Air source heat pump servicing: all you need to know

Taking proper care of your heat pump will help to prolong its life and maintain its efficiency.

Here, we’ll cover all you need to know about air source heat pump servicing and maintenance so you can keep your commercial heat pump in the best condition possible.

What is air source heat pump servicing?

A heat pump service involves a wide range of tests, checks and inspections designed to make sure that your heat pump is working properly, that it’s as efficient as possible, and that it’s safe.

A service will also help to identify any issues with your heat pump – from refrigerant leaks to wear and tear or damage to components – that your engineer can fix for you.

In this way, heat pump servicing can help to save you money by allowing you to deal with any faults quickly before they become more expensive problems.

Benefits of air source heat pump servicing

Although businesses aren’t legally required to get their heat pumps serviced, they are legally required to ensure their heating systems – including heat pumps – meet workplace health standards, and that the workplace is a comfortable temperature.

With that in mind, air source heat pump servicing is a must! Here are some of the main benefits.

Safety

Although air source heat pumps can’t leak carbon monoxide like boilers can, they can still leak refrigerants. Servicing will give you important peace of mind that your heating system is completely safe.

Energy efficiency

Your engineer will assess your heat pump’s overall energy efficiency and may make adjustments to help reduce energy consumption – saving you money on your energy bills.

Longevity

A well-maintained heat pump will operate more smoothly and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on components. In this way, regular servicing can increase your heat pump’s lifespan.

Reliability

Air source heat pump servicing is a form of preventative maintenance, helping you to keep your heat pump in good working order and prevent unnecessary breakdowns.

Comfort

Your heat pump is crucial for maintaining a comfortable environment for employees and customers. A well-maintained heat pump will operate more efficiently and reliably, improving productivity and customer satisfaction.

Avoid costly issues

By having your heat pump regularly inspected by a qualified engineer, you’ll be able to catch small niggles before they become bigger, more expensive problems. In this way, you can stave off costly repairs and replacements.

Warranty

If your system is still under warranty, regular servicing is often a requirement. Skipping services could void your warranty.

What does an air source heat pump service involve?

An air source heat pump service can involve a wide range of tests, checks and inspections.

Here are some of the main things you can expect:

• Visual inspection
• System checks (visual and diagnostic)
• Leak testing relevant pipework
• Checking refrigerant levels
• Topping up refrigerant levels if necessary (or full refrigerant replacement in the case of blends of gases)
• Measuring proper airflow and cleaning the evaporator coils
• Temperature checks
• Testing controls and thermostat
• Testing electrical circuits
• Inspecting electrical contacts
• Inspecting heat exchanger
• Recommending upgrades or adjustments
• Advice and guidance on system set-up

How often do you need to service a heat pump?

Most commercial heat pumps should be serviced at least once a year and ideally twice.

If the timing is right, scheduling your service before winter hits can be a great shout. This is because it will allow you to schedule in any necessary adjustments or repairs before your heat pump faces heavy usage through the winter months.

After the heating season it is a great time for a minor service to check for wear and tear as well as preparing it for the lighter duty of the summer.

Just bear in mind that there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Depending on your commercial heat pump’s specific usage and the manufacturer’s recommendations, you may prefer to service your heat pump more regularly.

This may apply to businesses that…

• Have heavy usage of heat pumps continuously
• Operate in harsh environments
• Experience extreme weather conditions
• Are exposed to high levels of dust, debris and moisture

More regular maintenance can help to mitigate potential issues caused by heavy wear and tear, and allow businesses to address any problems before they develop into larger, more costly ones.

When to schedule a heat pump service?

In an ideal world, you shouldn’t need to schedule additional checks between services, except for evaporator cleaning which needs to be done regularly if it’s getting clogged with pollen or dirt.

However, if you notice any issues with your heat pump, that’s a sign that you should get your heat pump checked by a professional again as soon as possible.

Here are some signs to look out for:

• Excessive noise: excessive noise can suggest worn-out components within the system.
• Sporadic temperatures: if your heat pump can’t maintain a consistent temperature, this is a sign that the system isn’t operating efficiently.
• Spike in energy bills: if your energy bills spike without an increase in usage, this could suggest an underlying issue causing your heat pump to work harder than necessary.

If you notice any of these signs, getting an engineer to inspect your heat pump can help you to identify and fix any issues before they escalate – saving you money in the long run and ensuring smooth operation.

At Clade we monitor heat pumps remotely and, for customers with a service contract, we will proactively look out for issues that could need intervention. If something does crop up then we will book a site visit to fix it straight away.

How much does air source heat pump servicing cost?

It’s difficult to put a figure on exactly how much it will cost to service a commercial air source heat pump.

After all, this can vary based on lots of different factors – like the type of system you have, its size and the refrigerant used.

It will also depend on whether you opt for one-off servicing or a yearly package.

At Clade, we can service heat pumps as a one-off, or we can offer yearly packages, like our after-sales support packages which come in three levels: bronze, silver and gold. Bronze is the basic servicing and gold is a comprehensive cover service.

These include yearly servicing, next working day service engineering support, access to Clade’s technical helpdesk, and commissioning engineer attendance.

In this way, we can be there to offer maintenance, support, and software upgrades throughout your system’s lifecycle, going above and beyond what’s offered by a yearly service.

Regardless, it’s important to note that, while servicing can seem like a significant upfront cost, it will reduce your costs in the long run by…

• Reducing your heat pump running costs
• Preventing costly repairs
• Extending your heat pump’s lifespan

How long do air source heat pumps last?

On average, you can expect your heat pump to last double the lifespan of a typical domestic boiler.

While boilers will typically last around 10 to 12 years, heat pumps should last over 20.

This is again thanks to their robust design with few moving parts – meaning your heat pump is likely to experience less wear and tear in comparison to other heating systems.

Of course, there is some variation here, and exactly how long you can expect your heat pump to last will also depend on factors like the make, model and spec – as well as how well you maintain it.

As we’ve touched upon already, regular servicing is key to increasing your heat pump’s longevity.

Air source heat pump maintenance: your checklist

As well as maintaining your heat pump’s service schedule, you can keep it in the best condition possible by undertaking some light maintenance yourself:

• Check that airflow isn’t blocked by dust or debris
• Occasionally clean the fan blades
• Replace filters when needed

This will help you to keep your heat pump spick and span between yearly checks.

Find air source heat pump servicing near you

Keen to get your commercial heat pump serviced by a professional?

At Clade, we’re experts in natural refrigerant air source heat pumps and can service commercial heat pumps up and down the UK.

We offer both one-off servicing and regular servicing packages – meaning you’re covered whatever your needs.

Get in touch to talk through your requirements and find out about the various options available.

Let’s get your heat pump working as efficiently as possible!