Heat pump servicing: signs it's due and what you can do yourself

A heat pump is a hard-working appliance, and like a car it runs better with a little regular care. Most of that care is quick and easy. The rest is a yearly service that keeps it efficient and catches small problems early.

Signs your heat pump needs a service

• A musty or damp smell when it starts. Usually a dirty coil or drain where moisture and dust have built up.
• Water dripping from the indoor unit. Often a blocked condensate drain.
• Weaker airflow than it used to have, even on high.
• Not heating or cooling like it did, or taking much longer to reach temperature.
• New noises: rattles, clicks, buzzing or a hum that wasn't there before.
• Higher power bills for the same use.

Heat pump cleaning you can do yourself

1. Turn the unit off at the remote, and switch it off at the isolator if you can.
2. Lift the front panel of the indoor unit; it usually hinges up.
3. Slide the filters out. They're the mesh screens across the front.
4. Vacuum them, or rinse them in lukewarm water. No hot water or harsh cleaners.
5. Let them dry completely in the shade, then slide them back in and close the panel.

Every few weeks while the heat pump is working hard is a good routine; more often with pets or dust. While you're at it, clear leaves and clutter away from the outdoor unit.

Leave the rest to a professional. The coil, fan, drain, electrical connections and refrigerant side shouldn't be opened up at home.

What a professional service includes

• Filters, indoor coil and fan cleaned to clear dust and mould build-up.
• Condensate drain checked and flushed so it runs freely.
• Outdoor unit inspected and its coil cleaned.
• Electrical connections and controls checked.
• The system run and checked so it's heating and cooling the way it should.
• Anything that needs attention explained to you before any work is done.

How often?

For most homes, once a year, ideally before winter so it's ready for the cold. Units in dusty places, busy commercial spaces or homes with lots of pets can benefit from more frequent servicing. Some manufacturers' warranties also expect regular maintenance, so keep your service records.

Heat pump servicing across the Waikato

We service Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, Fujitsu, Haier, AHI Carrier and other major brands across Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia and the wider Waikato, as well as Auckland. That covers high-wall and floor units, multi-room and ducted systems, selected ventilation systems and commercial air conditioning, plus repairs and fault finding when something isn't right.

We service all major brands, including systems we didn't install.