Maximising Air Source Heat Pump Efficiency: Pre-installation and Maintenance

Air source heat pumps are a great option if you’re looking for a way to heat your home sustainably while decreasing the cost of your energy bills. They operate by taking air from outside and transferring it into warm air to help heat your home. This along with their lack of fossil fuels helps pave the way to a greener future while comfortably heating your home.

However to truly benefit from your air source heat pump you’ll want to introduce ways to maximise its efficiency. In this blog we’ll explore various ways you can do this throughout the pre-installation, installation and maintenance phases.

The importance of heat pump efficiency

Ensuring your heat pump is at maximum efficiency has many benefits, including:

Saving you money on your energy bills - Heat pumps use less electricity, in turn lowering your energy bills.
It reduces your carbon emissions - Heat pumps are a form of low-carbon heating technology, meaning they contribute to lowering carbon emissions. Their use of sustainable energy reduces the environmental impact you have on the planet.
It’s a long-term investment - When they’re looked after properly and run as efficiently as possible heat pumps can have a life span of roughly 20 years.

Pre-installation

If you’re considering installing an air source heat pump, there are a few things you can do before the fitting process to improve it’s proficiency, such as:

Improving your insulation

Poorly insulated walls account for 35-40% of heat loss in any building or home. Insulating your home effectively prevents heat loss and cuts the cost of your heating bills, helping you save both money and the planet.

Checking the insulation in your walls, doors, ceilings, and windows will help you understand where you’re losing heat within your home and how you can reduce heating loss.

If your windows aren’t properly insulated you can seal gaps with caulk, sealant or use draught excluders.

If you’re finding your walls and ceilings are damp this is a telltale sign that your insulation isn’t working properly.

Ensuring your home or building is well insulated will help your heat pump run as efficiently as possible.

Implement double glazing

When you install double glazed windows it can reduce condensation, meaning you prevent the chances of mould growing and can help keep you warmer as condensation can often make a room feel colder.

Implementing double glazing can also prevent heat from escaping due to its air-tight seal, helping you keep your home warm and cut energy bills.

Installation

During the installation process, it’s important that the installer shows you how the heat pump works and how you can control it. This helps you increase efficiency as you will know how to get the best out of your system.

Installing a new heating system can be overwhelming, but when it’s fitted correctly and the handover process is completed properly, your worries should melt away.

When you choose an experienced installer like Enula, you’re on the right track to achieving maximum efficiency. Experienced installation professionals ensure your heat pump is fitted properly and can show you in detail how your heat pump works, how to control it and what maintenance you should undertake. This will help you feel confident about managing your heat pump’s heating ability all year round, no matter the weather.

Maintenance

Air source heat pumps are a low maintenance heating option. However, it’s important that you keep it clean and remove anything that may be obscuring its airflow. When this is achieved air source heat pumps can last for up to 20 years, which is a whopping 5 years longer than boilers.

So to help you keep your heat pump running efficiently, we’ve put together a list of things you can do to make the most of your heat pump:

Clean your heat pump

There are a few ways you can clean your heat pump to help it run properly, including:

Wiping down coils - You can use a soft brush to remove any dust or debris from the coils and finish by wiping them with a damp cloth.
Replace the filters every 30-60 days - You can clean the filters by removing them and getting rid of any dust, as well as soaking them in a mild detergent. This in turn prevents any blockages within the airflow.
Clean the fan blades - This can be done by removing them from the heat pump, removing any dust and wiping them with a damp cloth. You can also tighten the fan belt if it looks loose.
Cleaning the registers - You can use a soft brush to remove any dust, debris or pet hair.

Get rid of any obstructions

Any airflow obstruction can make a big difference to how well a heat pump warms or cools your home or building. You can remove obstructions by eliminating any grass, leaves, dirt and other debris from in and around your heat pump. You can also de-ice your heat pump, to prevent it from heating your home or building at lower temperatures. Some heat pumps have a defrost setting that helps with this issue.

Regularly inspect your heat pump

You can inspect your heat pump to see if there are any possible problems that could reduce the efficiency of your heat pump. For example, you could:

Look for leaks - Most heat pumps have a drain pan used to catch any condensation. However, if your pan develops mould or algae it can cause clogs and spillages on the floor. However, there’s no need to worry as simply cleaning the pan should eliminate this issue.
Refill the glycol (antifreeze) - Refilling this avoids the unit freezing up and breaking during the winter period.

Test the controls

It’s important to check whether your thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) are working properly. If you find any issues it’s a good idea to call someone out to check over your unit.

Get it serviced

Every 2-3 years you should get your heat pump serviced by an engineer. It’s also a good idea to get them serviced before winter to help you avoid any nasty surprises during the colder months. During the service, they will do a comprehensive audit of the system which includes:

Refilling the amount of refrigerant
Looking at water pressure levels
Checking ducts for leakage, and repairing them
Measuring the airflow
Inspecting indoor coils, filters, and blowers for dirt and other debris
Lubricating motors and moving belts
Checking for any wear and tear
Ensuring the heating controls are operating properly
Testing the thermostat is responding properly

At Enula we exist to ensure our planet and everyone on it has a future. That’s why we offer a variety of branded air source heat pumps that can help you cut the costs of your energy bills and improve your positive impact on the environment. So if you’re looking to install an air source heat pump in your home or building, get in touch with us today.