Heat Pump Maintenance: What You Need To Know

With heat pump systems becoming more and more popular, it is important to understand the tasks involved with their maintenance. In this short blog post, we’ll explain the basics of heat pump maintenance and the importance of ensuring that they are properly serviced.

Heat Pump Maintenance Tasks

To ensure that your heat pump system is operating properly on a day-to-day basis, there are several tasks that you should be carrying out regularly. These include:

• Cleaning or replacing Air Filters – The air filters in your heat pump are there to catch any dirt or debris in the air and remove it before it is brought into your home. These need to be cleaned or replaced before this debris builds up and begins causing blockages.
• Inspecting the exterior unit – As the exterior unit is exposed to the elements, it is important to keep an eye on it and regularly check it for any damage or obstruction.
• Checking refrigerant levels – The refrigerant is a vital component in the heat pump system, absorbing and releasing heat to keep it running. Low levels of refrigerant will impact the system’s ability to control the heat in your home.

Book a Regular Heat Pump Service

Make sure that you are having your system looked at by a professional with a scheduled heat pump service appointment regularly – approximately once a year. An air-to-water heat pump is a complex system comprising several key components and requires highly specialised knowledge to diagnose and repair, so bringing in professional help with your heat pump maintenance is the best way to catch small issues before they turn into highly costly repairs.

It’s generally recommended that you schedule your heat pump maintenance appointment before the start of a heating or cooling season, during which you will be relying on it to perform properly in order to properly control your home temperature. If you use your heat pump with significant frequency or live in an area with a particularly demanding climate, then it may be worth booking a service bi-annually.

Common Signs of Poor Heat Pump Maintenance

A lack of proper maintenance will inevitably lead to more and more severe issues with your heat pump. If you see any of the following signs, then it’s important that you get in contact with a professional as soon as you can:

• Sharp increases in your energy bills – If your heating costs suddenly skyrocket out of nowhere, there’s a good chance that your heat pump is not running properly and requires attention.
• Inconsistency in your heating – Uneven heating or low temperatures could be a sign of issues with key components in your heat pump system.
• Build up of ice on your exterior unit – Particularly when not in cold weather, a buildup of ice on the exterior unit of your system is an indicator of major faults.
• Unpleasant smells – Strange odours coming from your heat pump system may be the result of mould growth or other internal issues that require addressing expediently. 

We hope that these top tips on heat pump maintenance have been helpful to you. If you find yourself in need of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Pipelife. We’re available to offer clear, professional advice to allow you to make the best possible decisions for your home heating.