Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Maintenance Checklist
Keep your ground source heat pump running efficiently — ground-loop and glycol checks, circulator and refrigerant verification, flow temperatures, and controls optimisation.
What is a ground source heat pump maintenance checklist?
A ground source heat pump (gshp) maintenance checklist is a structured list of the 10 preventive maintenance tasks — covering visual, functional, safety and record-keeping checks — that keep a ground source heat pump (gshp) running safely and reliably. It groups routine checks by frequency, from daily inspections to annual servicing, so FM teams and building engineers can plan and evidence preventive maintenance.
Core ground source heat pump checks
- Inspect strainers and any heat exchangers for fouling
- Check ground loop pressure and top up the water/glycol mix as needed
- Carry out F-Gas leak checks as required by the refrigerant charge
- Record performance, ground-loop pressure, glycol, and F-Gas data in the log
What is a ground source heat pump (gshp)?
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) extracts heat from the ground via buried collector loops (horizontal arrays or vertical boreholes) carrying a water/glycol mix, upgrading it through a refrigerant circuit for heating and hot water. GSHPs offer high, stable efficiency because ground temperatures are steadier than air, but they depend on a healthy ground loop, correct glycol concentration and pressure, and well-tuned controls. Like all heat pumps they contain refrigerant and fall under the F-Gas Regulations. Maintenance focuses on the ground loop, the circulators, the refrigerant circuit, and flow-temperature optimisation.
This checklist is one of 15 in our heating maintenance checklists, covering boilers, calorifiers, heat exchangers, heat pumps and flues — combustion, controls and hot water safety checks.
Typical Ground Source Heat Pump maintenance checklist
A practical starting point for planned preventive maintenance. Always refer to the manufacturer's O&M manual and site-specific requirements.
Visual Checks
- Inspect strainers and any heat exchangers for fouling
Functional Checks
- Check ground loop pressure and top up the water/glycol mix as needed
- Verify glycol concentration and inhibitor condition for freeze/corrosion protection
- Inspect ground loop and source-side circulators for operation and leaks
- Verify refrigerant circuit performance — pressures, superheat, subcooling
- Check source-side flow and return temperatures are within expected range
- Confirm flow temperatures on the heating side are optimised (lower is better)
- Verify controls, weather compensation, and setpoints
Safety Checks
- Carry out F-Gas leak checks as required by the refrigerant charge
Record Keeping
- Record performance, ground-loop pressure, glycol, and F-Gas data in the log
Download the free Ground Source Heat Pump maintenance checklist PDF
Get all 10 tasks as a printable PDF — free, no signup needed. Keep a copy in the plant room, attach it to work orders, or share it with your maintenance contractor.
Typical maintenance frequency
Suggested intervals for ground source heat pump (gshp) maintenance. Actual frequencies should follow manufacturer guidance and site-specific risk assessments.
Annually
- •Full service and F-Gas leak check
- •Ground loop pressure and glycol test
- •Circulator and strainer check
- •Refrigerant performance and controls optimisation
Common faults and issues
Issues to be aware of when maintaining ground source heat pump (gshp) equipment.
Safety and compliance notes
Key safety considerations for ground source heat pump (gshp) maintenance. This is general guidance only — always follow OEM instructions, statutory requirements, and your organisation's safe systems of work.
Reference standards and frameworks
- United Kingdom
- SFG20, CIBSE Guide M, and Gas Safe requirements for gas-fired plant
- North America
- ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180, plus ASME CSD-1 for automatically fired boilers
Frameworks commonly referenced when planning ground source heat pump maintenance programmes. Always confirm the requirements that apply to your site and jurisdiction.
Managing Ground Source Heat Pump documentation with PM Assist
PM Assist helps FM and building operations teams search their O&M manuals and building drawings in seconds. Upload your ground source heat pump (gshp) documentation and ask questions like “What is the ground loop pressure and glycol concentration?” or “What flow temperature is the GSHP set to?” — and get source-cited answers instantly.
See PM Assist answer questions about a real ground source heat pump manual — try the live demo, no signup needed.
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Further reading on ground source heat pump maintenance
Compliance topics for ground source heat pump maintenance
Frequently asked questions
How efficient is a ground source heat pump?
What maintenance does the ground loop need?
Do ground source heat pumps need F-Gas checks?
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