The ideal room temperature for a heat pump is 68∘F 𝟔𝟖∘𝐅 in the winter and 78∘F 𝟕𝟖∘𝐅 in the summer. Because heat pumps operate using a "slow and steady" mechanism, they are highly efficient when maintaining a steady temperature and are not designed for frequent, drastic thermostat changes.
The reality is that it's usually not a good idea to simply keep a heat pump operating all through the night while you're asleep. Instead, you should make sure that you have a programmable thermostat and set it to have it lower the indoor temperatures by 8° to 10°F when people are asleep.
If your heat pump is unexpectedly expensive to run, the most common culprits are inefficient auxiliary/backup heat, high local electricity rates, or a system that isn't sized properly.
For most modern heat pumps, there is no temperature that is technically "too cold" to operate, but there is a temperature where they lose efficiency and require backup heating.
There are two entirely different HVAC concepts known as the "20-degree rule" for heat pumps. The first is a user guideline that suggests setting your thermostat no more than 20∘F above or below the outdoor temperature. The second is an equipment metric referring to the system's "temperature split" or output efficiency.
No, You Should Not Turn off Your Heat Pump when It Gets Cold
When it's cold, they pull warm air into the house. Even on a cold day, the heat pump can draw some warmth out of the air, enabling it to generate three to four times the amount of heat as what would have been produced by the same amount of fuel consumed.
It takes time for your home to warm up and cool down. If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it.
Most heat pumps should complete about two to three cycles per hour, with ten to twenty minutes of downtime between each cycle. If you notice your system cycling too frequently or not enough, it could indicate an underlying issue that needs attention.
When it's extremely cold outside, the temperature difference is large, which makes it harder for the heat pump to transfer heat effectively. As a result, the heat pump may have to work harder and use more energy to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, which can reduce its overall efficiency.
Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter? While slightly higher than the typical energy-saving range of 68°F–70°F, 72°F still offers a reasonable balance between comfort and efficiency.
What are the disadvantages of a heat pump?
Heat Pump Runtime: What to Expect
On average, a heat pump runs in cycles for about 2–3 hours per day. However, this can fluctuate based on the factors listed above. During extreme weather conditions, your system may run continuously to maintain a comfortable environment.
When is it cheaper to use electricity? Off-peak hours can vary between suppliers, where you live and the time of year. For our Economy 7 tariffs and two rate meters, the cheaper night-time rate runs for 7 hours between midnight and 8am.
Your auxiliary heat, or secondary heat source, should come on when your heat pump is struggling to heat your home effectively. The thermostat will trigger auxiliary heat when: The outside temperature is below 40 degrees or a set aux heat trigger temperature. The heat pump is in defrost mode.
Typically, a properly sized furnace will run for about 10–15 minutes per cycle during colder months. If your furnace turns on every few minutes, it may be short cycling, which can indicate issues such as a clogged filter, blocked vents, or an oversized unit.
The best heat pump brand depends on your specific priorities. Industry experts and consumer reports generally recognize Mitsubishi for unmatched cold-climate reliability, Carrier for overall efficiency, Bosch for whisper-quiet operation, Lennox for premium luxury, and Goodman for budget value.
Most heat pumps will never get down to a COP below 1, even at those temps. Lots of cold climate heat pumps are still pushing a COP of 2 at those temps. There's no need to turn the heat pump off while it's still operating. It will protect itself if it needs to.
HOW TO MAKE A HEAT PUMP MORE EFFICIENT IN WINTER
Troubleshooting Your HVAC System
To use a heat pump efficiently in the winter, set your thermostat to a comfortable, constant temperature and leave it alone. Heat pumps work by extracting warmth from the outside air, so avoiding drastic temperature adjustments prevents the system from overworking or turning to costly auxiliary heat.
If your heat pump is unexpectedly expensive to run, the most common culprits are inefficient auxiliary/backup heat, high local electricity rates, or a system that isn't sized properly.
We would normally recom- mend 18–22°C for a com- fortable environment, but if you prefer your home on the warmer side then we suggest the 22°C mark. Setting a higher temperature is not rec- ommended as the heat pump will work hard to achieve this temperature potentially increasing power usage.
In most homes, Heating and Cooling (HVAC) systems drive the highest energy costs, accounting for nearly 40% to 50% of your total electricity bill. Following these, the appliances that run up your bill the most include water heaters, refrigerators, and laundry machines.
Heating and energy expert Stephen Hankinson said that one "big energy cost saver" is to make sure you have your heating off when you're not at home. For instance, if you typically arrive home from work at around 6pm on weekdays, you could set your heating to activate just as you walk through the door.
For most customers, we recommend turning on your furnace when the weather is consistently below 18° Celsius, which usually happens to be around the end of September, or early October. Some homeowners try to put off turning on their furnace as long as they can to save money, which is okay if you're healthy adults.