Set your heat pump to Heat in the winter and Cool in the summer. Avoid the "Auto" mode, as it can cause the system to constantly switch between heating and cooling, which wastes energy.
For the most efficient winter operation, set your thermostat to a steady 68°F (20°C) while you are home. Unlike traditional furnaces, heat pumps work best when left alone rather than constantly adjusted. Avoid large temperature "setbacks" (lowering the temp drastically), as this forces the system to work harder to reheat the home.
The most efficient heat pumps for homes are geothermal (ground-source) systems. If you are restricted to an air-source system, variable-speed inverter models from industry-leading brands are your best bet.
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.
Avoid “Auto” mode.
To avoid accidentally air conditioning on a mid-winter sunny day or perhaps when a wood stove is running, use “Heat” mode, not “Auto.” Likewise, to avoid accidentally heating on a cool summer night, use “Cool,” “Dry,” or “Fan” mode, not “Auto.” Watch a short video for this tip.
In outdoor temperatures above 30 degrees, the heat pump should cycle off and on like a normal furnace. Somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees outdoor temperature, the heat pump will reach a “balance point” where the heat needed by the home is equal to the heat supplied by the heat pump. So now it will run all the time.
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.
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.
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.
When charging in heating mode, technicians follow these key steps: Run the system in heating mode for at least 10 to 15 minutes to stabilize operations. Check the indoor and outdoor coil temperatures. Measure superheat and subcooling values.
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.
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.
Thermostat Settings — Heat pumps work best when you keep your thermostat at a constant temperature all the time — overnight or when you're out for the day. Unlike furnaces and boilers, adjusting your thermostat for short-term situations is not recommended and may lead to higher energy bills.
Outdoor Heat Pump Unit Freezing
One common problem is the outdoor unit freezing when temperatures drop too low. Ice buildup can obstruct airflow, reducing the unit's ability to capture heat. Most heat pumps have a defrost cycle to handle this, which usually solves the problem.
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.
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.
Known for his practical tips, Lewis introduced the '4pm rule' which involves using curtains strategically to retain heat. He suggests opening curtains when the sun rises at around 8:30am to let in natural warmth, and closing them by 4pm to keep the heat inside.
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.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are the biggest energy consumers in a typical house, accounting for roughly 45−50% of your total electricity usage. Water heaters, refrigerators, and lighting round out the rest of the major draws.
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.
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.
Heat pumps don't necessarily "stop working" at specific temperatures, but their efficiency drops significantly as it gets colder.
An overcharged heat pump means there is too much refrigerant in the system, which elevates operating pressures and stresses the mechanical components. Common symptoms include diminished heating and cooling output, unusually high electricity bills, frequent system shutdowns, and sweating or frosted-over lines near the compressor.
Your heating and cooling system is by far the biggest energy consumer in your home. Air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pump HVAC systems work hard to keep your home comfortable year-round, but they also account for almost half of your energy bill.
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.