How to Prepare Your Home for an Air Source Heat Pump Service

A heat pump service is a necessary part of owning an air source heat pump system and is recommended once per year. If you have an ASHP, and it is due for servicing, there are some things you can do to help the engineer complete the work smoothly. 

Of course, the engineer will do most of the work, but if possible, it can help to prepare your home before they visit you.

If you aren’t sure what to do, here are some suggestions for helping them out a little.

Check the Last Service Date

Before you consider calling an engineer to service your heat pump, check the last service date and the warranty. For the warranty to remain valid, it might actually require an air source heat pump servicing each year. 

If the service date is overdue, then call an engineer through providers like ServiceMy as soon as possible. If you leave it too long, your warrant might become void, meaning you won’t get a replacement. Additionally, there could also be minor issues that can become bigger ones.

Clear the Area for a Heat Pump Service

There are a few things you can do to make a service engineer’s life a bit easier when they visit. Around 33% of callouts are for simple air flow blockages, but an engineer might need to work on more than that. 

So, to ensure they can give you the best service possible, please clear the area:

• Clearing the space around the heat pump helps the engineer see and reach the parts.
• Heat pumps also need airflow to work well, and clearing the space ensures this.
• During a service check, enough space will also reduce possible damage to parts.

Remove Items Inside the Home

Any engineer who comes to your home will be considerate of personal circumstances. However, it can be easier for everyone if some obstacles are removed. 

For example, you can help the engineer if you remove anything that can block access to the internal unit inside the house. Some examples are curtains, objects like lamps and even furniture. 

Access panels on the ground might also be blocked by rugs. So please ensure that anything is removed if possible.

Prepare Internal Systems Before a Heat Pump Service

During a heat pump service, about 20% of them will find problems such as issues with internal pipe work. 

However, finding some of the common and worst issues depends on some light maintenance that you can help with, if possible, to make the engineer’s life a little easier.

Please note that these are just recommendations and aren’t required before an air source heat pump servicing.

Water pressure

Like a gas boiler, ASHPs rely on pressure to pump water around the heating system. The recommended pressure is 1 bar, and it can help if you set this if you know how and are able.

Filters and strainers

The pipework of an ASHP unit often includes filters and strainers that are sometimes removable. If you can, clean them and/or note where they are so the engineer can check.

Access panels and covers

Heating system units usually have panels and covers for safety. However, they can be opened and removed. You can save your engineer some time by removing or loosening the screws.

Isolate Pets and Children for Safety

It’s hard to find an engineer who doesn’t love greeting the little ones or stroking the family dog. However, as much as engineers love these, they can get in the way when servicing your air source heat pump. 

For everyone’s safety, it is best if toddlers and children are kept away from the area and pets are secured in another room. The last thing you want is the dog licking an exposed electrical component! While the hairs standing on end would be funny, it is dangerous!

Switch Off Linked Services

Of course, air source heat pumps are connected to water and heating systems. For example, they can be connected to radiators, secondary pumps and even fancy underfloor heating. 

There may also be thermostats and smart devices connected to the ASHP, too. Please ensure that anything connected to the ASHP is switched off. If you aren’t sure, then let the engineer know about any systems connected to the ASHP so they can assist in switching them off for you.

Provide Mains Access for a Heat Pump Service

It is estimated that around 25% of the issues from ASHPs are related to electrical wiring. 

Therefore, the engineers might need to check the electrical systems when they visit. You can help make their job much easier by providing electrical mains access to power and the fuse board:

• Mains units are usually in storage areas, so please clear the path to the junction.
• If the fuse box is locked (as landlords sometimes do this), please have it unlocked.
• It will help if the route to the electrical box is obstacle-free and appropriately lit.

Provide Ample Lighting for Checks

Apart from YouTube ghost hunters, no one likes working in the dark! In many cases, air source heat pump units are located in hard-to-reach places. This includes the outside unit and the internal unit. 

Most engineers will have a flashlight with them, but these are mainly used for checking inside units. You can help them out by making sure they have access to light to see what they are doing. 

This includes opening curtains for sunlight and providing lamps to help your air source heat pump servicing go smoothly.

Summary

Checking the last date for warranty reasons is a good idea before booking a heat pump service. If out of date, the warranty could be void. 

It will also help the engineer if you prepare some of the internal components, but this isn’t required. However, good quality lighting is a necessity.