Air Source Heat Pump external pipework positioning

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
May 24, 2023
17 replies
3061 views

I bought my house 5 years ago. There seem to be issues with the installation. First there was no insulation on the external pipework. Now I’ve been told (by a different company) that the pipes attached to the unit should not be lying on the ground (half buried) but raised and clipped to the wall. It’s going to cost a bit of money and I’d like to know if this gentleman is correct with his observations.

Any comments appreciated.

Best answer by juliamc

Updated on 16/02/26 by Abby_OVO

You need someone who knows what they’re doing. That insulation is rubbish. Go on the Heat Geek website https://www.heatgeek.com/find-a-heat-geek/.

With any luck there’ll be someone in your area who has done proper training and can take on your system. I’m nothing to do with heat geek btw, I’m just a heat pump owner who’s read around the subject, there’s a lot of stuff online if you want to investigate further.

Also please share how you’re getting on with the heat pump since you moved in. They are great, but not always installed properly. Things can be improved though !

Want to find out more? The topic below might be of interest to you:

BPLightlog

Super User

You might want to look on the Smart Home part of the forum @elisabethz59

https://forum.ovoenergy.com/my-smart-home-138

there are several users with ASHP’s

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}

juliamc

Rank 20

Can you post some photos of the outdoor unit and the pipe work please. It would be useful to know if it’s heating your house and hot water adequately and what the costs are like. Do you know what COP (coefficient of performance) it’s getting? The pipe work definitely does need insulation, if your system is a monobloc (ie the pipes contain the same water that goes around your radiators or ufh) it should be 25mm uv protected and waterproofed, eg within trunking. It could be buried underground but would need the appropriate insulation for that situation. Do you have the details of the original installer?

N

Nick Challacombe

Rank 8

I have a large air source heat pump a Grant which was fitted not by a heating enginerr but a plumber. We had to move the pipes upward and insulate them. We have the pump serviced every year, I would advise you get an installer qualifies for fitting your make of heat pump to give it an annual service and check it over.

E

elisabethz59Author

Rank 2

I am now on the 3rd ‘qualified’ installer, got him from Check a Trade. Yes I service mine every year too.

As you can see the pipes are on the ground, one so poorly placed that it’s impossible to insulate it in its current location.

E

elisabethz59Author

Rank 2

juliamcSolved

Rank 20

Updated on 16/02/26 by Abby_OVO

You need someone who knows what they’re doing. That insulation is rubbish. Go on the Heat Geek website https://www.heatgeek.com/find-a-heat-geek/.

With any luck there’ll be someone in your area who has done proper training and can take on your system. I’m nothing to do with heat geek btw, I’m just a heat pump owner who’s read around the subject, there’s a lot of stuff online if you want to investigate further.

Also please share how you’re getting on with the heat pump since you moved in. They are great, but not always installed properly. Things can be improved though !

Want to find out more? The topic below might be of interest to you: