Support for your Air Source Heat Pump

An air source heat pump works more effectively and efficiently when it is maintaining desired temperatures and not recovering heat lost from the property. Heat pumps are therefore designed to operate continually using a cycle of “energised periods” and “setback periods”.

No, your heat pump should not be turned off at night – instead, your heat pump should be set to operate during a demand and setback cycles.

Heat pumps will work at around -15ºC to -20ºC however a heat pump works best when the temperature is above 3 ºC or 4 ºC. When the temperature drops below 3 ºC, heat pumps operate less efficiently and will consume more energy.

No. An air source heat pump works more effectively and efficiently when it is maintaining desired temperatures and not recovering heat lost from the property meaning they are designed to operate continually during cold periods. Heat pumps should not therefore be switched off. Heat pumps are designed to suitably heat your property to a specified outdoor temperature - should the outdoor temperature fall below this system design temperature, there may be a need for supplementary heating. Alternatively, when using a heat pump in outdoor temperatures closer to freezing, then your thermostat timings should be altered to prevent any prolonged periods when the unit is not producing any heat.

Air source heat pump systems operate differently to traditional boilers as they are not designed to provide space heating and hot water at the same time. 

Grant’s Aerona³ air source heat pumps feature an in-built 'Defrost' function which automatically operates to assist the heat pump when external temperatures drop below 0˚C. In brief, the defrost cycle reverses the heat pump's operation to direct hot refrigerant vapour back into the ice covered evaporator causing any ice to melt.

Caring for an air source heat pump is quite simple and looking after your Grant air source heat pump is straightforward. There are some steps, such as visual checks, that homeowners can follow to maintain a heat pump and help it to perform most efficiently. You are advised to regularly check that the air inlet grill and evaporator are free of leaves and debris and, in addition to this, the heat pump will need to be serviced on an annual basis, just like a traditional boiler. 

Grant heat pumps should be serviced annually. Failure to do so will invalidate the product guarantee.

No. Your Grant air source heat pump should be serviced annually by a heating professional who is a competent heat pump service engineer. To find local heat pump service engineers in your area, please visit www.grantuk.com/support/find-an-installer.

Your Grant heat pump should be serviced annually and this can either be carried out by the heating engineer who installed your heat pump or by another competent heat pump service engineer. You can use Grant UK’s online engineer search to find local heat pump service engineers in your area. Alternatively, you can use Grant UK’s ServicePlan.

The typical life expectancy of an air source heat pump would be between 10-15 years, provided the unit is installed and commissioned correctly and regularly maintained with an annual service.

The refrigerant in an air source heat pump should not require replacing unless a leak is detected. If, during the annual service for example, a refrigerant leak is identified, this can only be remedied by a qualified engineer. Under no circumstances should the refrigerant be vented from the charging points on the refrigerant circuit of the heat pump and if any work is required to be carried out on the refrigerant circuit it MUST be undertaken by an F-GAS Registered Engineer.

The best way to operate your heat pump efficiently and effectively is to make sure all external doors and windows are closed. This ensures that the heated air stays inside the property and maintains your desired temperature. It is important to note that it is still very important to ventilate your property so we encourage you to intermittently open windows for short periods, or to use trickle ventilation facilities if available.

The SCOP means Seasonal Coefficient of Performance which is a way of measuring the true energy efficiency of heating and cooling technology over an entire year. This measure gives a more realistic indication of the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a system. This is indicated as a ratio for energy required to run the heat pump compared to the amount of energy being produced by the heat pump for typical day to day use. A heat pump with a SCOP of 4 means that for every 1kW of energy used to run the heat pump, 4kW will be produced.

Weather compensation is a way of modifying the heating system output according to the temperature outside by simultaneously monitoring indoor and outdoor temperatures. The water used to heat your property within the heating system will become hotter if the outside temperature declines, and vice versa.

Weather compensation regulates and maintains an optimum flow temperature which can help prevent changes in the heat pump’s functioning. It prevents the appliance starting up or shutting off when a property is too hot or too cold.

We do not recommend painting an air source heat pump. However, some companies provide a wrapping service which can cover a Grant air source heat pump with a durable material that incorporates a pattern or colour which is more in-keeping with the local surrounds. We would suggest contacting your local installer to discuss this further as it important than any wrap or covering put on the heat pump does not impair its operation.

Where electricity is the only energy source used, a change to the electricity tariff might be possible enabling the heat pump to run more economically. It is always worth enquiring with your energy provider, as depending upon your electricity demand, they may have a plan that is more suitable e.g. Economy 10.