If you’re looking to reduce your energy bills and make your home more environmentally friendly, a hot water heat pump might be the right choice for you. But can you install one yourself, or do you need to call in a professional?
The short answer is that it depends. It’s generally not recommended for homeowners to attempt to install a hot water heat pump themselves due to the complexity of the job and the tools and knowledge required. Professional installation is strongly advised when it comes to this type of system.
Let’s look at why hiring a professional is likely the best option. Hot water heat pumps require specialised tools, experience and knowledge in order to ensure they are installed correctly and safely. Not only do they require electrical wiring, but they also need plumbing work depending on your current hot water system setup. This means that installing a heat pump requires knowledge of both electrical and plumbing systems. If these are not done properly, it could result in significant problems such as leaks or even worse – an electrical fire hazard! On top of that, if something does go wrong with the installation, most manufacturers will not honour any warranty unless it was installed professionally by a qualified technician.
Another reason to hire a professional is that a heat pump installer will be able to advise you on the best model for your needs and provide any additional services such as helping you set up your system for maximum efficiency or advising on insulation materials for better performance. They will also be able to help with any ongoing maintenance needs like servicing or repairs so that you get maximum life out of your new system.
So although installing a hot water heat pump yourself may seem like an attractive option due to potential savings in labour costs, it’s generally not recommended due to the risks involved and the knowledge required. It’s much better (and safer) to hire a qualified technician who can ensure everything is done right first time round so that you can enjoy all the benefits of having an efficient and safe hot water system without any hiccups along the way.