Maintenance-heavy

Maintenance-heavy describes a system, piece of equipment, software, or process that requires a significant amount of ongoing upkeep, repair, and monitoring to function correctly and efficiently. It implies a high frequency of required interventions, whether scheduled or unscheduled, and can refer to costs, time, and specialized expertise associated with those interventions. These interventions often involve replacing worn components, resolving malfunctions, applying software updates, or performing regular inspections. The term suggests that the item in question is more prone to issues, breakdown, or operational difficulties compared to alternatives and requires a disproportionate level of resources dedicated to its maintenance compared to its operational lifespan or benefits. This characteristic may stem from complex design, low-quality manufacturing, harsh operational environments, or the inherent nature of the technology involved.

Maintenance-heavy meaning with examples

• The vintage sports car, while beautiful, proved incredibly maintenance-heavy. Each weekend seemed to bring a new mechanical issue, consuming hours of labor and costly parts. Keeping it running smoothly was a constant financial and time burden, making it a true labor of love, requiring endless tinkering to overcome the inherent deficiencies of its original design and age. The joy of driving was often overshadowed by the fear of the next breakdown.
• Implementing the old enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, proved unexpectedly maintenance-heavy. Frequent glitches, software incompatibilities, and the need for constant updates required a dedicated IT team. The ongoing costs of patching vulnerabilities and integrating with new technologies slowly ate into the budget and productivity. While the initial cost was low, the long-term expense outweighed initial projections.
• The aging HVAC system in the office building was notoriously maintenance-heavy. Regular service calls were needed to keep the air conditioning functional. Its inefficiency led to high energy bills, and the outdated components frequently failed, disrupting operations and creating uncomfortable conditions for employees. Despite repairs, it seemed to continuously fail, highlighting the need for its replacement instead of more Band-Aid fixes.
• Building a complex, custom-built website, proved a maintenance-heavy endeavor. The intricate coding, coupled with frequent content updates and security patches demanded constant attention. The constant need to address bugs and ensure compatibility with different browsers, along with its custom-designed interface, made it far less practical compared to easier-to-manage content management systems with available plugin support.