Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are now a common choice for heating and hot water in UK homes and public buildings. More efficient than gas or oil boilers and cheaper to install than ground source heat pumps, they offer a low-carbon solution with lower running costs. But like any heating system, performance depends on proper upkeep.
In recent months, we’ve seen a spike in poor installations across the UK. New entrants are rushing into the renewables space without the necessary knowledge or certifications. They often rely on subcontractors, with little oversight or accountability. Their clients are then left with faulty systems, higher energy bills, and frustrated building managers.
That’s where air source heat pump maintenance becomes essential. A proactive maintenance strategy protects performance, prevents faults, and preserves the manufacturer warranty.
Why Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance Is Essential
Even the best heat pump systems need regular servicing. Without it, they can develop faults that:
- Increase your running costs
- Drive up CO2 emissions
- Shorten the system’s lifespan
- Risk non-compliance with warranty terms
This can undermine the reasons you had heat pumps installed in the first place, wasting money that could have been spent on other projects. Don’t let your renewable technologies become a sunken cost fallacy. Heat pumps can save money and provide tangible sustainability benefits if you keep them working at their best.
Heat pumps transfer heat rather than generating it, so they rely on refrigerants, fans, and filters that need to stay in top condition to operate efficiently. Most heat pump manufacturers require an annual service, and skipping it could cost you more in the long run.
What Does Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance Involve?
A typical annual heat pump service by an accredited engineer should include:
- Visual inspection of the entire system
- Cleaning or replacing filters
- Checking and topping up refrigerant levels
- Inspecting and lubricating moving parts
- Testing system performance
- Checking controls, settings, and thermostats
- Assessing the electrics and condensate drainage
For outdoor air units, it also means ensuring airflow is not blocked by leaves, debris, or plant overgrowth. This can affect energy efficiency and output.
How Often Should You Service a Heat Pump?
Most air source heat pumps need a professional maintenance check at least once a year. If the system is serving a high-demand building, or if the unit is exposed to severe weather or pollution, more frequent checks may be required.
You should also carry out basic visual inspections monthly to ensure the outdoor unit is clean and clear.
What Happens If You Don’t Maintain Your Heat Pump?
Skipping maintenance can seem like a way to cut costs, but it often leads to much higher expenses later.
Common issues we see include:
- Low heat output: often caused by blocked filters or low refrigerant
- Frozen outdoor unit: indicates problems with the defrost cycle
- Heat pump not turning on: could be due to electrical faults or thermostat issues
- Higher running costs: a sign your system is working harder than it should
- Water leaks: usually from blocked drains or ice build-up
- Error codes or warning lights: signal internal system faults
Any one of these can reduce efficiency or void your warranty. Regular servicing catches problems early and ensures the best performance.
Why Carbon3 Is the Right Maintenance Partner
Many of the issues we see are the direct result of poor installation by companies with little experience or no certifications. At Carbon3, we do things differently:
- We’re MCS-certified and fully accredited
- Our engineers are directly employed (not subcontracted)
- We’ve completed thousands of installations nationwide
- We operate one of the fastest maintenance response services in the UK
We’re also Samsung-certified, offering market-leading 7-year warranties and direct access to spare parts. Even if we didn’t install your heat pump, we can still help.
Need peace of mind? Book a maintenance audit with us today.
Maximise the Value of Your ASHP Investment
A well-maintained air source heat pump:
- Lowers your running costs
- Delivers consistent heating and hot water
- Extends system life
- Supports your decarbonisation strategy
If you manage housing stock, make sure your residents understand how their systems work and how to report faults early. And if you’re unsure how to fund ongoing maintenance, Carbon3 can support you with financing, grants, and long-term planning.
The Bottom Line for Asset and Sustainability Managers
We know that maintaining an up-to-date asset register of your renewable technologies is not an easy feat, especially across social housing estates. We know that air source heat pump maintenance can slip through the cracks, but this is where it is most important. It may cost more for the first service in a long time, but this will be offset by the savings it will generate when the heat pump is working efficiently again.
A proper air source heat pump maintenance plan should be a core part of every decarbonisation project. Let us help you build yours.
