Keep Your Heat Pump Running Smoothly
To make sure that your heat pump continues to work to its full potential, you need to maintain it regularly with a heat pump service.
Regardless if you have an air or ground source heat pump, having it serviced can help the longevity of the heat pump. On average, a heat pump can work for at least 15 years.
However, a well maintained heat pump could operate efficiently for up to 20-25+ years.
Watch the video below showing the servicing of a NIBE heat pump:
What to expect from a heat pump service
During the service, the engineer will check the efficiency and performance of your heat pump. This ensures the system is working correctly and delivering the desired comfort levels to your home.
When you have a heat pump service, this will usually include:
- A full visual check
- Temperature checks
- System checks (visual and diagnostic)
- All heating pipework checked for leaks
- Cleaning of internal components
- Electrical circuits test
- Professional advice on system set-up and product use
A heat pump service will ensure the validity of your warranty.
Whilst heat pumps have a robust design with very few moving parts, you should still have them serviced once a year after the initial heat pump installation.
We recommend having your heat pump serviced in the warmer months. This allows confidence in the heat pump for the winter as it will be in great shape as the temperature falls.
Air source heat pump servicing
Air source heat pumps are the most common system in the UK as they are easy to install compared to their counterparts. They extract thermal energy from the air and convert this into heating and hot water for your home.
Air source heat pumps are designed to work in cold temperatures and are suitable for a range of homes, from a small apartment to a large detached home
As they are an external unit, they are more likely to be subject to harsh weather conditions meaning it is very important they are serviced. The engineer will check the evaporator is free from debris to ensure maximum airflow and also inspect the fan blade to ensure this is free from obstruction.
Ground source heat pump servicing
Ground source heat pumps work by extracting renewable energy from the ground and are perfect for homes that have land to install a ground array or borehole system. As the temperature of the ground rarely alters throughout the year, they are very efficient.
Although they are underground, they still require an internal unit which contains the key components. Therefore an annual service is required to make sure the system is still working efficiently.
How can I help to maintain a heat pump?
Aside from making sure that you keep on top of your yearly service, there are a few ways that you can help maintain your heat pump.
1. Remove any obstructions
One of the best ways you can make sure that your heat pump has enough airflow is to keep any trees, bushes, and other obstructions at least 5ft away from it. If any branches are blocking the heat pump, you should trim or remove them to keep it clear.
2. Monitor your water pressure
Just like a traditional gas boiler, your heat pump is part of a heating system that relies on a certain amount of water pressure to effectively heat your home. With a heat pump, your system’s water pressure should be set to 1 bar, so checking your water pressure and making sure it’s at the right level will help keep things running as they should.
3. Clean the unit
Another great way of keeping everything working properly is to regularly clean your outdoor unit with a soft brush. This will help remove any dirt or debris that can build up and block any of the working parts.
If you’re unsure about how to clean your unit, ask your heating engineer or check your heat pump manual for advice. To keep things simple, just brush down the outside of the unit with a soft brush and make sure nothing is blocking the air flow.
4. Check electrical wiring
Having your wiring checked regularly for any damage or signs of wear is all part of your service. However, if you notice anything before your service date, make sure you call a qualified engineer.
5. Check for wear
While your system may not need significant repairs regularly, getting issues fixed as soon as you spot them will help you prolong the life of your heat pump.
If you’re not sure how you can check your systems manual or ask your service engineer when they next come to visit.
