Pontefract, WEST YORKSHIRE, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heat pump breakdowns jump 250% as homeowners get ready for winter
Heat pump repair
Heat pump owners are being urged to get their systems checked before winter after a UK servicing company recorded a 250% rise in breakdowns compared with the same week last year.
The warning comes as more and more households across the UK turn to air source heat pumps for their heating and hot water.
UK Heat Pump Servicing saw breakdowns increase by 250% between 1 and 7 September 2026, compared with the same period in 2025.
The company says the rise is a timely reminder for homeowners to think about their heating systems before temperatures start to drop.
“It’s a pretty big increase, particularly this early in September,” said Myles Robinson, Sales Manager for UK Heat Pump Servicing.
“People are starting to think about heating again after the summer, and that’s often when problems that have been sitting unnoticed suddenly become obvious.
“The last thing anyone wants is to find out their heat pump isn’t working properly when it’s freezing outside.”
More homes are switching to heat pumps
The number of heat pumps being installed in the UK has been growing steadily.
Figures show that 45,880 applications were made through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme during 2025/26, up 19% on the previous year.
More than 31,000 low-carbon heating systems were installed through the scheme, and air source heat pumps accounted for 97.6% of grants paid.
That means there are now many more households relying on heat pumps through the winter months.
And as the number of installations grows, so does the need for engineers who can look after those systems once they’re up and running.
Don’t wait for the first cold snap
September is a good time for homeowners to think about their heating system.
After spending much of the summer running less frequently, a heat pump can suddenly be asked to work much harder as temperatures fall.
A problem that isn’t obvious during the summer can quickly become a major headache once the heating is running every day.
UK Heat Pump Servicing recommends homeowners arrange their annual service before winter rather than waiting for something to go wrong.
“It’s much easier to deal with a small problem when you’ve got time to sort it out,” said Myles Robinson.
“If a system breaks down in the middle of winter, you’re suddenly looking for an engineer when lots of other people are doing exactly the same thing.
“Getting it checked beforehand gives homeowners some peace of mind.”
What can homeowners do?
There are a few simple things heat pump owners can do before winter arrives.
An annual service can give an engineer the opportunity to check the system, look for developing faults and make sure everything is operating as it should.
Homeowners should also make sure the outdoor unit isn’t blocked by leaves, plants or other debris and shouldn’t ignore unusual noises, error messages or a noticeable drop in performance.
And, perhaps most importantly, it’s worth knowing who to call if something does go wrong.
A new challenge for the UK’s heat pump industry
The government’s push towards low-carbon heating means the number of heat pumps in UK homes is likely to continue growing.
But the focus isn’t just going to be on installing them.
Once those systems are in people’s homes, they need to be serviced and repaired just like any other heating equipment.
“The industry has spent a lot of time talking about getting more heat pumps installed, which is obviously important,” said Myles Robinson.
“But we’re now seeing the other side of it.
“These are people’s heating systems. They need looking after, and homeowners need to know they can get help when something goes wrong.
“Our 250% increase in breakdowns over the first week of September is a good example of why it’s worth thinking about this before winter rather than after a breakdown.”
With winter approaching, the advice from UK Heat Pump Servicing is straightforward: if you haven’t had your heat pump serviced recently, now is a good time to get it checked — before you need it most.
Air source heat pump
About UK Heat Pump Servicing
UK Heat Pump Servicing offer air source heat pump servicing and repairs across the UK. Choose from monthly plans or one off annual heat pump service options.
Press Inquiries
Myles Robinson
hello [at] essheo.com
https://ukheatpumpservicing.co.uk/
