Servicing - Heat Pumps Scotland

31 March 2022

Why Does My Heat Pump Fan Run Continuously? Easily Fix This Wasteful Fault

If you been searching the interwebs for an answer to the question, “why does my heat pump fan run continuously?”, you’ll probably appreciate me just coming straight out and telling you that, if it is currently winter where you are, having your heat pump fan run continuously is probably fine.

Hopefully that’s put you somewhat at ease. However, now you are probably wondering why. Surely the fan shouldn’t have to run constantly? Won’t that give me a huge electricity bill? These and other questions are probably going through your mind right now.

I’ll get to these in just a moment. First, a brief explanation of the inner workings of your heat pump are in order.

How does a heat pump work?

Your heat pump works by capturing warmth from the air outside and, through the magic of the refrigeration cycle, transfering that warmth into your home to keep you nice and cosy.

Heat pumps use the same technology as the fridge in your kitchen, or the air conditioning units in the Spanish hotel you stayed at before the pandemic hit (except in they work in reverse).

Let’s assume that your heat pump is an air source heat pump, which is by far the most popular type of heat pump.

The heat is captured in the evaporator in the outside unit, where air from outside is blown across heat exchange coils by a fan. The coils contain a refrigerant, which evaporates inside the coils, changing phase into a low-pressure low-temperature gas. The refrigerant next passes through a compressor, which concentrates the heat and forms a superheated gas.

The superheated gas next enters a condenser, releasing its heat into the home, possibly with the assistance of another fan.

Is it normal for a heat pump to run continuously?

The fans mentioned in the previous section are critical to your heat pump operating efficiently, but is it normal for them to run continuously?

Well, in winter, it can be normal for your heat pump fan to run much more of the time because it is having to work harder. You intuitively know that your fridge has to work harder to keep your beer cool on hotter days, and so it is the case that your heat pump has to work harder to provide the heat you need on colder days.

When you put it like that, it’s obvious.

Basically, the less heat available in the air outside, the more work your heat pump has to do collect that heat, concentrate it and transfer it to the inside of your home. The more work the heat pump has to do, the more the fan needs to operate and the more electrical energy the heat pump will consume.

This is why heat pumps have slightly lower efficiency during the cold winter months than during the, let’s face it here in Scotland, slightly less cold summer months.

How often should a heat pump fan run?

It depends on the outdoor temperature, your desired inside temperature and the design temperature of your system.

For a well-designed system in temperate climes, it is normal for a heat pump to cycle 2 or 3 times per hour. Each time it runs, you can expect it to stay on for approximately 15 minutes, plus or minus 5 minutes.

If the temperature drops to below freezing, you can expect your heat pump to run more often because it is having to make a greater effort to provide sufficient heat to you property. In circumstances where the temperature is significantly below the design temperature you could find your heat pump is running almost continuously.

Why is my heat pump not shutting off?

If your heat pump is not shutting off at all, there are some common reasons that can cause this. When I say common, I don’t mean that it’s common for heat pumps to stay running all the time, just that if this happens, there are only so many reasons why.

Here are the main ones I’ve encountered.

Your controller is set to the wrong mode
Stuck relays
It’s very, very cold outside

Controller set to the wrong mode

It’s an obvious one, but sometimes it’s possible to simply set the controller to “ON” instead of “AUTO”, with the predictable result that your heat pump stays on permanently.

The fix: simply change the setting on your controller back to “AUTO”.

Stuck relays

Over time, component parts become worn and faults can appear.

The fix: this one needs a professional heat pump engineer to attend and repair or replace the offending part.

It’s very, very cold outside

Not much you can do about this one, unless of course you have a backup heating system to fall back on. Heat pumps these days can handle very low temperatures so it’s probably not something you’ll have to worry about, provided your system has been correctly designed and installed.

The fix: design and install your system correctly from the start, or have a backup system that can pick up the slack when your heat pump has to work overtime.

Summary

Heat pumps are becoming more and more popular in the UK, where our temperate climate lends itself perfectly to this eco-friendly renewable heating technology.

Despite this, they still represent a comparatively small share of the heating market, so people are less used to them and don’t know what to expect in terms of operation and performance.

They operate very quietly, particularly if well maintained, and will provide reliable service for many years, if not decades.

Why Does My Heat Pump Fan Run Continuously?

If your heat pump fan is running continuously and you can’t establish the cause yourself, consider whether it is very cold outside and check whether the controller been put on the wrong setting.

