A heat pump service is a routine health check. We clean the filters, inspect the indoor and outdoor units, clear the condensate drain, check electrical connections and measure how well the system is actually heating and cooling. You get a short written report that tells you what we found, what we did and anything worth keeping an eye on.
Servicing is different from a deep clean. A service is preventive maintenance done on a regular cycle. If your unit smells musty, blows out dust or has visible mould on the fan, you need our heat pump cleaning service instead, which strips the indoor unit back and washes the coil and fan barrel. If the unit has stopped heating or is showing an error code, book a repair.
Pricing: every job starts with a free in-home assessment and a written quote, with a fixed price agreed before any work starts.
Mould or a musty smell from the indoor unit? A full strip-down clean is covered under heat pump cleaning.
Unit not working, leaking or showing an error code? See heat pump repairs.
What is included in a heat pump service
Every service follows the same checklist, so nothing is skipped on a busy day. For a standard high wall or floor console unit, a service takes about an hour. Ducted systems take longer because there are return air filters, ceiling outlets and a larger indoor unit to check.
- Remove, wash and dry the indoor filters, and check them for damage
- Inspect the indoor coil and fan for dirt build up and early signs of mould
- Flush the condensate drain tray and line so water drains outside, not down your wall
- Check the outdoor unit: coil condition, fan, mounting, clearances and drainage
- Inspect pipe insulation and wall penetrations for damage or gaps
- Measure supply and return air temperatures in heating and cooling to confirm performance
- Check electrical connections and isolation, and test the remote and any wifi controller
- Written report with photos of anything that needs attention
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
It depends on how hard the unit works. Gen Less, the government's energy efficiency programme, recommends giving your filters a good clean as winter starts and ideally once a month through winter. That part you can do yourself. Consumer NZ suggests DIY cleaning about once a year for light winter use and at least four times a year if you heat and cool through both seasons.
A professional service adds what you cannot do at home: drain flushing, coil inspection, electrical checks and a measured performance test. Consumer NZ treats regular professional servicing as optional for peace of mind on a lightly used unit. For a unit that runs most days, sits in a bedroom, cools through an Auckland summer or is in a rental where you need records, we suggest a professional service every 12 to 24 months. Book before the first cold snap in May, when diaries fill quickly.
How It Works
Signs your heat pump is due for a service
Some warning signs are obvious, others creep up slowly. If any of these sound familiar, a service usually sorts it or tells you exactly what else is needed.
- It takes noticeably longer to warm the room than it used to
- Airflow feels weaker even after you have cleaned the filters
- Water drips from the indoor unit or runs down the wall
- New rattles, buzzing or clicking from either unit
- The outdoor unit is crowded by plants, rubbish or a new fence
- Your power bill has climbed without a change in how you use it
Servicing costs and what it saves
Servicing is quoted free, with a fixed price per unit agreed before we start. Ducted systems, multi-split systems and units that need a ladder platform or roof access are quoted once we know the setup. If you have several units, we service them in one visit so you only pay for one call out.
The saving comes from efficiency and early warning. A blocked filter or dirty coil makes the compressor work harder for the same heat, and a slow drain that is caught early is a ten minute flush rather than a damaged wall. If we find a fault during the service we explain it, give you a price and let you decide. We never carry out extra work without your go ahead. If your unit is old and failing often, we will tell you honestly whether replacement makes more sense.
Servicing in Auckland conditions
Auckland's mild, humid climate is easy on heat pumps in one way and hard in another. Units rarely face hard frosts, but many run in cooling and dry mode over summer, which keeps the indoor coil wet for long periods. A wet coil collects dust and gives mould a place to start, so we pay close attention to the coil and drain on every Auckland job.
Coastal suburbs bring salt air, which corrodes outdoor unit fins and fixings over time. On the Hibiscus Coast, North Shore beaches and East Auckland waterfront, we check the outdoor coil closely and rinse it where needed. In apartments, we check that the outdoor unit still has the airflow clearance it needs on a balcony or plant deck.
Between services: what you can do yourself
Most of the day to day care is simple. Clean the filters regularly with a vacuum or warm water and let them dry before refitting. Keep the outdoor unit clear of plants and anything leaning on it. Water dripping from the outdoor unit is normal; water inside the house is not. EECA suggests setting the heat pump to 18 degrees or above to help fight damp, but below 21 degrees to keep running costs down.
If you see mould on the fins or the fan inside the unit, do not try to scrub it out yourself, as you can spread spores around the room. That is a job for a deep clean.
Why Choose Cheeky's Heat Pumps for Heat Pump Servicing
Same checklist every time
A written checklist for every unit type, so a service is a service, not a quick filter rinse.
Measured, not guessed
We record air temperatures in heating and cooling, so you can see the unit is performing, and compare next year.
Report with photos
You get a short report and photos of anything that needs attention, which is handy for landlords and body corporates.
No surprise extras
Any fault we find is explained and priced first. Nothing extra is done without your approval.
Heat Pump Servicing FAQs
How long does a heat pump service take?
About an hour for a standard high wall or floor console unit. Ducted and multi-split systems take longer depending on the number of outlets and indoor units.
Is a service the same as a deep clean?
No. A service is routine maintenance and includes a filter clean, drain flush, inspections and a performance test. A deep clean removes mould and grime from the coil and fan barrel and is the right choice if the unit smells musty or has visible mould.
Can I just clean the filters myself?
Yes, and you should. Gen Less recommends monthly filter cleaning through winter. A professional service covers the parts you cannot reach and checks that the system is working properly.
Do you service all brands?
Yes. We service the common brands found in Auckland homes, including Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Panasonic, Fujitsu, Samsung and LG. Check your warranty terms, as some manufacturers set their own servicing conditions.
Do landlords need heat pump servicing?
Heating in a rental must be in good working order, and a service record is useful evidence. Many landlords book a service before winter or between tenancies.
What if you find a fault?
We explain it, show you, and give you a price. You decide whether to go ahead. Simple fixes can often be done on the same visit.
Heat Pump Servicing Near You
Find your region or suburb for local heat pump servicing information:
Related Heat Pump Services
Heat Pump Servicing Guides
- How to Clean Your Heat Pump Filter (and When to Call a Pro)
- Best Heat Pump Settings for Winter (and What Dry Mode Does)
- How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Run in NZ?
See the heat pump prices guide or every service we offer.