Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are fast becoming popular with homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint. To ensure ASHPs run as efficiently as possible, they need to be correctly installed and commissioned. Here, Paul Bailey, Heat Pump Engineer at Baxi, shares a commissioner’s insights that can benefit ASHP installers.
Heat pumps are generally very reliable. So, when issues do arise, they tend to be as a result of a wider system issue, incorrect installation or the wrong settings being used. Like any heating source, ASHPs work at their most efficient when installed correctly in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. This is why accurate commissioning is essential.
The process ensures settings can be optimised to meet customer heating requirements and makes sure the technology is operating at peak capacity. Since the operating principles of heat pumps are still in their infancy and new to many installers, assisted commissioning is a great way to reassure both yourself and your customers that the installed solution will do the best job it can.
Baxi offers assisted commissioning on the first installation to help identify errors and make any necessary corrections. All factory specifications are checked to ensure the system can operate reliably over an extended period and can therefore provide efficiency and energy savings to homeowners. Correct commissioning which includes proper inspection of setup and operation, is a critical step installers should take to mitigate the risk of any potential underperformance when approaching an ASHP installation.
Inspection of setup and operation
Commissioning exists to make sure all factory specifications are adhered to. This includes checking the setup and operation of a system. As part of the initial checks, things like condensate drainage, a solid base and minimum clearances around the appliance should all be checked.
So what exactly should those checks be looking out for? It’s important to note that ASHPs should be positioned close to the property, using minimal pipework and kept within easy access for servicing and maintenance. Sufficient space is also required for the systems to expel cold air out and they should be placed on a solid surface to the manufacturer’s specification.
It is at this point that checks can also be made to ensure the heat pump performs to the specification prescribed by room-by-room heat loss calculations. As long as the system including its radiators and emitters have been accurately sized, the home should feel suitably comfortable, even if those radiators are emitting lower temperatures.
Getting these calculations right allows ASHPs to maximise energy efficiency and lower utility bills. Accurate sizing and installation also means installers can schedule domestic hot water times and temperatures that work for customers.
To make heat loss calculations easier, once an installer completes Baxi’s training course they will receive a three-month subscription to Carno with unlimited projects, free of charge. Carno helps installers to pre-qualify their prospective customers quickly with indicative pricing, using available data and images of the customer’s property without the need for a pre-visit.
Users can complete a full room-by-room heat loss calculation and the app will provide a finalised schedule of equipment including ASHPs, water cylinders and heat emitters from Baxi’s catalogue.
Support and training
To put any installer concerns at ease and make sure systems are working correctly for everyone, Baxi’s heat pump engineers can guide them through the commissioning process from start to finish. This ensures any issues are identified and dealt with early on so the system can carry on operating efficiently.
For those installers who wish to become more familiar with the installation process and qualified to install the systems, they can also benefit from Baxi’s full suite of ASHP training courses. From understanding how air source heat pumps work to designing, installing and commissioning them, the programmes assist installers at every level of experience to work comfortably and efficiently with the technology.
Additionally, to support those who qualify as a Baxi Heat Pump Installer with an extra incentive, installers can receive £600 cashback on their first three eligible installations of Baxi HP-40 ASHPs before 6 January 2025. To claim the cashback, heat pumps must be registered through Baxi works and an assisted commissioning with a Baxi Engineer must be completed on the first installation if an installer has not already done so previously.
