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Questions and comments about annual heat pump maintenance and servicing

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(@hughf)
Noble Member Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 487
 

Posted by: @editor

As part of your services, did they check the refrigerant levels?

I don't think that checking refrigerant levels is common practice for annual servicing but given how important it is to the heat pump, I wonder why it's not checked.

it’s very difficult to measure the charge, it is weighed in when filled at the factory. And there aren’t anywhere near enough f gas qualified technicians. That’s why everyone fits monoblocs.

 

Off grid on the isle of purbeck
2.4kW solar, 15kWh Seplos Mason, Outback power systems 3kW inverter/charger, solid fuel heating with air/air for shoulder months, 10 acres of heathland/woods.

My wife’s house: 1946 3 bed end of terrace in Somerset, ASHP with rads + UFH, triple glazed, retrofit IWI in troublesome rooms, small rear extension.


   
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(@derek-m)
Illustrious Member Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 4429
 

Posted by: @hughf

Posted by: @editor

As part of your services, did they check the refrigerant levels?

I don't think that checking refrigerant levels is common practice for annual servicing but given how important it is to the heat pump, I wonder why it's not checked.

it’s very difficult to measure the charge, it is weighed in when filled at the factory. And there aren’t anywhere near enough f gas qualified technicians. That’s why everyone fits monoblocs.

 

I remember watching an American video some time ago, where the Technician measured either temperatures, pressures or both on the heat pump unit, that indicated if there was sufficient refrigerant gas in the system.

 


   
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(@kundk)
Trusted Member Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 19
Topic starter  

Well, these days practically any garage can fill air conditioners in cars. Therefore drain, measure and fill gas in them.

It's surely not that complicated.


   
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(@hughf)
Noble Member Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 487
 

Posted by: @derek-m

Posted by: @hughf

Posted by: @editor

As part of your services, did they check the refrigerant levels?

I don't think that checking refrigerant levels is common practice for annual servicing but given how important it is to the heat pump, I wonder why it's not checked.

it’s very difficult to measure the charge, it is weighed in when filled at the factory. And there aren’t anywhere near enough f gas qualified technicians. That’s why everyone fits monoblocs.

 

I remember watching an American video some time ago, where the Technician measured either temperatures, pressures or both on the heat pump unit, that indicated if there was sufficient refrigerant gas in the system.

 

Yea, you can do it by measuring the temps and pressures at certain points of the system. Then you calculate what the correct values would be for the factory gas charge. Or at least I think that’s what you do.

Off grid on the isle of purbeck
2.4kW solar, 15kWh Seplos Mason, Outback power systems 3kW inverter/charger, solid fuel heating with air/air for shoulder months, 10 acres of heathland/woods.

My wife’s house: 1946 3 bed end of terrace in Somerset, ASHP with rads + UFH, triple glazed, retrofit IWI in troublesome rooms, small rear extension.


   
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(@tufty)
Estimable Member Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 54
 

Hi,

Im looking to have my ASHP serviced and looking around for prices. Ive been quoted £250 (plus vat) for a service. Does that sound about average?

Also, how long are Mitsubishi ASHP parts warranty for? 5 years?

Thanks

 


   
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Mars
 Mars
(@editor)
Illustrious Member Admin
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3130
 

@tufty, have a look above in this thread. Your price is about average for a one-off visit. Warranties on heat pumps aren’t clear - other Ecodan owners may have insights.

Buy Bodge Buster – Homeowner Air Source Heat Pump Installation Guide: https://amzn.to/3NVndlU
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(@brooster)
Eminent Member Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 15
 

My standard Ecodan warranty was 3 years from commissioning date and installer suggested I buy extended warranty (which I did) to cover 7 years


   
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(@allyfish)
Noble Member Contributor
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 484
 

@hughf refrigerant charge quantity is critical. The best place to charge the unit is in the factory when built, where equipment is calibrated and controlled and very thorough leak detection can be carried out prior to charging. Monoblocs have a very small refrigerant quantity requirement and, because they are outside, flammable refrigerants such as R290 propane can be used rather than R32. Many ASHP service engineers who have transitioned from the Gas Safe fired boiler side of the heating industry won't be F-Gas registered, so cannot touch a monobloc refrigeration circuit. Every time a refrigerant manifold is connected to the HP and LP sides, and then disconnected, there's a slight refrigerant vapour loss.


   
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(@hughf)
Noble Member Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 487
 

@allyfish your point being?

Off grid on the isle of purbeck
2.4kW solar, 15kWh Seplos Mason, Outback power systems 3kW inverter/charger, solid fuel heating with air/air for shoulder months, 10 acres of heathland/woods.

My wife’s house: 1946 3 bed end of terrace in Somerset, ASHP with rads + UFH, triple glazed, retrofit IWI in troublesome rooms, small rear extension.


   
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(@hughf)
Noble Member Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 487
 

Posted by: @kundk

Well, these days practically any garage can fill air conditioners in cars. Therefore drain, measure and fill gas in them.

It's surely not that complicated.

Completely different set of regulations covering the automotive application of F-gas…. So different that you don’t need to be f-gas registered to work on automotive AC systems.

 

Off grid on the isle of purbeck
2.4kW solar, 15kWh Seplos Mason, Outback power systems 3kW inverter/charger, solid fuel heating with air/air for shoulder months, 10 acres of heathland/woods.

My wife’s house: 1946 3 bed end of terrace in Somerset, ASHP with rads + UFH, triple glazed, retrofit IWI in troublesome rooms, small rear extension.


   
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(@kev-m)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 1276
 

Posted by: @tufty

Hi,

Im looking to have my ASHP serviced and looking around for prices. Ive been quoted £250 (plus vat) for a service. Does that sound about average?

Also, how long are Mitsubishi ASHP parts warranty for? 5 years?

Thanks

 

Mine is 5 years if serviced every year.

 


   
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(@tufty)
Estimable Member Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 54
 

@mjr  I dont suppose you know if there is an online record anywhere of the service history? My (now ex!) partner was responsible for getting the ASHP serviced (while I focused on everything else involving a full property renovation).

I cant find a 'commissioning document', but I do have a Handover document, although no mention of service history.

I guess - if I cant find a record of annual services performed - it will void my Mitsubishi warrantee. Will it also impact on my RHI payments? Im really concerned now.


   
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