Guarantee Your Warranty: Annual Servicing Essentials for Air Source Heat Pumps

If you are a homeowner who has invested in an air source heat pump, ensuring that the system continues to run efficiently and reliably should be a top priority for you. These systems offer excellent energy savings, stable heating performance, and a greener alternative to traditional boilers. But if you want to get the most from them and to protect your warranty and your servicing is absolutely essential.

Planned servicing is the safeguard that keeps your system performing as it’s always intended to be, prevents any breakdowns, and avoids any expensive repairs. In most cases, it’s also a requirement set by manufacturers to keep your warranty valid.

In this guide, we’re going to break down why an annual service matters, what our engineer will check, and how routine maintenance keeps your heat pump working at peak efficiency.

Why annual servicing is essential

An air source heat pump is designed to be extremely efficient, but it relies on several components to work in harmony. The refrigerant, coils, fans, filters, sensors and controls must all work together, and if one part begins to struggle, the whole system compensates by working harder. This can increase energy consumption and reduce its lifespan.

Annual heat pump servicing provides 3 major benefits:

Protecting your warranty.

First and foremost, most manufacturers require yearly servicing to keep warranties valid. Skipping a service or allowing unqualified individuals to work on the system can lead to a void warranty, leaving the homeowner responsible for repair or replacement costs. Your service record is your evidence of compliance. It’s always worth keeping a logbook or a digital record that can be presented if you ever need to make a warranty claim.

Preventing performance decline.

Even if your system appears to be running normally, dirt on the coils, a sluggish fan, or minor refrigerant loss can reduce efficiency over time. Many owners only notice the decline when their energy bills begin to climb up. An annual service catches issues early, often long before they lead to more expensive faults.

Ensuring consistent heating throughout the year.

Did you know that heat pumps aren’t just operational in the winter? These systems work year-round to manage the temperature of your home, so with servicing, you can ensure that it’s prepared for peak demand, especially when it’s coldest.

What happens during an annual service?

Although the specifics may vary slightly depending on the model of your air source heat pump, a comprehensive service includes several essential checks. Engineers aren’t just looking for faults; they’re ensuring that all components are performing as they should. Some of the key tasks that are typically carried out during air source heat pump servicing include:

A visual inspection of the unit.

Engineers will examine the outdoor unit for vegetation or debris blocking air flow, damage to the housing, corrosion or deterioration, and secure mounting and drainage. Even something as simple as leaves trapped around the unit can place strain on the fan, so clearing the space is an important part of annual maintenance.

Checking refrigerant levels.

Refrigerant is critical to how an air source heat pump operates. If the level is even slightly low, the system must work harder to achieve the same heating output. Pressure readings and specialist equipment is used to check for leaks and ensure levels are correct.

Electrical connections and control inspection.

Loose wiring, moisture ingress, worn connectors or faults in the control system can develop gradually. During a service, engineers test the sensors, inspect electrical connections, and ensure all the safety components are functioning correctly.

Assessing the system performance.

Measuring flow temperatures, checking expansion vessels, testing the circulation pump, and confirming that thermostats and indoor controls respond accurately are all on this list. Performance checks can give a clear picture of how efficiently the system is running and can highlight early signs of deterioration.

Clearing and replacing filters.

Dirty filters restrict air flow, reducing efficiency and can even lead to unnecessary strain on the fan motor. Regular servicing ensures the filters are cleaned or replaced before they affect the system’s output.

How servicing protects against common heat pump issues.

Heat pumps are reliable systems, but like any mechanical equipment, they have parts that can wear, clog, or degrade. A service restores the system’s ability to move heat efficiently. If you’re dealing with rattling, whirring or grinding, fan wear, loose fixings, debris in the casing, all of these issues are easily corrected during routine servicing before they cause damage.

An unexplained jump in running costs also usually indicates a component is struggling somewhere, so annual servicing can help to identify the underlying issue quickly.

Maintaining peak performance between services.

There are several things that you can do even though professional servicing is still essential. As a homeowner, you can help to maintain your heat pumps efficiency with a few simple habits.

• Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear of debris.
• Check the indoor filters and clean them when necessary.
• Avoid covering or boxing in the external unit, which can restrict air flow.
• Monitor energy usage for unexplained increases.
• Check your thermostats to ensure that they are providing accurate temperature readings.

Regular servicing is going to save you money, and while it’s often seen as a cost, it saves you a lot in the long term. You will use less energy, experience fewer breakdowns, and you’ll have cheaper repair costs due to early detection of issues.

Choosing a professional service provider.

Only qualified engineers should carry out air source heat pump servicing. Your Air Source heat pump is a long-term investment that is designed to deliver comfort, efficiency and good environmental benefits. 

It can only live up to its potential when it’s properly maintained. Annual servicing is key to protecting your warranty, preventing faults and keeping your house comfortably heated all year round. If you’d like to arrange a service or you have questions, our team is here to help.