An air source heat pump sucks heat from the air outside and brings it inside to heat your home. This system is a great investment all around because it can help you save money on the cost of heating your home. However, taking good care of the system and using it properly are the most important parts if you want to get all its energy-saving benefits.
Along with some basic maintenance you can do at home, regular maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure your air source heat pump works properly.
Furthermore, if your air source heat pump is not working well and you need to install a new one but can’t afford it, there’s a government grant under the ECO4 scheme, which helps low-income households by installing free air source heat pumps. These grants are only for eligibility homeowners or private tenants, so Click here to check the eligibility.
How Much Maintenance Does a Heat Pump Require?
Air-source heat pumps are usually easy to maintain. However, to ensure their proper operation, cleanliness and free movement must be maintained.
If you take good care of your heat pump, it could last up to 20 years, which is longer than the average boiler’s 15-year lifespan. A small amount of careful maintenance can have a big effect.
Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance Checklist
To get long-lasting benefits, you should do the following checks once a year. You’ll get the benefits for about 20 years.
Air source heat pumps can be designed and placed in different ways, but the maintenance steps are usually the same. They can be placed on the floor or built into the structure they support, among other options.
Here are some easy steps you can take to keep your valuable pump in good shape. However, it’s important to stress that the heat pump should be turned off before any maintenance work is done to avoid electrical problems or safety issues.
Remove any Obstructions
By keeping trees and bushes at least five feet away from your unit, you can help it get enough airflow. Also, remove or trim any trees hanging over the compressor unit.
Check the Condenser
An important part of any air-source heat pump is the condenser. Its job is to take in heat from the outside and turn it into energy that your home can use. Regularly checking the unit is important to make sure that the fan is not bent or broken and that all the parts are securely connected.
Clean the Unit
Clean your unit with a soft brush on a regular basis. Cleaning the tubes in your heat pump is important because trash and dirt can get stuck in them and cause performance problems.
Installers should clean or replace air filters as part of regular maintenance. These screens help keep dust, pollen, and dirt out of the system by gathering them. Filters will overwork if they get too dirty, which will cause the system to overheat and break.
Replace the Belts
To get the most out of your heat pump, it’s important to clean or replace your belts. This will help them work better and prevent them from breaking down when they’re used.
Any internal repair should be done by a technician who has been trained to work on air source heat pumps. You can do some maintenance on your own by vacuuming the inside and outside of your unit with a hoover. This will get rid of any dirt or dust that could hurt the fan or circuit board or stop movement.
Inspecting Indoor Coils
The indoor tubes are meant to remove heat from your home. Over time, dirt, dust, and other things can slowly build up on them and make them less able to receive heat from inside your home.
This doesn’t usually happen right away, but it can build up over time, like when you move the fridge every once in a while and are shocked by how much dust and cobwebs are behind it.
Check Ducts Leakages
The ducts connecting your system to the outside world move air and remove heat. If your ducts leak, air can’t move properly, making it hard for your system to pull heat from the outside.
Call your professional if you see any cracks.
Check Electrical Wiring
As part of monthly service, your wiring is checked for damage or signs of wear. If you notice anything before your service date, though, call your installer.
Inspect for Refrigerant Levels
The refrigerant moves heat from the indoor coils to the inside of your house. If you don’t have enough refrigerant in your system, air can’t flow properly, and your unit may become slow and useless.
If you find that it is leaking or doesn’t have enough refrigerant, you should immediately call an expert to fix it. If you don’t, your heat pump could get too hot, which will cost more than the cost of changing the refrigerant.
Check for Wear
Small maintenance may not be needed on a daily basis, but there are signs that it will soon need to be replaced. Do not ignore the warning signs.
Lubricating Moving Parts
Moving parts usually get worn down and need a little extra oil every once in a while. If you don’t know how to do something, look at your system’s instructions or ask the service technician when they come back.
Benefits of Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance
Save Time and Money
You can save time and money by keeping up with a good maintenance schedule.
Reduced Energy Consumption
Running efficiently reduces energy consumption, after all, this was the whole point of installing an ASHP system.
Greater Comfort
An efficient system will have better responses to temperature requirements, especially during our heatwave.
Increased Lifespan
All systems will have a lifespan attached; regular and correct maintenance could extend this even further.
Summary
Hence, maintenance is mandatory for your air source heat pump’s prolonged lifespan. This includes cleaning the coils, filters, and fan blades to remove smells and bacteria and increase heat pump efficiency. Lower domestic energy consumption and the homeowner’s carbon footprint decrease the likelihood of system breakdowns. Make sure that your unit meets the standards of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), the Bus, and the manufacturer’s warranty.