@simonwig 

If it wasn’t network connected like many older systems, I’d want my firmware checked/updated. There could be bugs to fix.

Posted by: @simonwig

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@editor 

After my recent install my installer provided me with a standard maintenance checklist, which seem to be from the MCS standards documents, and it seems to me (from the standards document) that it is a requirement to provide such a list at the time of the installation.

Just wondering (perhaps @ashp-bobba has a view) if there is anything missing from this we should look for in a service?

Simon

Heat pump maintenance checklist.pdf

ps

They quote £195 for a one off service, £525 for a three year plan and £875 for five years.

Hi Simon,

This is quite comprehensive, some of the line items are more titles, so there are multiple things to check on electrical switches and wiring or hydraulic circuits / insulation / leaks and so on, this form covers the whole system, in the whole house and anything attached to it. 

If you can get your service company to check all of these items you would have a good service 

@simonwig, do you mind letting us know which installer you’re using? Companies promoting themselves here is a big forum no-no but members rewarding good service with shout-outs is very much part of the ethos.

@majordennisbloodnok 

Hi, it's Elite Services from Beverley (I haven't had a service yet but am sure they will follow it).

@editor I would add that the Ideal Logic Installation and maintenance manual INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE LOGIC AIR has a comprehensive guide as to what Ideal expect in section 6.

Simon

Thanks, @simonwig

The thing I like about a checklist like that is that it immediately sets the tone of the work being carried out. If it's your first service, the engineer will probably spend a lot of time not having to do a thing, but him or her saying "this didn't need doing, and nor did that or that" now comes ready packaged with the modifier "...but I did take the trouble to verify it". Any company putting together a sensible list of things to check is already taking a considered and methodical approach as long, of course, as they then follow it. If you get what that document says you'll get then I, in your situation, would be happy to pay that price.

@majordennisbloodnok @editor 

The objective reality is that a heat pump based central heating system can offer superlative efficiency and performance. However that performance is constantly on a knife edge, to use six sigma speak to obtain a satisfactory process capability index it needs to be operating within tightly measured and controlled parameters.

The preventative maintenance schedules I’ve seen are designed to prevent breakdown as opposed to ensuring efficient performance. It would be most insightful to have an episode in which an actual process/design engineer from one of the heat pump manufacturers (or an independent consultant) came on and defined which measuring devices were critical in order to maintain maximal efficiency. My hypothesis being that if, for example, flow temp and flow rate are critical process parameters, then the service should include a check (and/or calibration/replacement) of these sensors, because if they aren’t generating accurate data it’s a physical impossibility that the overall process can be operating efficiently. It’s not that big of a deal, you can obtain simulators to check flow and temp without the need for fancy calibration/metrology. 

The output of the process should drive the maintenance schedule/checklist. Only then would true efficiency be achievable. 

Very good point, @papahuhu.

Posted by: @papahuhu

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@majordennisbloodnok @editor 

The objective reality is that a heat pump based central heating system can offer superlative efficiency and performance. However that performance is constantly on a knife edge, to use six sigma speak to obtain a satisfactory process capability index it needs to be operating within tightly measured and controlled parameters.

The preventative maintenance schedules I’ve seen are designed to prevent breakdown as opposed to ensuring efficient performance. It would be most insightful to have an episode in which an actual process/design engineer from one of the heat pump manufacturers (or an independent consultant) came on and defined which measuring devices were critical in order to maintain maximal efficiency. My hypothesis being that if, for example, flow temp and flow rate are critical process parameters, then the service should include a check (and/or calibration/replacement) of these sensors, because if they aren’t generating accurate data it’s a physical impossibility that the overall process can be operating efficiently. It’s not that big of a deal, you can obtain simulators to check flow and temp without the need for fancy calibration/metrology. 

The output of the process should drive the maintenance schedule/checklist. Only then would true efficiency be achievable. 

The main thing with flow is that it must be sufficient, which is basically dependent on the original plumbing and the state of the filters.  Cleaning out the filters is definitely a regular maintenance item.

Im far from convinced that performance is 'on a knife edge' but, just like mpg in a car, there are several faults that can affect it.  In my old Mondeo, for example, I knew the exhaust was going when my fuel consumption went up, generally before I could hear it.  I think that owners of heat pumps would be well advised to monitor performance, just like owners of cars would be well advised to monitor mpg.  Either tells you a lot.

And yes I agree critical things should be checked at service time, if practical.  This is where a robust checklist comes in.

Do you have any photos or videos documenting heat pump servicing or maintenance.. good or bad?

I’m putting together an upcoming video and I’m keen to use real-world homeowner footage. If you’re happy to share, please send anything you’ve got via WeTransfer to editor@renewableheatinghub.co.uk or DM me.

Thanks in advance… it all helps show what’s actually going on out there.

A video based on heat pump maintenance and servicing posts from these forums, featuring stories from @toodles, @heatpumpnewbie, @downfield and @outlawuk amongst others, and footage of proper heat pump maintenance kindly submitted by @aventus-eco, @ashp-bobba and @jim-l.

@editor And just as a little rider to my experience of servicing through Daikin UK. After the second ‘Annual Service’ had been carried out where not even the cover was lifted off the Daikin Altherma Monobloc heat pump, I complained at length. Eventually Daikin UK agreed to send out an engineer to carry out a ‘Special Service’ free of charge; at least he removed covers, checked mechanical and electrical components but was fighting shy of cleaning the Y strainer as he felt it was ‘inaccessible’. At this point I made it clear to him that this was not acceptable and that the previous engineers who had been sent, had at least managed to clean the filter! He reluctantly struggled with a wrench and did detach and clean the strainer. This year’s servicing is to be carried out by my installer instead - and they have assured me they (unlike Daikin UK) do check and top up the inhibitor if required! Regards, Toodles.