Maintenance schedules

Regular maintenance protects efficiency, helps spot faults early, and can keep warranties valid. This page is a practical guide to the checks households commonly need, but it does not replace the manufacturer’s servicing requirements.

Quick rules that apply to most systems

  • Keep records of servicing, commissioning, and any fault codes.
  • Use qualified professionals for electrical, refrigerant, or sealed-system work.
  • Check warranties to see which inspections are mandatory.
  • If performance drops suddenly, investigate instead of waiting for the next annual service.

Heat pumps

Homeowner checks

  • Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, snow, weeds, and stored items.
  • Check that airflow is not blocked and that condensate can drain freely.
  • Review filters, controller schedules, and error notifications.

Professional servicing

  • Arrange periodic servicing in line with the manufacturer and installer guidance.
  • Ask the engineer to review system pressures, controls, flow temperatures, and defrost performance.
  • If bills rise or comfort worsens, ask for a commissioning check rather than only a basic service.

Solar PV

Routine checks

  • Review inverter or monitoring-app alerts regularly.
  • Look for sudden drops in generation compared with similar weather.
  • Visually inspect for obvious shading changes, bird activity, or damage if it is safe to do so.

When to call a professional

  • repeated inverter faults
  • damaged cabling or isolators
  • unexplained generation loss
  • roof or mounting concerns

Home batteries

  • Keep batteries in a location that matches the manufacturer’s temperature and ventilation guidance.
  • Review the battery app or dashboard for state-of-health warnings and unusual charge or discharge behaviour.
  • Ask for professional help if you see persistent error codes, swelling, overheating, or unusual noises.

EV chargers

  • Check the unit, cable, and connector for wear or heat damage.
  • Keep firmware updated if the manufacturer recommends it.
  • Investigate repeated tripping, charging interruptions, or tethered-cable locking issues promptly.

Smart controls and monitoring

  • Review schedules after tariff changes, seasons, or occupancy changes.
  • Replace batteries in room thermostats or sensors when needed.
  • Check that internet-connected controls are still reporting correctly after router or provider changes.

Seasonal checklist

Before winter

  • Confirm heating schedules and hot-water timings still suit your household.
  • Make sure the outdoor heat-pump unit is clear and drainage paths are open.
  • Check insulation hatches, draught seals, and radiator bleeding where relevant.

During spring and summer

  • Compare solar output against the same period last year if you have historical data.
  • Review battery schedules and export settings if your tariff changes.
  • Test EV charger functionality before a long journey rather than on the day of travel.

Signs you should not ignore

  • a sudden rise in energy use
  • repeated breaker trips or fault codes
  • water leaks, ice build-up, or poor drainage
  • unusual noise, smell, or vibration
  • comfort problems after settings have not changed

Written by NetZeroNow Editorial Team | Last updated on 2026-03-30