If neither of these explains the issue, you should bring in a professional heat pump engineer to diagnose the fault, if there is one, and advise on how best to resolve it.

28 March 2022

Heat Pump Maintenance – Tips to protect your system

Heat pumps can provide many years of faithful service, provided you look after them with regular maintenance. Heat pump maintenance needn’t be difficult or expensive, but it is an essential part of ensuring your heat pump continues to operate efficiently and well into the future.

Some aspects of heat pump maintenance can be done yourself because they require no special training and are relatively straightforward, such as cleaning the coils on the unit or making sure there is sufficient space for the proper circulation of air around the outside of the body.

Other types of maintenance do require to be done by a trained professional, because they are quite involved and might result in your heat pump’s warranty becoming void if you try to do them yourself. These more complicated types of maintenance tasks include cleaning and changing the air filters or other internal components. Certainly, anything to do with the refrigerant must be done by someone with the necessary skills to avoid the unintentional release of greenhouse gases and possible health and safety concerns.

In a moment, we’ll take a look at the most common heat pump maintenance tasks and what they involve. But first, let’s get an understanding of what maintenance is required for a heat pump.

What maintenance is required for a heat pump?

Heat pump maintenance can be broken down in a number of ways. We could think about it in terms of maintenance you can do yourself vs what needs professional input, or what needs to be done at different times of the year.

Of course, you might choose to get everything done by a professional, which is absolutely fine, but for those who like to take a more hands on approach, it’s useful to know what makes sense to tackle by yourself and what you’d be asking for trouble trying to take on without the necessary expertise.

Can you service a heat pump yourself?

You can certainly do some of the maintenance yourself, but always make sure to get a professional involved for the more demanding tasks, or those requiring specialist tools and knowledge, such as recharging the refrigerant.

Heat pump maintenance DIY

Heat pumps need regular maintenance to keep them running efficiently and to ensure they last as long as possible. You should think about maintenance intervals in terms of monthly, seasonal and annual tasks, much the same way as you would maintain your car. Your car needs regular top ups of wash wipe fluid, weekly tyre pressure checks and an annual service; you can think about your heat pump in a similar way.

Monthly Maintenance

Monthly maintenance is really nothing more than cleaning and a visual inspection.

Do heat pumps need to be cleaned?

Yes, heat pumps need to be cleaned. Every month, you should clean the top of the condensing unit or indoor unit.

Another important part of the heat pump that needs cleaning regularly is the air filters. These should be cleaned regularly as well. Carry out a visual inspection of the air filters and if they appear damaged or so dirty they are beyond saving, you should replace them. Changing your air filters every few months will keep everything operating efficiently – after all, a clogged air filter will reduce the efficiency of your unit, which is the last thing you want.

Seasonal Maintenance

Autumn and winter are the seasons of gales, falling leaves and snow. Golden leaves and crisp white snow might be appealing to the eye, but they are the enemy of an efficiently running heat pump.

It’s important to make sure that you always clear any debris that lands on your heat pump’s outdoor unit, including leaves, snow and any larger detritus that finds its way onto, or immediately next to, your heat pump.

Leaves and other windblown debris could get drawn into your heat pump, causing damage to the internal workings or the fan blades.

A buildup of snow next to the heat pump will prevent the free circulation of air, which can cause cool exhaust air to be drawn into the intake, which will obviously hamper the performance of your heat pump, or at least make it operate less efficiently. Clearing snow from around your heat therefore an important seasonal maintenance task.

If you use your heat pump for cooling as well as heating, it makes sense to have it serviced before the hot summer weather arrives. Bringing in a professional heat pump technician is a sensible thing to do to make sure it is working well and there are no components that are excessively worn may cause a breakdown.

Annual heat pump maintenance

The annual service of your heat pump should not be left to chance and is not something you should tackle yourself. It’s important to get a professional in to ensure everything is working as required, the electrics are safe and there are no leaks. I’ll talk a bit more about this below.

Professional heat pump maintenance – why you need an engineer

As already mentioned above, there are certain tasks that must be carried out by a qualified heat pump installer/servicing engineer. Don’t be tempted to tackle any of the tasks in this section, unless you are a heat pump technician.

How often does a heat pump need servicing?

As mentioned earlier, a full-service of your heat pump should be carried out on an annual basis.

Heat pump preventative maintenance

A professional heat will carry out a series of checks that should keep your heat pump operating well over its lifetime. These are likely to include the following.

