Warning for air heat pump users | Trade magazine

Hot summer weather has been forecast for the southern parts of Finland this weekend.

Near Tapiola home insurance development manager Timo Ekholm reminds that the risk of damage to air heat pumps increases in the heat, when the devices are running at full power.

According to the insurance company, during last summer’s record-long heat period, three times the amount of damage related to air source heat pumps was reported compared to the usual summer season.

Water may accumulate in the indoor unit of air source heat pumps, which can flow inside and cause water damage. Ekholm says that condensation forms in the device during cooling. If the water is not able to drain properly through the pipes, considerable damage can result.

“So it’s worth checking at the beginning of the hot season that water is dripping from the outlet pipe and that the water is channeled unhindered into the ground or the drain – not, for example, into the wall of the building,” says Ekholm.

According to him, the risk of damage is also reduced by regular basic cleaning of the filter, which can be done yourself using a vacuum cleaner. The pump should be cleaned at least once a month, as a filter clogged with dust reduces the pump’s efficiency. The grill of the outdoor unit should also be cleaned regularly.

Ekholm reminds us that continuous cooling increases unnecessary energy consumption if the home is empty for long periods of time, for example when camping or on holiday.

“Natural cooling can be improved by keeping the curtains or blinds closed during the hottest time. At the same time, it is good to take care of the safety of the home in general and that the home looks lived in,” sums up Ekholm.

Not everyone can afford it

According to Lähi-Tapiola’s Arje katsaus survey, warm summers have caused about half of Finns to invest in cooling or other measures in some way.

More than a fifth have acquired an air heat pump for their home and almost a fifth a portable cooling device.

“Due to the hot summers, those who took measures reported that they had spent varying amounts of money, but on average 1,500 euros had been spent on the measures, says Ekholm.

According to the survey, 15 percent of Finns say that they have not taken measures due to the warm summers for financial reasons.

In other words, not everyone can afford and have the opportunity to invest in cooling.

“For example, someone living on rent in an old apartment building does not necessarily have this opportunity. In the future, cooling issues may come to be considered in everyday life by more people than at present due to climate change,” Ekholm estimates.