ASHP + underfloor heating maintenance

pepi_thomas

Hi All,
I have a water based underfloor heating system driven by an ASHP. The system is about 3 years old and is installed in a new build house which is well insulated. I am very happy with it so far but I guess it needs some TLC. For reasons I won't go into I do not want to use the original installer to carry on the maintenance so I am looking for someone who can look after it for me. Knowing how different these systems are from your average heating system I need a real expert who has direct experience of air/water heat pumps (this is not your average plumber/heating engineer). Can anyone recommend from personal experience such a person who operates in the New Forest area? Thanks.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum:


I thought that apart from checking filters little maintenance was required. I had an ASHP for 6 years abroad and did nothing - neither did my neighbours.


I suggest you contact the manufacturer and ask them:


A. What non-user maintenance is required.


B. If maintenance, as opposed to repair, is required, what MCS firms in your area do they recommend.

matelodave

I'd agree with Cardew that there really isn't much to maintain. Checking filters & system pressure is about all that you can do and you can actually do it all yourself. Have a look on your system manufacturers website for maintenance information.

However, if you want to claim the RHI then I suspect that having the unit/system serviced and having proof that it's been done by a "competent person" will be another unnecessary hoop that you've got to jump through and pay for just to satisfy the rules and keep people in employment:mad:

pepi_thomas

Thanks for both replies. I have contacted the supplier as suggested and got in touch with a company that seems competenet to do servicing. The engineer looking at the problem says it's unlike anything he has seen before. I will describe it here as it may be of use to someone else in the future.

I have 17 loops distributed across 3 manifolds. Each loop has a twistable flow controller with a transparent thimble. In the thimble is a disc which indicates the flow rate. About half of the thimbles have turned a dark muddy brown colour so that it is impossible to see the disc and hence adjust the flow. I had assumed that this was the colour of the water in the system and that it had become badly contaminated by bacterial growth. Having flushed the system it now appears that the brown colouring is directly on the inner surface of the thimbles rather than in all of the operating fluid. My theory is that there was insufficient inhibitor in the system initially and this allowed bacterial growth in some places. The water in the thimbles is more or less stagnant so provided a good growth environment. They are difficult if not impossible to clean so having had the system flushed and refilled I will now replace the affected flow controllers. They are £7.46+VAT each

lovesgshp

The clear flow indicators, should not be that difficult to clean. Just make sure you shut off the supply and return from the manifold, unscrew the indicator and use a small bottle brush, or old toothbrush to clean. You should have the flow rates listed for each one, so you can easily reset.
Just air bleed afterwards.