Checking the electrics.
Annual inspection and servicing.
Check for leaks and refrigerant recharge.

I was always taught never to leave anything to chance when it comes to the electrics and heat pumps are no exception to this rule. Occasionally, an electrical fault can develop on a heat pump, which might cause the circuit breakers on your consumer unit to trip. If this is happening to your heat pump, heat pump technician will help to identify the cause and expedite the repair.

The annual inspection carried out by a heat pump engineer will check the entire system to ensure it is working properly. They will typically follow a checklist of specific service points and identify any components need to be repaired or replaced. The cost of a replacement part is likely to be charged over and above the cost of the service, although labour might be included price.

If you are keen eye for mechanical devices, you might notice if your heat pump develops a leak. If this happens, it’s extremely important that you get things checked out by a professional. They will identify the precise source of the leak and what is causing it using specialist tools and sensors. Once identified, because can be remedied either through repair or replacement of the broken parts.

Refrigerant leaks don’t happen very often, when they do your heat pump will need a refrigerant recharge, which has to be done by a professional heat pump engineer with the necessary training and certifications.

When does a heat pump need servicing?

Heat pumps don’t tend to need much attention from professionals outside the routine annual service. However, if you notice particular problems, you should probably give the heat pump engineer a call and get to take a look. Here are some common reasons you might want to get your heat pump serviced sooner rather than later.

Increased noise levels

If your heat pump is working less efficiently having to work particularly hard to warm your home, this could result in it making a lot of noise than normal. For example, the fan might make a lot more noise because it is having to work much harder to deliver the same amount of heat.

This can be caused by debris caught on the fan or clogged air filters, which require immediate attention for cleaning or possibly replacement.

Inadequate airflow

Blockages in your system can be caused by a buildup of dirt and debris around the coils, vents or air filters. This will typically result in poor airflow and you might be able to remedy this by having a careful look and cleaning the easily accessible parts of the heat pump carefully.

But if you are unable to identify the source of the problem and if cleaning it yourself does not fix it, you should call in a service engineer to take a look.

Decreased performance

A dead giveaway that your heat pump needs a service is when it fails to properly heat your home.

It’s wise to carry out the customer led troubleshooting guidance in the instruction manual for your heat pump to try and identify the source of this type of problem yourself. Consider checking the thermostat settings, checking the airflow is satisfactory and there are no obstructions, look for any leaks and ensure that the coils and air filters clean.

If these checks don’t point to a definite cause, or if you are unable to rectify the situation, call engineer who will help you out.

Heat pump maintenance cost

Heat pumps generally require very little maintenance outside of the routine annual inspection and servicing.

The annual heat pump maintenance cost is typically around £200.

How many years does a heat pump last?

If you take good care of your heat pump and have it regularly serviced by professional, as well as carrying out your own routine maintenance checks and cleaning the unit regularly, it could easily last year 20 years or more.

Summary

Heat pumps generally require very little maintenance compared to other forms of heating.

Provided you get serviced once a year by professional heat pump engineer, they will give you many years of faithful service.

There are some maintenance tasks that you can do yourself, such as cleaning key parts and keeping the space around the heat pump clear of snow, leaves and other debris that could affect performance.

However, if you find any refrigerant leaks or if your heat pump develops an electrical fault, you should call in a professional to ensure your unit continues to operate safely and efficiently.

20 March 2022

How Long Do Heat Pumps Last? The Answer is Astounding!

One of the key things people need to know when working out if a heat pump is worth investing in is how long do heat pumps last.

Heat pump technology is not something that everybody is familiar with, so it’s only natural that this question arises quite frequently. In this article, we’ll try to address the key concerns that you might have in relation to the longevity of your heat pump and look at the factors that affect this.

Modern heat pumps are very reliable, so it’s our hope that by the end of this article, you’ll have more confidence in investing in this tried and tested technology.

How long should heat pumps last?

According to the energy saving trust, provided it is well maintained and operated, a heat pump can be expected to operate properly for over 20 years. Heat pumps have come a long way since the early days and like any technology the reliability and efficiency have just got better and better as time has gone on.

Indeed, these days it is not uncommon for heat pump manufacturers to offer 10-year warranties, which cover parts and labour. Now that’s peace of mind.

If you’re concerned about how long your heat pump is going to last, you may have heard some stories from the 1970s or 1980s of shorter life spans. But even back then, you could comfortably expect 10 to 15 years of reliable service from your heat pump.

