Set it and forget it. Heat pumps operate most efficiently when holding a steady temperature. Turning heat pumps down when you're away or asleep may actually use more energy than leaving them on. The reason is that they have to work harder to come back to the desired temperature than they do to maintain it.
To receive maximum benefits from your heat pump in the winter months, ensure that your remote control settings are on 'HEAT' mode and your fan speed and louver are both set on 'AUTO'. This helps your heat pump determine room conditions and operate more efficiently.
Heat pumps work most efficiently when maintaining a temperature. Consequently, it is recommended to lower your set point by 3˚ – 5˚ when your system is in the unoccupied or night setting. Most of today's thermostats are programmable and allow you to set a schedule to match your preference.
Unless you use a heat pump with auxiliary electric resistive heat it is cheaper to turn the heat off during the day. The same goes for air conditioning.
Ideal Temperature Range: Generally, setting your heat pump to a moderate temperature range is key to maximizing its efficiency. Most experts recommend a setting between 68°F to 72°F (20°C to 22°C) when you're at home and awake.
Although it seems counter-intuitive, a heat pump runs at its most efficient if it is left on all the time, rather than short blasts of heat in the morning and evening. This is because it is far easier to maintain a cosy temperature than it is to heat up your home from a cold baseline.
No, heat pumps do not need to run constantly in the winter. Most heat pumps are designed to cycle on and off as needed to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. That said, if it is very cold outside, it may need to run continuously at times to maintain warmth in your home.
Heat pumps do not operate as efficiently when temperatures drop to between 25 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for most systems. A heat pump works best when the temperature is above 40. Once outdoor temperatures drop to 40 degrees, heat pumps start losing efficiency, and they consume more energy to do their jobs.
best way to benefit from the heat pump is to use it for as much heating as it can handle. Try to keep doors open to rooms allowing the heat pump's heat to circulate as much as possible. Open the doors and turn up the fan. Use the “heat” or “cool” setting on the thermostat or control rather than the “auto”.
But heat pumps work to cool homes, too, and are capable of working in hot weather, just like an air conditioner. According to the Department of Energy, heat pumps work as well at conditioning an equivalent-sized space as an air conditioner but they dehumidify better and work more efficiently.
Maintain your heat pump on a regular basis.
Regular maintenance ensures your heat pump operates at peak efficiency while also increasing the unit's lifespan. Dust, dirt, pollen, and pet hair can accumulate over time which reduces airflow and makes your system work harder to maintain the set temperature.
By setting the temperature to what is actually required, say 18–22°C in Heat Mode (a comfort- able temperature during winter), the heat pump will respond in the most efficient way and will reach this temperature quickly and continue to maintain it – without any further adjustment.
Contrary to popular belief, air-source heat pumps work amazingly well in winter—even in very cold climates.
Most standard heat pumps will function at 100% efficiency until the outside temperature reaches about 40° F. However, when the temperature dips below this, most heat pumps are not able to maintain efficiency. They become much less effective at temperatures between 20° F to 30° F.
A lot of people believe that keeping a heat pump running 24/7 is an efficient, cost-effective way to heat their home. But in fact, that idea is actually a myth. When you do that, you're actually using more energy and losing more energy overall, so it's much better to just run your heat pump when you're at home.
Lastly, while we do not recommend using “Auto” mode for the heating and cooling function, we do recommend using “Auto Fan” mode to control air circulation as it tends to be the most efficient setting for that function.
Ideal Winter Heat Pump Temperature Settings
According to the Department of Energy, 68°F is the sweet spot that balances comfort and energy efficiency during the fall and winter months. When your home is occupied and when family members are awake, a heat pump setting of 68°F keeps the living areas reasonably warm.
While in heating mode, a heat pump can consume between 0.86-9.00 kWh per hour, 6.86-72 kWh per day, and 205.71-2160 kWh per month. The cost of operation at $0.15/kWh is $30.86-$324 per month. One way to offset the costs of heat pump electricity usage is by installing solar panels.
Remember that the harder a heat pump works the more electricity it will use. For the most cost effective results, set your pump up to provide heat at a lower temperature over a longer period of time.
Set the temperature between 20°C and 22°C. Setting the temperature higher makes it work harder and it will be less efficient. Running a heat pump at 26°C will use 50% more power than at 21°C. If you are not at home during the day, turn the heat pump off when you go out.
A heat pump works by taking the heat from the air outside your home and moving it indoors. They're most efficient when they're set at a consistent temperature, that's why we recommend to “set it and forget it”.
- We recommend to leave your thermostat on constantly set at between 18 – 21 degrees during the winter months so that you don't have to keep heating the system from cold. - They respond slowly to temperature changes.