How to use your heat pump efficiently (to save you money)

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Do you know how to use your heat pump efficiently? Heat pumps are a great, safe and energy efficient heating source, they have the ability to keep you cool during the summer months and warm during the winter months. It’s no surprise that heat pumps are one of New Zealand’s most popular climate control devices.

Modern technology coupled with a high level of detail on installations makes heat pumps quiet, sleek and simple to use, which fits perfectly with the variable New Zealand climate.

Heat pumps are friendly on the environment and when used correctly, are energy efficient, resulting in lower energy bills.

But, I bet if you spoke with your friends about the best way to use your heat pump you would come back with various opinions on the matter, for example: use the auto function, keep it on 24/7, put it on high to heat the room up, keep all doors open to heat the house. So, we thought we would clear it up for you so you can use your heat pump in the most efficient manner (and save you money!!)

What makes heat pumps more energy efficient?

Heat pumps don’t actually generate heat, they use electricity to move heat from outside to inside, much like your fridge freezer but in reverse. This is what makes the heat pump more cost-effective than say a panel heater, whilst keeping your home warm and dry.

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Choosing an efficient heat pump

Like all appliances, some are more efficient than others. Make sure to check out the energy star ratings on the heat pumps you are considering.

Also, the size of the heat pump matters, a lot. A small heat pump is not going to cut the mustard in a large/open plan area. Plus it is likely to cost you more to run as it has to work harder. Equally, a heat pump which is too big for a room will emit more heat than is needed which will then go to waste. It is the output size in W that is important to check out (not the physical size of the appliance). It is best to speak with a heat pump specialist when choosing your appliance, as many factors come into play e.g. height of ceilings, size of the room, used more for heating or cooling, your local climate etc.

Outdoor temperatures play a huge roll in heat pump selection too. If you live in an area with very cold winter temperatures you will need a heat pump with a larger capacity to overcome the cold.

‍Heat pump maintenance

“Heat pumps need regular maintenance – mainly cleaning. If you skimp on maintenance you can expect poorer performance and reduced life.” (Consumer, 2019)

Luckily, heat pump maintenance is generally easy and cheap to do yourself at home. Filters can just be cleaned with water or a vacuum (don’t be tempted to use harsh chemicals which may damage your filters).

There are a few factors to consider when thinking about how often you should clean your heat pump, but it should be done at least once a year, in Autumn to prepare for Winter use. If you use your heat pump all year round then it will need to be cleaned more frequently, especially if you have carpets in your property, you should do it with the change of season to ensure continued efficiency.

Also, make sure not to block the outside unit with objects or vegetation, the unit will struggle to disperse heat and more energy will be used (Panasonic, 2019)

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How to use your heat pump efficiently

The best way to use a heat pump is to keep the setting low (18ºC or – 20ºC). Don’t set your heat pump to the maximum – it won’t heat the room any quicker, but it will use more energy. Programme it to turn on 15 minutes before you need it instead. Also, don’t use the auto function – this cycles cool and heat to maintain the programmed temperature

Prepare your heat pump for winter. Clean your filters!

Clean both your indoor and outdoor heat pump filter regularly – at least once a year. It’s simple and quick to do this yourself unless the placement of the outside unit is difficult to get to.

Only heat space you’re using. Don’t have heat pumps going in bedrooms or in rooms you’re not using.

Turn off your heat pump when it’s not in use. It can run for as long as you need, but make sure you switch it off when you’re not using it.

Close doors and curtains to keep the heat in.

If you can, get your house insulated. The better insulated your home, the better it will hold the heat and the more energy efficient the heat pump will be.

Use the timer function to heat the space 15 minutes before you use it, or invest in a Smart WiFi controlled heat pump so you can control it remotely using an App on your Smartphone.

(Genesis Energy, 2016)

We hope this post helps you to keep warm this winter whilst saving your hard earned money! If you have any questions, feel free to pop them below and we will answer them for you. If you require our electrical services contact us here