Perhaps a valid concern might be if you live on the coast and are worried that high levels of salt in the atmosphere, which could cause corrosion of your heat pump. Coastal conditions are not kind to mechanical systems, but if you live on the coast you will already know this, most likely from the premature appearance of rust on your car.

It’s worth having a conversation with your heat pump installer if you have any concerns about the likely impact of the weather and local conditions on your heat pump’s longevity. They will be able to advise you and, if they are a well-established firm, might even have customers who live in a similar location that installed their heat pump many years ago. If that’s the case, they will be able to point to real life examples of how heat pumps perform in your part of the world.

Factors determining how long do heat pumps last

As with any complex machine, there are lots of factors that can influence their working life span. We’ve already mentioned some of them above but let’s do a deep dive into everything that you should be aware of, so you know what to keep in mind.

Type of heat pump

If you have spent any time at all on this website, you’ll already know that there are three major types of heat pump, classified according to where they obtain their heat from. The different categories of heat pump are air source, ground source and water source.

The most popular type of heat pump to install in the domestic and business setting is overwhelmingly air source. This is because air source heat pumps are simpler and cheaper to install than ground source and water source heat pumps, mainly because they are a single, self-contained unit that sits outside your building.

Contrast this with other types of heat pump, which require the heat collector to be installed underground or in the bottom of a water body, and you can see how Installation costs can quickly ramp up.

Simply digging the trench for a ground source heat pump can take several days, causes a lot of disruption and mess, and adds to the overall cost of installation. If you intend to use borehole for a vertical ground loop, there’s the added complication of specialist drilling equipment and the risks around encountering unexpected ground conditions that could increase the cost of drilling.

Usage Patterns

Using a heat pump less often will obviously cause less wear and tear on moving parts, which means its component parts will last longer.

However, the paradox here is that the advice for running your heat pump efficiently is to let it run continuously, even if you pop out to the shops for an hour or two.

Doing anything that makes your heat pump work excessively hard is likely to reduce its lifespan, or at least the lifespan of certain components. You might want to make sure that you are not turning it on and off too frequently, although this is likely to have a relatively minor impact on the lifespan of your heat pump, so the most important thing is to make sure it works for you and your lifestyle.

Location and Climate

If you live in a relatively temperate climate, such as here in Scotland, your heat pump won’t need to work as hard as it would in more extreme climates, such as Alaska or Canada.

When temperatures plummet, the larger difference between the outside temperature and the desired inside temperature means that the heat pump has to work harder to maintain the indoor temperature.

Not only does this mean that the heat pump works slightly less efficiently, but also induces greater wear entire on the component parts, which can reduce the lifespan of the heat pump itself. Or at the very least will increase the amount of maintenance required and frequency of part replacement.

Local Conditions

It’s important to make sure that your heat pump is installed properly. An important consideration is the correct location for your heat pump.

Allowing proper circulation of air around the heat pump is extremely important, as is ensuring it is not a risk from trees or other plants dropping leaves or even dead branches on top of it. Overlooking any of these factors could certainly reduce the lifespan of your heat pump.

Stress to the unit caused by insufficient air circulation is going to make it work too hard and possibly fail prematurely. And clearly evident branch lands on top of it, that could be very bad for its continuing functioning also.

Maintenance And Servicing

It’s extremely important that you maintain and service your heat pump regularly. A stitch in time saves nine as they say, and that is true of any mechanical device particularly a heat pump.

A poorly maintained unit won’t last as long as one that has been well maintained and cared for. Service intervals on heat pumps vary, but once a year is a good rule of thumb.

Ensuring fan blades are kept clean and bearings are greased just makes good sense and will help your heat pump to last longer.

Signs Your Heat Pump Might Need Replacing

No matter how well you look after your heat pump, it will of course need to be replaced at some point. Nothing lasts forever, but how will you know when your heat pump might need major repair work or even complete replacement?

Refrigerant leakages

Leaking refrigerant is a tell-tale sign that your heat pump requires urgent maintenance. Refrigerants are greenhouse gases, so it is no good to have leaks which will add to ongoing global warming.

Your heat pump won’t work properly either without sufficient refrigerant, so if you spot a refrigerant leak it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Every time you recharge the refrigerant, it will cost you for the refrigerant itself as well as callouts and labour costs. This is not a job you can do yourself and will require a certified technician. If you find yourself calling out a technician regularly, it might be time to invest in a new heat pump.

