Working in your garden this summer? Be conscious of your heat pump

Summer’s here and for countless Irish homeowners up and down the country, that means more time to spend planting, pruning and generally pottering in the garden. The rain might come and go but the days are long, temperatures are relatively mild and let’s face it, it’s the best time of year for sprucing up the family patch.

This, then, is the moment to build that planter box; paint fences, walls or shed; create a paved area or deck; build a fire pit or stone barbecue; install a trellis for a feature wall; or simply trim back those plants that have become overgrown. As Rudyard Kipling said, “Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh how beautiful’ and sitting in the shade”! For the thousands of Irish homeowners who have invested in a heat pump system as a way of future-proofing their energy needs, it is important to be mindful of your outdoor unit when tackling certain activities in the garden.

Daikin heat pumps are made here in Europe and are renowned for being durable and long-lasting – certainly longer-lasting than traditional combustion heating systems such as oil or gas boilers – but like any piece of kit, they can be damaged by knocks, bumps or bangs. All the more reason to take extra care when you’re working in the garden this summer.

Here are our top five tips on how to take care of your heat pump when working in the garden this summer.

1. Respect the ‘breathing space’ of your unit

This is as important in the height of summer as it is in the depths of winter. Heat pumps need a free flow of air at all times, so anything blocking that air flow will impede your system’s performance and ultimately increase your running costs.

Always be aware of that ‘breathing space’ your outdoor unit needs to operate at maximum efficiency. Don’t place anything on or directly in front of your outdoor unit that could obstruct the air flow and keep an eye if you are cutting grass, pruning shrubs, or doing anything else that may cause a build-up of organic or other debris.

2. Get advice before any design features

Following on from that last point, there may be a temptation for some homeowners to try and conceal or blend in their outdoor unit. This could involve planting shrubs or hedges around the unit, installing fencing or trellising, or even enclosing the unit with panels or timber cladding.

It’s vital that you consult your heat pump installer before you do anything. As mentioned, anything that obstructs air flow will force your system to work harder – consuming more energy in the process – and could cause the unit to overheat during the warm summer months. Even more seriously, breaching the minimum clearance space around your heat pump could void the terms of your warranty, leading to potentially significant costs if something goes wrong.

If you have a plan to integrate your heat pump into the garden aesthetic, make sure you get clear advice from your local installer on where and how to position anything around the unit.

3. Take care with tools

As with any piece of electrical equipment, you should take care not to cause any physical damage to the outdoor unit when you (or others) are working in the garden. For example, if you are power-washing a wall or driveway, be careful not to direct the hose directly at or even close to the unit in case the powerful jet of water damages a component.

Similarly, if you are working with tools near the heat pump unit, take extra care not to bump or bang the unit, for instance with a strimmer, spade or rake as, again, this could cause physical damage to the casing or other parts.

4. Keep heat at bay

This may seem like an obvious one, but it still needs to be said. Fire, flames and intense heat do not mix well with electrical equipment! If you are installing a fire pit, building a barbeque or setting a fire in your garden, make sure it is well away from your heat pump. Exposure to heat can not only cause significant damage but sparks landing in or on the unit are a serious fire hazard.

5. Always keep an eye on your heat pump

Another piece of all-weather advice is simply to keep an eye on your heat pump. These devices do not require much in the way of homeowner intervention but if you notice a strange sound or odour, or just feel there may be something wrong, contact your local Daikin installer immediately.

As per your warranty (and no different to oil/gas boilers), you must get your heat pump serviced annually by a registered technician. Your installer will likely send you a reminder but ultimately, it’s up to you to make sure this gets done. By staying on top of your annual service and taking good care of your system, you will ensure your heat pump continues to operate at 100% this summer – and all year round.

Thinking about getting a heat pump?

If you are one of the thousands of Irish homeowners thinking about making the switch to a clean, renewable, super-efficient heat pump for your family home, you can browse the range of Daikin heating and hot water solutions here.