How to use your air source heat pump efficiently
Air source heat pumps work best when your home is kept at an even, comfortable temperature of between 18-20 degrees Celsius. You should avoid big spikes in internal room temperature. These can cause a build-up of condensation and mould.
To stop the internal temperature of your home from spiking, keep kitchen and bathroom doors closed, especially when you are cooking or bathing. Avoid putting large items of furniture in front of radiators. This will stop heat being distributed throughout your home.
Another reason to maintain a steady room temperature is that you’ll save money. It’s often cheaper to run you heat pump at a steady temperature rather than relying on the boost function.
Get to know how your heat pump works and how long it takes to comfortably heat your home. You can programme the system so it comes on early enough to provide you with the warmth you need.
If your heat pump only provides hot water, use the immersion back-up when the heat pump is not producing enough heat. Just remember to switch off the immersion back-up when it’s no longer needed. It uses a lot of energy and may leave you with higher bills if you keep it on for long periods of time.
The essentials to managing your air source heat pump – in brief:
Try to
- Heat your home to a comfortable temperature of between 18-20 degrees Celsius. The system is designed to provide even heat throughout your home.
- Make sure you leave your air source heat pump running 24/7, especially during cooler weather.
- Run the system all day, all year round if your air source heat pump provides hot water to your home.
- Keep kitchen and bathroom doors closed when cooking and bathing. This prevents the internal temperature of your home from spiking.
- Get to know the controls for your air source heat pump. Learn how to use the system to comfortably heat up your home.
Avoid
- Allowing the internal temperatures in your home to fluctuate. You should try not to let your home get very hot or very cold.
- Switching off your air source heat pump. It’s designed to operate 24/7, especially in cold weather.
- Putting large items of furniture in front of radiators. This will prevent heat from being distributed throughout your house.
More detail if you need it
What is an air source heat pump?
- An air source heat pump is a heating system that works by extracting heat from the air outside. It uses it to heat your home and hot water. It works in the same way that a fridge extracts heat to keep food cool.
How do air source heat pumps work?
- An air source heat pump steadily delivers heat to your home at low temperatures over long periods of time. This enables it to work in a more efficient way and at a lower cost to you.
- Air source heat pumps run at lower temperatures than traditional central heating systems. Your radiators will not feel as hot as you would expect.
- To work effectively, they need to run for longer than you might think. During cold weather, they’re designed to run 24/7.
- If your air source heat pump provides hot water as well as central heating, then it will run all day, all year round.
Electricity tariff
- Air source heat pumps operate on a standard electricity tariff. Hastoe recommends checking your tariff with your electricity provider to ensure you are getting a competitive rate.
Useful links