Email us now at: info@carbon3.co.uk
Or call us if your project is urgent on: 0300 303 56 88
Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are now a common choice for heating and hot water in UK homes and public buildings. More efficient than gas or oil boilers and cheaper to install than ground source heat pumps, they offer a low-carbon solution with lower running costs. But like any heating system, performance depends on proper upkeep.
In recent months, we’ve seen a spike in poor installations across the UK. New entrants are rushing into the renewables space without the necessary knowledge or certifications. They often rely on subcontractors, with little oversight or accountability. Their clients are then left with faulty systems, higher energy bills, and frustrated building managers.
That’s where air source heat pump maintenance becomes essential. A proactive maintenance strategy protects performance, prevents faults, and preserves the manufacturer warranty.
Why Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance Is Essential
Even the best heat pump systems need regular servicing. Without it, they can develop faults that:
- Increase your running costs
- Drive up CO2 emissions
- Shorten the system’s lifespan
- Risk non-compliance with warranty terms
This can undermine the reasons you had heat pumps installed in the first place, wasting money that could have been spent on other projects. Don’t let your renewable technologies become a sunken cost fallacy. Heat pumps can save money and provide tangible sustainability benefits if you keep them working at their best.
Heat pumps transfer heat rather than generating it, so they rely on refrigerants, fans, and filters that need to stay in top condition to operate efficiently. Most heat pump manufacturers require an annual service, and skipping it could cost you more in the long run.
What Does Air Source Heat Pump Maintenance Involve?
A typical annual heat pump service by an accredited engineer should include:
- Visual inspection of the entire system
- Cleaning or replacing filters
- Checking and topping up refrigerant levels
- Inspecting and lubricating moving parts
- Testing system performance
- Checking controls, settings, and thermostats
- Assessing the electrics and condensate drainage
For outdoor air units, it also means ensuring airflow is not blocked by leaves, debris, or plant overgrowth. This can affect energy efficiency and output.
How Often Should You Service a Heat Pump?
Most air source heat pumps need a professional maintenance check at least once a year. If the system is serving a high-demand building, or if the unit is exposed to severe weather or pollution, more frequent checks may be required.
You should also carry out basic visual inspections monthly to ensure the outdoor unit is clean and clear.
What Happens If You Don’t Maintain Your Heat Pump?
Skipping maintenance can seem like a way to cut costs, but it often leads to much higher expenses later.
Common issues we see include:
- Low heat output: often caused by blocked filters or low refrigerant
- Frozen outdoor unit: indicates problems with the defrost cycle
- Heat pump not turning on: could be due to electrical faults or thermostat issues
- Higher running costs: a sign your system is working harder than it should
- Water leaks: usually from blocked drains or ice build-up
- Error codes or warning lights: signal internal system faults
Any one of these can reduce efficiency or void your warranty. Regular servicing catches problems early and ensures the best performance.
Why Carbon3 Is the Right Maintenance Partner
Many of the issues we see are the direct result of poor installation by companies with little experience or no certifications. At Carbon3, we do things differently:
- We’re MCS-certified and fully accredited
- Our engineers are directly employed (not subcontracted)
- We’ve completed thousands of installations nationwide
- We operate one of the fastest maintenance response services in the UK
We’re also Samsung-certified, offering market-leading 7-year warranties and direct access to spare parts. Even if we didn’t install your heat pump, we can still help.
Need peace of mind? Book a maintenance audit with us today.
Maximise the Value of Your ASHP Investment
A well-maintained air source heat pump:
- Lowers your running costs
- Delivers consistent heating and hot water
- Extends system life
- Supports your decarbonisation strategy
If you manage housing stock, make sure your residents understand how their systems work and how to report faults early. And if you’re unsure how to fund ongoing maintenance, Carbon3 can support you with financing, grants, and long-term planning.
The Bottom Line for Asset and Sustainability Managers
We know that maintaining an up-to-date asset register of your renewable technologies is not an easy feat, especially across social housing estates. We know that air source heat pump maintenance can slip through the cracks, but this is where it is most important. It may cost more for the first service in a long time, but this will be offset by the savings it will generate when the heat pump is working efficiently again.
A proper air source heat pump maintenance plan should be a core part of every decarbonisation project. Let us help you build yours.
Email us now at: info@carbon3.co.uk
Or call us if your project is urgent on: 0300 303 56 88