Top 10 FAQs About Air Source Heat Pumps Answered

Air source heat pumps, also known as ASHPs, are a popular alternative to standard heating systems like gas boilers. Because they are so efficient, they are being installed in more new homes than ever before. With proper servicing, ASHPs can potentially save a lot of money when heating your home because they stay efficient throughout their 15 to 25-year lifetime. 

Want to know a bit more? Here we will answer some of the 10 most commonly asked questions.

What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

It might sound strange, but an air source heat pump uses the cold air from outside and uses it to warm your home. A bit like a reverse fridge, the air is drawn in, heated up and then pumped out to your radiators and water system. This means your home can be efficiently heated all year round. 

However, like other heating systems, it is recommended that you book an air source heat pump servicing each year. This makes sure your ASHP stays in its best working condition.

 How Efficient are Air Source Heat Pumps?

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that air source heat pumps can be up to 300% more efficient. This means they make 300 times more heat than the energy they use. Because of this, it is safe to say that air source heat pumps are more efficient than normal heating products:

• Air source heat pumps are very efficient when used with other products like insulation.
• ASHPs can help reduce your heating bills because they reduce a lot of energy waste.
• The efficiency of an air source heat pump is kept up when you book a regular service.

How Often Do They Need a Service?

As mentioned, it is recommended that you book an air source heat pump servicing. While it is up to you how often you book an engineer, most experts would agree that once per year is necessary. 

When you book a service once per year, it helps the engineer spot small problems that they can fix there and then. This stops little issues from becoming big ones over time. Service My can provide trained experts who can help keep your ASHP working all year round.

Do They Work in the Winter?

Absolutely! In fact, ASHPs work much better than standard radiators in winter because they can actually use the cold air from outside. Even as low as -15°C, air source heat pumps will carry on working! 

However, you need to be aware that when it is below freezing, they will need to work a bit harder to manage the cold. But with a regular service and inspection, they are still a much better alternative and a winter heating system you can depend on when Jack Frost bites.

What are the Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps?

Air source heat pump servicing is necessary to get the best from them. If you don’t book a servicing around once per year, an ASHP can lose about 25% of its usual efficiency, according to Ofgem. 

This means you might pay more to heat your home. But you don’t need to worry too much because air source heat pumps have many benefits when they are serviced properly.

 Much better efficiency

An air source heat pump system will always be efficient. It will cost less to make more heat when it is regularly maintained by a professional and qualified ASHP servicing engineer.

 A longer lifetime 

Like anything that a home needs, an air source heat pump system needs to be kept in good working order, this helps reduce wear and tear and can help your ASHP last for over 25 years.

 Lower energy bills

A well-serviced ASHP works at its best, helping it run the way it should. When an ASHP is in excellent condition, it doesn’t have to work hard to produce heat, so energy bills come down.

How Much Does a Service Cost?

You might be pleased to know that an air source heat pump service costs between £150 and £250, depending on the work that needs to be done. If the system is kept in good working order with regular servicing, it is typically likely to stay at the lower price. 

The cost will get higher if the system isn’t serviced every year as recommended, because little problems can become big ones. This can be a high price for some people, but it will get bigger over time if you leave it.

What Will Happen During a Service?

During an air source heat pump servicing visit, a friendly engineer will come to your house and inspect the system. While there, they will do a few standard checks that an ASHP needs. 

These could include checking the levels of the fluids that make it work, cleaning the filters and making sure the electrical parts are working. They will also do some tests to make sure the ASHP is safe to use. Finally, an engineer will do a standard performance check to look for issues.

Is an Air Source Heat Pump Reliable?

Around 80% of people are satisfied with their air source heat pump system, according to a survey by the Energy Saving Trust. As amazing as air source heat pumps are, they do have their problems. But the issues only come when they aren’t looked after by an engineer:

• A regular ASHP service once per year will massively reduce the chance of a breakdown.
• If you book an engineer to service your system, it will last between 15 and 25 years.
• A service plan can be a great way to make sure your ASHP stays in great condition.

Can I Service them Myself?

Yes, there are some servicing jobs you can do yourself. An air source heat pump is located outside the house, so you can do a good job by keeping leaves and debris away from the unit. 

This will help make sure nothing gets inside that can cause a problem. The filters are also easy to clean, so you can do this yourself. However, for anything more complex than these two jobs, it is best to call an engineer to service your air source heat pump, as it can void the warranty.

How Do I Know a Service is Needed?

Like most things in your house, air source heat pumps will let you know when they need servicing. 

All you need to do is keep a lookout for some of the signs. Even if it appears to be running fine, there are some things to keep a sharp eye and ear for. These include strange noises like banging. 

No, you don’t have a ghost, you just need an engineer! Other things to look out for are higher energy bills and the heating in your home not being as strong as usual.

Summary

Rather than traditional heating systems like gas boilers, air source heat pumps are becoming popular because they are more efficient. They can save money and heat the home better. 

As efficient as they are, they rely on regular servicing each year to keep them running smoothly.