What Does a Heat Pump Service Include? A Full Checklist

A heat pump service checks the whole system, not just the box outside. The engineer cleans and inspects the outdoor unit, checks the water side of the system, reviews your controls, tests the hot water cylinder where you have one, and gives you a written report. On a hybrid system they service the boiler too. Most visits take one to one and a half hours on site.

Below is the full checklist we work through on an air source heat pump service, grouped by each part of the system. If you'd like us to service yours, see our heat pump servicing page or our servicing plans, which include the yearly visit.

The heat pump service checklist

Outdoor unit

The outdoor unit pulls heat out of the air, so anything that blocks the airflow or damages the coil makes it work harder.

• Clean and inspect the evaporator coil and fan
• Clear leaves, debris and plant growth from around the unit and check the airflow
• Check the condensate drain is clear, so water and ice can get away
• Check the defrost operation, so the unit clears ice properly in cold weather
• Check the refrigerant circuit for signs of leaks
• Check the electrical connections
• Run the unit and check how it performs

Any work on the refrigerant itself needs an F-Gas registered engineer. Ours are REFCOM registered, so they can deal with the refrigerant side if something needs attention.

Hydraulics and water

This is the water side of the system: the pipework, pumps and valves that carry heat to your radiators or underfloor heating.

• Check the system pressure and top up if needed
• Check the expansion vessel
• Clean the filters and strainers
• Check the pumps and valves are working as they should
• Test the system water, glycol or inhibitor
• Check the radiators or underfloor heating are getting heat

Clean, well protected water matters. Sludge and corrosion build up slowly and reduce how well heat moves around the house. On our plans, the inhibitor top-up is free (antifreeze and glycol are not included).

Controls

A heat pump set up badly can run correctly and still cost more than it should.

• Review the settings and heating schedules
• Check the flow temperatures suit your home
• Check the hot water timings
• Talk through anything about the controls you're unsure of

Ask about your flow temperature. If it is set higher than your home needs, the heat pump works harder for the same warmth. The controls review is your chance to get it right.

Hot water cylinder

Where your service or plan covers a cylinder, the engineer checks the parts that keep it safe.

• Check the pressure relief and temperature relief safety valves
• Check the cylinder's expansion vessel
• Check the cylinder is heating as it should

Hybrid boiler

On a hybrid system, the heat pump and a boiler share the work. We are Gas Safe registered as well as F-Gas registered, so the same engineer services both on one visit.

• Service the boiler
• Check the controls that decide when the heat pump runs and when the boiler takes over

Paperwork

• A PDF service report sent to you after the visit
• Advice and recommendations, including anything worth keeping an eye on

Keep the report safe. Most manufacturers need a yearly service by a qualified engineer to keep the warranty valid, and the report is your proof. Check your warranty paperwork for the exact terms on your system.

How long does an air source heat pump service take?

From our own job records, most heat pump services take one to one and a half hours on site.

A few take two hours or more. That is usually because there is:

• A hot water cylinder to check as well as the heat pump
• A hybrid boiler to service on the same visit
• A fault to look into

If you're booking time off work, allow a morning or an afternoon and you won't be caught short.

How to prepare for the visit

A little preparation helps the engineer get straight to work.

1. Clear the way to the outdoor unit. Move bins, garden furniture or anything stored around it, and make sure the gate is unlocked.
2. Clear space at the cylinder and controls. If the cylinder is in a cupboard, take out anything stacked in front of it.
3. Find your paperwork. Your last service report and the warranty documents help the engineer see the system's history.
4. Note any problems. Write down noises, error codes, rooms that don't warm up or a jump in your electricity bill, and when you noticed them.
5. Leave the heating on. The engineer needs to see the system running, so don't switch it off at the mains beforehand.

What happens if a fault is found

Sometimes a service turns up a worn part, a slow leak or a fault that hasn't caused trouble yet. When that happens, the engineer will:

• Explain what they've found and why it matters
• Note it in your service report
• Give you a price for the repair before doing any work

Repairs and parts are not part of a standard service. On our Heat Pump & Cylinder and Hybrid System plans you get 10% off parts and labour. The Premium Protect Plan covers parts and labour on qualifying components for systems under 10 years old, up to £1,800 in each 12-month period. Faults found at the first service are not covered, and there is a 30-day waiting period after it.

If the fault is with the refrigerant circuit, we can deal with it ourselves, as our engineers are F-Gas registered. We also repair heat pumps we didn't install. See heat pump repair for more.

How often should a heat pump be serviced?

Once a year. A yearly service keeps the system running efficiently, catches small problems early and keeps your warranty record up to date. A servicing plan books it for you each year so it doesn't slip. If you'd like to know what it costs, read how much a heat pump service costs.

Who does the service

Our engineers are MCS certified, Daikin Approved, REFCOM registered for F-Gas and Gas Safe registered, with more than 30 years in refrigeration, air conditioning and heating. They work from ATE House in Carlin How, near Saltburn-by-the-Sea, and an office in Whitby, and cover Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire.

Book your heat pump service

See our heat pump servicing page, or choose a plan that includes the yearly service on our servicing plans page. To book or ask a question, call 01287 281014 or 07931 908711, or email info@ateservices.co.uk.