Air source heat pump

JJR45

ProDave said:

Racky_Roo said:

I'd agree with the servicing costs and also trying to find good people who understand them can be challenging in some areas so might be worth checking that out

Heat pumps need no regular servicing.  You don't get your fridge or freezer serviced annually do you?

some aspects of the pumbing, e.g. an unvented hot water cylinder might need an annual check but that is the same regardless of what heats that cylinder, and in a lot of cases people don't even bother with that.

We had a Toshiba air to air heat pump and had it service every year, involves checking pressures and cleaning.
Dirty fins make them inefficient.
My parents have an air to water system (council bungalow) and that is serviced every year also.

coffeehound

Is there a pressure gauge or sight glass to monitor refrigerant level?

JJR45

coffeehound said:

Is there a pressure gauge or sight glass to monitor refrigerant level?

No, you need a tool to do that. Because of the risk of release of the refrigerant gas, that is why a qualified engineer needs to service them.

coffeehound

JJR45 said:

coffeehound said:

Is there a pressure gauge or sight glass to monitor refrigerant level?

No, you need a tool to do that. Because of the risk of release of the refrigerant gas, that is why a qualified engineer needs to service them.

That is a key point, then, although I guess it shouldn't be necessary to break into the refrigerant circuit to check unless there is some performance issue to suggest refrigerant loss -- certainly with AC units you lose some gas each time the twin-set is connected to, and disconnected from, the schrader valves on the high and low sides.

JJR45

coffeehound said:

JJR45 said:

coffeehound said:

Is there a pressure gauge or sight glass to monitor refrigerant level?

No, you need a tool to do that. Because of the risk of release of the refrigerant gas, that is why a qualified engineer needs to service them.

That is a key point, then, although I guess it shouldn't be necessary to break into the refrigerant circuit to check unless there is some performance issue to suggest refrigerant loss -- 

It is more to do with someone untrained not knowing what they are doing and releasing refrigerant.
Alway best to use a HVAC specialist as it is slightly different training to your standard gas engineer.
There are plenty of them though, I think our air to air unit (for conservatory but did the whole downstairs AC with warm roof fitted) a service was about £85. Can't see why an air to water would be much more as it is virtually the same, just larger. Also you would not have the indoor AC/Heater header to clean.

ProDave

But I still maintain you don't NEED to check the refrigerant level regularly.  The ASHP will soon let you know via an error message if there is a problem, and then you can get it checked, any leak fixed and the gas re charged.  I just really don't see the need to check it regularly.  You won't harm the unit if there is a gas leakage it will just stop and give you an error message.

JJR45

ProDave said:

But I still maintain you don't NEED to check the refrigerant level regularly.  The ASHP will soon let you know via an error message if there is a problem, and then you can get it checked, any leak fixed and the gas re charged.  I just really don't see the need to check it regularly.  You won't harm the unit if there is a gas leakage it will just stop and give you an error message.

On such an outlay though I presume many would want to keep warranty in place. Which will usually mean servicing in line with manufacturers recommendation.
You will need to clean it regularly though, so why not have a professional do it and check the levels as part of a service.
As the gas is a potent green house gas, it is kind of beneficial finding leaks or potential ones asap.
It kind of negates having it as a green alternative to a gas boiler if you don't maintain them and try to avoid potential refrigerant leaks.
I just thought as servicing as being part of being a responsible owner if I am honest.
They are a bit more complex than a fridge freezer.