Reduced efficiency and large electricity bills

As you heat pump gets older, it is normal for its efficiency to tail off somewhat. The less efficient your heat pump gets, the more you are going to spend on electricity.

If regular maintenance and or repair fails to get your heat pump operating efficiently again and doesn’t bring your electricity bills down, it could be time to get a new heat pump.

Compressor failure

The compressor is such an important component and one that does a lot of the donkey work in your heat pump, that even with regular maintenance it can go kaput.

If your heat pump is come to the end of his warranty and the compressor fails, you’ll need to weigh up your options carefully. However, the most economic thing to do might well be to buy a new heat pump instead of replacing the compressor, which is a very expensive component.

Tips On Maximising Your Heat Pumps Lifespan

it’s not rocket science to follow best practice for maintaining your heat pump and therefore maximising its lifespan. Most of the steps you would need to take part common sense.

Some steps require a heat pump technician, but there are some you can do yourself.

Let’s take a look at some of the best practices you should follow.

Get your heat pump serviced every year
Clean the air filters approximately once a month
Replace the air filters three or four times a year
Make sure the refrigerant is kept topped up
If you live in a cold region and ice forms on the outdoor unit, clear this away
Give the coils a wipe to keep them clean

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats can work very well in harmony with your heat pump. They allow you to control how your heat pump runs, automatically switching it off while you’re out of work for example turning it on in time for your return home.

This means it’s only running when necessary and can reduce wear and tear ensuring your unit last as long as possible.

Summary

These days modern heat pumps should provide you with loyal, reliable service for 20 years or more, provided you take care of them.

If you ensure your heat pump is properly installed, regularly maintained and serviced, you could see its lifespan extended well beyond what you might expect.

Follow the tips and advice above and you’ll get the most out of your unit in the long run.

If you enjoyed this article, why not read more about heat pumps in our popular article about how heat pumps work, or how to find a heat pump installer?

20 December 2016

Ground Source Heat Pump Problems

Things to Look Out For and What To Do If The Worst Happens

Ground source heat pump problems can be avoided if you have your system sized and installed by a reputable company that knows what it is doing. However, you might find yourself stuck with a poorly performing or malfunctioning system for any number of reasons. For example, you may have inherited the system from the previous owner, or perhaps you tried to cut corners yourself on the installation and are now regretting it.

Whatever the cause of the problems you are facing, rest assured that there is almost always a solution. This guide will help you troubleshoot the problems yourself initially and, if professional advice is required, tell you the right kinds of questions to ask of the technician who comes to investigate.

The Heat Pump System

Before we get into talking about the problems that can crop up, its worth spending a little time refreshing our minds about how a ground source heat pump works and the component parts that make up the whole.

A typical ground source heat pump system comprises the following parts.

The Ground Loop (the bit where the heat is sourced)
The “Heat Pump” itself – the mechanical heat engine part that serves as a fridge in reverse
The Heat Sink – e.g. your underfloor heating coils

These are the main bits of the system that you would need to look at to fix any problems and it is useful to bear these pieces in mind as you read on.

If you are keen to go into more detail, you can find more in depth articles elsewhere on this site.

Do you need a professional?

Depending on your level of knowledge and technical competence, you might need to consult a professional at some stage. However there are some basic checks that even a complete lay person can easily carry out. Let’s start with those.

Customer-Led Troubleshooting

Before you reach for the phone, its a good idea to investigate the problem, if for no other reason than you will be better able to describe what has gone wrong to the technician so that he or she can be prepared when they visit you.

Is the system plugged in and receiving power? Obvious I know but this can be overlooked quite easily. The potential embarrassment (and cost) when the engineer comes out, plugs the unit back in and then goes on his merry way having charged you a nice callout fee is worth avoiding.
Visual check. You might be surprised as how much you can find out just by looking in the right places. If something looks wrong, the chances are that it is wrong! So, check for leaks, worn or broken cables and other signs that something is amiss with your system.
Has your circuit breaker tripped? This is a very obvious thing to check and could save you having to go any further with your investigations. Just flick the switch on the breaker back into the “on” position and you’re back in business.
Have you set your system thermostat correctly? It is possible that you, a small child or a pet has accidentally knocked the thermostat and caused it to set the operating temperature to something that you don’t want. I’ve also seen heat pumps put into reverse by mistake (cooling instead of heating), so this is also worth checking.
Is water flowing through the heat exchanger? You can tell this by listening carefully or by touch.
Does your air filter or the coils require a change? If they have become dirty, this can impede the flow and cause your system to malfunction. Give them a clean or change them for new ones.
Is the pressure high enough in the loop system where the heat is absorbed or emitted?
Are the pumps operating correctly? A failed loop pump will cause the entire system to fail.

