Heat Pump Installation, Servicing & Maintenance in Bristol, Bath & Gloucester

Geothermal pumps take their heat from the earth. These systems are generally more powerful, efficient and reliable than air source alternatives, because underground heat energy is far more consistent than ambient air, which is more thermally volatile as the seasons change. Some ground-based systems can even generate enough energy to double as a water heater. The main drawback is a higher upfront cost: geothermal pumps are sophisticated systems, and utility providers typically have to drill anywhere from 4 to 100 metres underground, requiring specialised tools for proper installation.

Air source pumps are smaller, sleeker machines usually installed outside buildings and homes. They’re the cheapest type of heat pump, which makes them popular with homeowners, but that convenience comes with a tradeoff in efficiency: most air source units are only around half as efficient as ground-based pumps. Being located outside and exposed to the elements also makes them more prone to damage and in need of more frequent maintenance.

Thermal comfort should be a given in any workplace, and is actually required by law. In reality, a great number of uncomfortable employees waste a collective 2% of office hours every day due to poor temperature control at work, costing the economy an estimated £13 billion a year. An efficient heat pump maintains a steady temperature, reducing energy bills and increasing workforce productivity. Heat pumps are the standard in many developed countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the United States, and the UK government offers several programmes to encourage their use, including the Renewable Heat Incentive. Heat pumps are also highly customised systems with no one-size-fits-all solution, so professional installation prevents costly mis-fitted replacements.

There are a few minor fixes that someone comfortable with home repairs can handle. Changing filters on air source heat pumps is typically a matter of swapping them out, and you can dust around the unit to reduce build-up inside the system. However, these machines house many complicated mechanisms, and electrical components can be extremely dangerous. Attempting repairs when you’re not qualified can lead to irreparable damage or serious injury.

Twice a year is recommended. It’s best to book technicians during more temperate seasons, before your heat pump has to work hard cooling or heating your premises once conditions turn extreme. The last thing you want is a malfunctioning heat pump leaving you cold in winter or stranded in the heat of summer.

Switching filters regularly keeps your system running at peak efficiency for longer. Filters typically need changing every two to three months, though households or buildings with pets, or those in busy, dusty urban areas, may need to change them more often. Cleaning the outdoor unit once a month is also good practice, as it stops debris building up and obstructing airflow.

On average, a heat pump should last around 15 years, though the lifespan of your system also depends on factors such as the location of your premises, how often it’s used, and how well it’s maintained. Done right, a well-maintained heat pump’s life expectancy can stretch to 20 years.

Yes, any building can have a heat pump installed. What varies is the complexity of the installation. Heavier renovations may be needed to route pipework in a way that won’t damage the building, though some older buildings are actually well suited to heat pumps thanks to the insulating properties of their brickwork, which causes them to heat up and cool down more slowly. Less volatile thermal conditions mean a heat pump can run more efficiently at constant temperatures.

Some heat pumps can be as noisy as 60dB, about as loud as a normal conversation. Modern machines have sound-dampening features that can bring this down to as low as 40dB, good news for owners in residential areas, where the UK government has set a maximum of 45dB of noise when a heat pump is located within a metre of a neighbouring property’s window.