- 24-
7. How To Get The Most Out Of Your Heat Pump
It is important to understand that you should operate heat pumps differently to conventional heating
systems such as gas boilers. Below are some points you should be aware of:
Since heat pumps produce water at a lower temperature (than gas boilers), it is important to
remember the heat up time of your property is slower.
The lower temperature the heat pump produces, the more efficient it is.
The higher the ambient temperature (outside temperature), the more efficient the heat pump
is.
The heat pump has a simple job, and that is to maintain the water tanks at the set
temperature.
It’s a good idea to let your heat pump maintain your water tank temperatures 24 hours a day
during the winter. This will enable your central heating controller to call for heat in the home at
any time. During the summer you can set the timer on the heat pump controller for your hot
water requirements.
With the above in mind, you could decide between the following:
Option 1.
You could decide to operate your heat pump during the day time (when temperatures are
higher). At the same time you could set the water temperature lower. This will basically charge your
home during the day so in the evening the home is warm and the heat pump simply maintains the
heat. This is not controlled by the heat pump controller, it is controlled by your central heating
controller.
Option 2
. You could operate your central heating controller in a similar way to a conventional boiler.
You must set the programme at least 1 hour before you need your property to be warm. The
downside to this is that you may need to set the water that the heat pump produces to a higher
temperature.
Option 3.
You could decide to operate your home with back ground heat. This means you are always
(24 hours a day) putting a trickle heat in your home
In all cases it is recommended to maintain a minimum temperature in your home (e.g. 14c to16C)
during the evening. This is controlled by your central heating controller.
There is no right and wrong way to operate your heat pump. We cannot tell you which is the most
efficient way to operate it since every home is different. What we can say is that you should look for
the best way to heat your home that suits your lifestyle. Nowadays with low cost energy monitors, you
can easily find the most cost effective way to heat your home. We hope you enjoy your Heat Pump.
