Heat pump servicing and repairs in Hertfordshire

Does a heat pump need servicing?

Yes, in the same way that a car or a boiler does. An air source heat pump has moving parts, a refrigerant circuit and filters, and it sits outdoors all year. A regular visit is a chance to catch small problems before they turn into a breakdown. Many manufacturers ask for servicing as a condition of their warranty, so read yours.

If the pump was installed under a support scheme, or you bought a cover plan with it, check what the paperwork says about servicing.

What usually happens during a service?

A service differs by make and model, but a visit often includes:

• checking the outdoor unit for debris, leaves and damage to the fins
• looking at the condensate drain, so water can leave the unit
• checking pipe insulation and the pressure in the heating circuit
• looking at the filters and strainers in the system
• testing the controls, the flow temperatures and the hot water cylinder
• reading any fault history stored in the unit

Ask before the visit what the service will include, and ask for a written record afterwards, so you can show what was checked and when.

Keep your commissioning paperwork and any earlier service records handy. They help the installer see what has been done before, and they matter if you ever need to make a warranty claim or sell the house.

What can I check before I call anyone?

Some simple things are worth ruling out first:

• Is anything blocking the airflow around the outdoor unit, such as leaves, a stored item, a fence or snow?
• Has the thermostat or timer been changed, or lost its settings after a power cut?
• Has the electricity been switched off at the consumer unit, or has a breaker tripped?
• Is the pressure gauge on the heating circuit in the range your manual shows?
• Is the unit displaying a fault code? Photograph it.

Do not remove panels or work on the unit yourself.

What should I leave to a professional?

The refrigerant circuit is sealed and sensitive. In Great Britain, work on a circuit that contains a fluorinated refrigerant, such as R32, is restricted to people with F-gas certification. Some newer units use propane (R290) instead, which is flammable, so ask whether the engineer is trained to work with flammable refrigerants. The unit also carries mains electricity. Leave any work inside the casing or on the wiring to someone qualified.

Why is my heat pump noisy or not heating well?

Noise, a house that stays cool, frost on the unit, or a high electricity bill can have many causes. Some are small, like a blocked filter or low system pressure. Others are about the design: radiators that are too small for the temperature the pump is set to, or controls that need adjusting.

In winter, you may see frost on the outdoor unit. Pumps run defrost cycles, so some of this is normal. Ask the installer if the frost looks heavy, builds up for days or does not clear, and note when you first saw it.

What if someone else fitted my heat pump?

That is fine. You can enquire about a pump installed by anyone, including a previous owner of your home. Give the make and model, the approximate age and who fitted it, if you know. Some manufacturers require servicing by an approved installer to keep a warranty, so check your paperwork first.

What if the original installer is still around?

If the system is new, ask the original installer first. They know the design, and a problem may be covered by their workmanship cover or the manufacturer's warranty. If you cannot reach them or they no longer trade, you are welcome to enquire here.

What if I rent the property?

Tell your landlord or letting agent first, in writing, so there is a dated record. In most tenancies the landlord is responsible for the heating and hot water. Landlords with a heat pump to maintain are welcome to enquire.

What should I put in my enquiry?

• the make and model of the pump, shown on a label on the outdoor unit
• roughly how old it is and who installed it, if you know
• what you have noticed: noise, a fault code, no heat, or low hot water
• when it started and whether anything changed around that time
• photographs of the outdoor unit and any display