Heat pumps are having a moment. According to government figures released in March 2026, a 7% rise on the previous year and more than four times the number installed in 2020. Air source heat pumps made up 99% of those. If you have recently had a heat pump installation or have been running one for a few years, one question comes up time and again: how often does it actually need servicing? The honest answer is straightforward, but there are a few things worth understanding before you book your next visit from a heating engineer.

The Simple Answer: Once a Year

That said, low-maintenance does not mean no-maintenance. Skipping annual source heat pump servicing chips away at efficiency and can shorten the working life of a system that, when well looked after, should run reliably for 15 to 25 years.

In February 2025, the Heat Pump Association (HPA) published updated Annual Service Checklists, outlining the minimum recommended checks for air-to-water heat pump systems. These benchmarks are there to standardise what a professional service should include and give homeowners confidence in what they are paying for.

When More Frequent Checks Make Sense

For most homes, one annual service is enough. There are, however, a handful of situations where more regular attention is worthwhile:

• Your heat pump system handles both heating and hot water year-round under heavy, continuous use.
• The system is over 10 years old. Older units are more likely to develop minor faults that benefit from early detection.
• Your home is in a location prone to heavy leaf fall or airborne debris, such as properties on the edge of the National Forest near Coalville, where seasonal build-up around the outdoor unit occurs more quickly.
• Your manufacturer’s warranty terms require more than one inspection per year. Always check your documentation.

What Does an Air Source Heat Pump Service Include?

A proper service is more than a quick visual inspection. When a qualified heating engineer visits, the work should cover:

• Full visual inspection of both indoor and outdoor units for wear, corrosion or physical damage.
• Cleaning the outdoor unit: removing debris, leaves and dirt from coils and fins.
• Checking and cleaning air filters.
• Inspecting refrigerant levels and testing for leaks in any refrigerant work requires an F-Gas-certified engineer.
• Testing electrical connections, sensors and safety controls.
• Checking the thermostat and controls are calibrated correctly.
• Assessing overall heat pump running performance against expected output levels.
• Checking heating and hot water delivery.
• Listening for unusual noises or vibrations during operation.

The HPA checklist also covers checking fluid levels in the heating circuit, bleeding radiators where needed, and documenting the service for long-term warranty purposes. If you have a ground-source heat pump rather than an air-source model, the same annual principles apply, though the underground loop adds a further set of checks.

Why Regular Servicing Matters More Than You Might Think

Warranty protection 

Most manufacturers require annual servicing by a qualified engineer to keep the product guarantee valid. Miss a service, and you could find yourself without cover at exactly the wrong moment.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme compliance

If your heat pump was installed using the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (currently £7,500 for eligible homes in England and Wales), keeping a signed service log is part of maintaining compliance during the grant protection period.

Efficiency

A neglected heat pump can lose up to 25% of its operating efficiency within a year. That loss translates directly to higher electricity bills. Keeping the coefficient of performance (COP) at its rated level is one of the clearest financial reasons to stay on top of servicing.

Long-term savings

Catching a refrigerant leak or worn component early costs far less than an emergency call-out mid-winter. The same logic that applies to regular gas boiler or oil boiler services applies equally here.

What You Can Do Between Annual Services

There is a useful distinction between a professional service and the basic maintenance any homeowner can carry out. Between annual visits, keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, grass cuttings and any debris that has built up around the casing. Make sure there is adequate space around the unit for airflow.

Inside, check that accessible filters are not blocked, and make sure your thermostat and controls reflect your current usage. If you notice unusual noises, a drop in heating output, or an unexplained rise in electricity bills, do not wait for the scheduled service call a heating engineer.

How Does This Compare to a Gas Boiler or Oil Boiler?

This comes up regularly, particularly for homeowners in Burton and Swadlincote, weighing the switch from a gas boiler or oil boiler setup. A gas boiler also needs an annual service and, in many cases, requires more attention due to the risks associated with combustion appliances. Oil boiler services follow a similar annual pattern but often include nozzle replacements and filter changes, in addition to the standard checks.

Air source heat pumps are generally simpler to service, and with no combustion involved, there is no equivalent of a gas safety check. However, the presence of refrigerant means that any work involving those components must be carried out only by an F-Gas-certified professional. Plumbing and heating companies operating in this space should hold the relevant certifications before touching refrigerant circuits.

Choosing the Right Engineer

Whoever services your heat pump should hold current F-Gas certification. Keep records of every visit, including the engineer’s name, date, work carried out, and any findings from day one. This log protects your warranty, supports any future sale of the property, and gives you a clear picture of your system’s health over time.

Book Your Annual Heat Pump Service with Lonsdale Plumbing & Heating

Our qualified heating engineers work across Hinckley, Leicester, Burton, Swadlincote and Coalville, covering all aspects of domestic plumbing and heating from air source pump servicing and heat pump installation to gas boiler maintenance and oil boiler services. Whether this is your first annual service or you are overdue for a check, we make booking straightforward, with no hidden costs or jargon.

Lonsdale Plumbing & Heating

Website: www.lonsdale-plumbing.co.uk

Call Us: 0714532991

Your heat pump is one of the most efficient investments you can make in your home’s heating system. A single annual service is a small commitment to protect that investment for the long term.