Expert Reports on Heat Pump Damage
Compressor, inverter, controls: we separate wear from external influence, and primary damage from consequential damage.
With heat pumps, surge is frequently reported although the compressor is simply worn out after eight years. We test the damaged parts electrically and in the laboratory, attribute the failure and separate the primary damage from consequential damage to compressor, capacitor and reactor.
Typical damage patterns
- Winding or phase short circuit at the compressor
- Failure of inverter, thermistor or control board
- Surge after thunderstorm with semiconductor damage to the controller
- Consequential damage to compressor, capacitor and reactor coil after electronics failure
- Early failure with short operating time and no traces of wear
- Additional electricity costs due to emergency operation with heating element
Questions of evidence we answer
- Is there a lightning-related or other external surge, or operational wear?
- Is the failure due to material ageing, or are traces of wear absent despite short operating time?
- Is consequential damage to other components causally attributable to the primary damage?
- Is the submitted repair invoice in line with market rates and traceable?
- Can the cause still be clarified if the damaged part has already been replaced?
How we examine
Systematic exclusion logic: every conceivable cause is examined individually and ruled out with reasons until the most probable one remains.
- Securing the causal component before repair or disposal
- Visual inspection of housing, terminals and board
- Insulation measurement and measurement of the compressor phase windings
- Disassembly and detailed examination of compressor, inverter, capacitor and reactor
- Micro-focus X-ray examination of semiconductors and check for thermal traces
- Lightning location query and check whether other devices on the premises were affected
- Comparison with manufacturer remote diagnosis and error codes, calculation separating primary and consequential damage
The result
You receive the attribution of the failure, the separation of primary and consequential damage and the reviewed invoice. Assemblies not submitted are marked as not assessable, so the settlement rests on the verified scope.
Frequently asked questions
The installer has already replaced the compressor. Can you still examine it?
If the removed part is still available, yes. If it is missing, the assessment rests on the file, lightning location data and manufacturer diagnosis, and the report states this.
Do you also examine air-to-water heat pumps in residential buildings?
Yes. Most cases concern outdoor units of air-to-water heat pumps in single- and multi-family homes.
How are additional electricity costs from emergency operation assessed?
From meter readings or bills before and during emergency operation. Without evidence, the item cannot be quantified.
Enquiry about this type of loss
A few key facts, and we get back to you on the same working day with an assessment of how to proceed.
Do you have a case?
Call us or send us the claim notification with your questions of evidence. We get back to you the same working day.