for heating (DOE standard, as summarized by Lennox), and ENERGY STAR says high-efficiency equipment installed correctly can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. Cold-climate models also keep heating well in a cold snap; see cold-climate heat pumps. How much you save depends on the home and how you use it.
Rebates only pay when you replace
Utility rebates go to new qualifying equipment, never to repairs. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025. Current utility programs for replacing an existing heat pump:
| Utility | Amount | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Puget Sound Energy | $1,500; plus $2,400 Efficiency Boost for income-qualified customers | Existing heat pump must be a centrally ducted, all-electric air-source heat pump out of its original manufacturer warranty; ductless and dual fuel not eligible; new unit must be AHRI-certified and meet PSE’s cold-climate performance at 5°F; installed by a PSE Trade Ally |
| Tacoma Power | $1,000 | New unit must be variable-speed; homes that already received a Tacoma Power heat pump incentive are not eligible; no rebate for replacing an existing ductless heat pump; the 0% loan doesn’t cover replacing an existing heat pump |
Sources: PSE heat pump to heat pump upgrade, PSE Efficiency Boost, Tacoma Power heat pumps, checked October 2026. Programs change; we confirm eligibility for your account.
Notice the PSE rule: your old heat pump has to be out of warranty. A heat pump that is still covered may be better repaired under warranty now and replaced later with the rebate. We handle the rebate paperwork for you on PSE and Tacoma Power rebates. More on every program at rebates.
Check your warranty before you decide
- Parts vs labor. Manufacturer warranties usually cover parts, not the labor to install them, so a covered compressor still has a labor cost.
- Registration. Many brands give longer parts coverage only if the equipment was registered within 60 to 90 days of installation. Find the paperwork or ask the manufacturer.
- Compressor coverage. A compressor failure under warranty can make repair the clear choice on a younger system.
- A new system: ours come with a 3-year Comfort Shield labor warranty on new installations, kept active with yearly maintenance, and first-year maintenance is included. Home Comfort Club members with a new system installed by Home Comfort Alliance get extended labor coverage for up to 5 years from installation.
More in decoding heat pump warranties.
Why an installed price is higher than the unit price online
The price of a heat pump online is the price of a box. An installed price covers the work that makes it run well and safely for years: sizing it to your home (we run a room-by-room ACCA Manual J load calculation on every installation), permits (we pull the required permits for every installation), refrigerant lines, a pad or wall bracket, electrical connections, removal of the old unit, start-up and testing, and the labor warranty. Utility rebates and manufacturer warranties also expect a qualified installer.
Home Comfort Alliance doesn’t publish fixed replacement prices, because your price depends on your home’s heating and cooling needs, the add-ons you need, how many rooms the system serves and where it’s installed. Get a price range in about 30 seconds with our free instant quote tool, then a technician confirms the exact price on a free site visit. See also heat pump cost. Financing from $179/month* is available for repairs and replacements.
*Financing through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and monthly payments depend on the amount financed, the plan and your credit. 0% interest options are available to qualifying customers. See lender for full terms.
How to compare two replacement quotes
- Did they do a room-by-room load calculation, or size it from the old unit?
- Is the permit included?
- Which refrigerant does the new system use?
- Is it a matched indoor and outdoor system with an AHRI certificate?
- Does it qualify for your utility’s rebate (for PSE, the cold-climate rating), and who files the paperwork?
- What labor warranty comes with it, and what keeps it active?
- What is excluded: electrical upgrades, new line sets, removal of the old unit?
Tacoma Power suggests getting three bids. Comparing the same items line by line matters more than the bottom number.
Can you replace only the outdoor unit?
Sometimes, but it is rarely the best value. Efficiency ratings, AHRI certificates and many manufacturer warranties are based on a matched indoor and outdoor system, and utility rebates usually require one. Pairing a new outdoor unit with an old indoor coil can cost you efficiency, rebate eligibility or warranty coverage, and newer refrigerants may not work with the old indoor coil at all. A technician can tell you whether a match is possible on your system.
Heat pump repair or replace FAQ
Should I repair or replace my heat pump?
Repair a younger heat pump with one fixable fault, especially if the part is under warranty. Replace an older one when the compressor or a coil fails, when it runs on R-22, when repairs come every season, or when a utility rebate tips the math.
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old heat pump?
Often yes for a small repair. For a major one, run the $5,000 rule and get a replacement price too. ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement once a heat pump is more than 10 years old.
What is the $5,000 rule for heat pumps?
Multiply the heat pump’s age by the repair cost. If the result is over $5,000, get a replacement price as well. It is an informal rule of thumb, not a standard.
Is it worth replacing a heat pump compressor?
On a younger system with the compressor still under warranty, often yes. On an older system, a compressor failure is usually the point where replacing the whole heat pump makes more sense.
Can my R-22 heat pump still be repaired?
Yes. The EPA allows servicing with recycled, reclaimed or previously produced R-22 and doesn’t require replacing a working system. R-22 is scarce, though, so refrigerant repairs cost more.
Can I put R-454B or R-32 in my R-410A heat pump?
No. They are not drop-in replacements for R-410A. An R-410A system is serviced with R-410A.
Is R-410A banned?
No. Existing R-410A heat pumps can keep running and be serviced. A May 2026 EPA rule removed the installation deadline for systems built from components made or imported before January 1, 2025.
Are there rebates for repairing a heat pump?
No. Utility rebates go to new qualifying equipment. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025.
Does PSE give a rebate to replace a heat pump that is still under warranty?
No. PSE’s $1,500 heat pump to heat pump rebate requires the existing heat pump to be out of its original manufacturer warranty.
Why is an installed heat pump price higher than the unit price online?
The installed price covers sizing, permits, refrigerant lines, mounting, electrical connections, removal of the old unit, start-up and the labor warranty, not just the equipment.
Is the replacement estimate free?
Yes. Replacement and installation estimates are free. Repair visits carry a dispatch fee of $119, with diagnostic fees listed separately.
Not sure whether to repair or replace?
Book a repair visit, or get a written replacement option with rebate help and financing at a free in-home visit. Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer, Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and Lennox Premier Dealer.
Get an estimate
A local comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.
Sources: ENERGY STAR, when to replace; EPA, purchasing and repairing home air conditioners and heat pumps; Federal Register, HFC phasedown reconsideration (May 2026); Lennox, regional efficiency standards; PSE, heat pump to heat pump upgrade rebate; PSE, Efficiency Boost; Tacoma Power, heat pumps. Checked October 2026.