Professional Advice

If you’ve checked all of the above issues, then it’s time to get a professional on site. Make sure you find a trusted service engineer (personal recommendations are often the best way to ensure that the quality of the technician’s work will be of a high standard).

Some of the issues that might require professional intervention include the following.

Refrigerant problems. The refrigerant is the fluid that does all of the hard work inside your heat pump, so if there’s something wrong with that, it is likely to affect your system as a whole. Typical problems could include low refrigerant levels, scale or fouling of the heat exchanger or a problem with the reversing valve.
Warm air not warm enough. A common cause of this problem is that the flowrate of the air through the system is too high. This means that the residence time of the air is too short and it doesn’t get heated up enough. This problem is normally easily fixed by reducing the speed of the fan.
Generally reduced performance. Less than expected heating or cooling performance is often caused by reduced airflow and can be fixed by replacing the air filter.
High humidity inside the building. This is sometimes caused by an excessively high air flowrate or by the heat pump unit being too big for the job. Adjusting the speed of the fan can often resolve this issue.

If you do find yourself having problems with your ground source heat pump system, don’t panic. A careful visual check can sometimes resolve the problem.

And if you keep your heat pump regularly serviced, it should last you a long time.

If problems persist, obtain the help of a professional. Don’t forget that most companies will guarantee their work for a period of time. Make sure you use a reputable company, preferably based on personal recommendations and you will be fine.

17 December 2016

Heat Pump Services

As with anything mechanical, from time to time there is a chance that your heat pump might require attention from a qualified technician. If there are any problems, you want them fixed as soon as possible, without any fuss and without being hit with a large bill.

That’s where a service plan comes in.

Heat Pump Servicing

Heat pump technology is continuously improving and their reliability is getting better every day. However, if you value your peace of mind, it is important that you take steps to prevent your heat pump developing problems and that you have a safety net should your heat pump break down.

First, let’s have a look at the problem.

Heat Pump Repair Cost

So you’ve been using your heat pump happily and without any problem for a few years, but then just before your in-laws come to visit in the depths of winter, your heat pump fails. You’re stuck with snow on the ground, ice on the inside of your windows and you can see your breath in the bathroom. Not a recipe for a happy home!

If you are lucky enough to know yourself how a heat pump works, or you can get hold of a qualified engineer, you might be able to get the system up and running quickly, but the work could be expensive and there is no guarantee that a suitably qualified technician is available at short notice.

How much does it cost for a repair to be carried out on your heat pump?

The answer is, as it is so often, well it depends! But that’s not very helpful so I’ll try to elaborate.

Taking the Nibe brand as an example, you could expect to pay £140 for a sensor change evaporator, which might not seem too bad. On the other hand, replacement of the compressor (complete fridge unit) on a ground source heat pump would likely set you back around £4,000. Ouch!

So, what can be done to guard against such unexpected bills?

Well, the first thing you could do is make sure that you look after your heat pump system properly, which means servicing it regularly. All good service engineers will have a detailed heat pump service checklist that they will go through during each service to ensure that nothing is missed.

Regular servicing is especially important as your manufacturer’s parts and labour warranty draws to an end. That’s when you should give serious thought to taking out a maintenance contract or service plan.

Heat Pump Service Cost

A decent plan could set you back as little as £18 per month, which is less than a lot of phone contracts and likely to be a good option for many. This type of plan would typically cover breakdown and would ensure you could get a fully qualified, competent heat pump engineer to come out at short notice to fix your heat pump before your in-laws arrive on that cold winter’s evening.

In addition to breakdown cover, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the annual service that many of these plans offer. That way any worn or damaged parts can be spotted early and replaced or fixed before they become an issue.

In Summary

So, a ground-source or air source heat pump maintenance contract is a worthwhile investment that will ensure your system continues to operate correctly for many years to come. It can also make sure that any ground or air source heat pump problems you might have in the future are swiftly and professionally dealt with and that any interruption to normal service is kept to an absolute minimum in the event of a breakdown.

Nobody likes having a cold house, especially not when the in-laws are visiting, so sign up for a maintenance contract for your heat pump today!