Air-Source Heat Pumps are fast becoming ubiquitous in large parts of Europe for their energy efficiency and ability to provide both low carbon and low emission central heating and hot water. To really reap the benefits, it's important to use them effectively. Here’s a down-to-earth guide to help you get the most out of your system, ensuring comfort and efficiency.
These heat pumps work by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it to the heating system ‘fluid’, which then heats your home through radiators, underfloor heating, or domestic hot water systems. They effectively replace the gas, lpg or oil combustion ‘boilers’ as the appliance that creates the warm water for your central heating system.
Set a Consistent Temperature: Heat pumps don't work like gas boilers - they don't add heat when it's cold and then turn off, they run all the time to keep your home at a perfectly comfy temperature.
That's why it's important to keep a steady temperature, this is how the system was designed to operate. Constantly changing the thermostat will not actually save money as it makes the pump work harder, which can consume more electricity. During the heating season, a comfortable indoor temperature is around 20°C (68°F), and you can set your system control to lower it a bit when you're not home or sleeping. This change between the daytime temperature and the asleep/away temperature should be the only one you'll need
Controller Settings: Please try not to change the system settings that your engineer took care of when the system was installed - if you are unhappy please contact us and will check that these hidden settings are perfectly adjusted.
Holiday Mode: If you are going on vacation for a few days or more, it is recommended to set your heating to operate in low-power mode (e.g. ‘holiday mode’ or ‘away mode’). Please don’t be tempted to ‘switch off’ your heat pump at the controller or rotary isolator: when you come back it will take more time and energy to heat your home from a standing start than if the heat pump had been left running.
Annual Maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial. Schedule a professional service once a year. They will clean parts, check refrigerant levels, and ensure everything is working well. This keeps the system efficient, prevents breakdowns, and prolongs its life. Skipping this step can lead to reduced performance and higher energy bills. If you’ve got a Fornax Heat Pump Plan then this is already included, and we’ll contact you to schedule your servicing at a convenient time.
Use Curtains or Shutters Wisely: In winter, open curtains during the day to let in sunlight and close them at night to keep heat in. This is just like In summer, when you keep curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to keep your home cool.
Smart Home Integration: Smart Home energy management systems can learn your habits and adjust settings to keep you comfortable while saving money. This will become increasingly useful if your home has batteries or solar, and if you are using smart energy tariffs related to time and type of use. Speak with your energy supplier and heat pump supplier to understand how you can take advantage of this technology.
In Very Cold Conditions: In a sustained cold snap (think beast from the east) well below the worst case outside temperature that your system was designed to, consider leaving the heat pump running overnight (if you don't usually) to make sure that your heat pump has less work to do to keep your home home comfortable for when you wake up.
By understanding how your Air Source Heat Pump performs best and committing to annual maintenance, you can enjoy a cosy home all year round without wasting electricity. Use these simple tips to get the best from your system, balancing comfort and efficiency. Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your heat pump running smoothly and efficiently, and is included in a Fornax Heat Pump Plan so you don’t need to worry about scheduling your system health check!