Air source heat pump servicing

clivermiller

I live in London and as part of a complete house renovation, a couple of years ago, I had a DAIKIN air source heat pump (ASHP) installed with a hot water tank and low temperature radiators. I would now like my ASHP serviced. Previously I had a gas boiler and house breakdown cover that included an annual boiler service. I've checked mumerous breakdown policies and can only find ones that cover gas boilers. Please could you let me know of a policy that would cover my needs. Failing that I would like to learn from your experience of having your ASHP serviced. Who did you use, what would I need to look out for in choosing a servicing agent, and what did the cost?

grumbler

Boiler servicing is a big con, but it makes some sense because of the safety concerns.

I'm no expert in heat pump heating, but do you have your fridge serviced every year? It's a heat pump too.

Rodders53

https://www.daikin.co.uk/en_gb/residential/support-for-homeowners.html might help

I'd expect that it is usual is to go back to the installers to maintain and service (annually?) and keep the warranty satisfied.

NOTE you'll probably get more views and responses in the https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/lpg-heating-oil-solid-other-fuels area of the board...  Ask for the thread to be moved?

GDB2222

grumbler said:

Boiler servicing is a big con, but it makes some sense because of the safety concerns.

I'm no expert in heat pump heating, but do you have your fridge serviced every year? It's a heat pump too.

The ASHP is an awful lot more expensive. It’s also operating in a much more hostile environment. It has more moving parts, eg a big fan. The heat exchanger may get clogged with debris, which is not a problem for a fridge.

So, there are differences, and it may make sense to service one and not the other. 

grumbler

More expensive - yes. More moving parts - I don't think so. Possibly the CH pump that works for decades without any servicing. Clogging is a potential problem for all hidden heat exchangers with fans, that can be found in many modern fridges, computers and other devices.

GDB2222

grumbler said:

More expensive - yes. More moving parts - I don't think so. Possibly the CH pump that works for decades without any servicing. Clogging is a potential problem for all hidden heat exchangers with fans, that can be found in many modern fridges, computers and other devices.

Well, maybe your fridge is different, but mine has a flat coil of pipe on the back as a heat exchanger. It cannot get clogged.  The fridge just has the pump. There's no fan.  YMMV.

The heat pump is outside, where there are leaves, twigs etc that can clog the heat exchanger. I'd say that a clean and inspection once a year, say, would be sensible. I have no idea whether there are any adjustments needed for maximum efficiency?

 

shinytop

An ASHP service is for the whole heating system, not just the outdoor unit.  Below is a summary of the job sheet from my last service. I got a 2 page report, with pictures.  The engineer was at my house for about 90 minutes.   At £250 it's still about £100 too expensive IMO but there is a lot more to it than a gas boiler's £60 tick box exercise. For the last one of these I had the gas man spend more time finishing his cup of tea than looking at the boiler.    

Think of it like comparing a car service with getting a tyre changed. 

Job Sheet

Check Condition of casing

Check all Electrical connections

Check all Pipe Connections

Check/clear Alarm Log

*Correct any faults before continuing*

Inspect and clean evaporator fins using fin comb if required

Check integrity of water pipe work and lagging, (repair lagging if required)

Check system operation

Check the antifreeze and if necessary, top up the concentration as per manufacturers recommendations

Record pH levels of heating water 

Check and clean the Fernox TFI magnetic particle filter and check inhibitor levels are sufficient

Check system pressure and top up if required

Release any air from the primary/ heating systems

Record - Heating L/Min Flow rate, Hot water L/Min Flow rate, Weather Comp Mode settings, Delivered Energy (kWh's), Consumed Energy (kWh's), External Heat Meter Readings, Starts, Run Time

Check the correct operation and temperature setting of thermostats

Check the operation of the zone valves

Check the operation and the timing of the immersion heater

Check any expansion vessels

Check operation of HW tank safety valves