Heat pumps offer low-carbon, energy-efficient heating for your house. As a responsible homeowner, you want your heat pump to function as efficiently as possible, right? And it’s possible to do it. Some of the things you need to do, as given by heat pump repair service providers, include:

Adjust the heating curve

This is also known as ‘outside weather compensation.’ When you initially get your heat pump, the installer should establish the heating curve. If it’s not set appropriately, it can increase your running costs. So, you need to put it properly.

Check your heating curve to ensure it’s set correctly. Some installers may put it higher to keep your home warm in winter, but you can reduce it without feeling too cold. Leaving the heat pump on for longer periods can also help, as it can run more efficiently, reducing overall running costs.

Lowering the heat pump flow temperature shortens the heating system’s reaction time. This means it takes longer to warm the house in cold weather, but it also has a significant impact on your operating costs.

Try turning it down in one-degree increments throughout the winter until you’re confident your home is too cold for you. Then, raise it one degree to maintain comfort.

Keep your heat pump running.

Some people turn on their heat pumps in the morning, go off for work, and then turn them back on again in the evening. This is not a good thing to do because it has been shown to set back the heat pump.

To be on the safe side, make sure your heat pump isn’t attempting to heat your hot water or the house overnight when the outside air temperature is substantially lower. That is unless you are on a time-of-use tariff when electricity is cheaper.

During the winter, the air temperature might drop by 5 degrees Celsius or more overnight. This reduces the heat pump’s efficiency since it must work harder to heat the water to a high temperature.

If the temperature in your home dips a few degrees, your heat pump will have to work much harder to warm it back up. So, it’s preferable to leave your heat pump on all the time and let your ‘set-back’ maintain a lower temperature when you’re away or sleeping.

Upgrade your radiators

If you didn’t upgrade your radiators when you installed your heat pump, now’s the time to do so.

If the radiator in each room of your home is not large enough, the room will not be warm. It does not matter how large or powerful your heat pump is.

Your radiators may have been fine when linked to a boiler, which generally operates at 75°C. However, if the water temperature in the system drops to 45°C, as is familiar with heat pumps, your radiators will be insufficient.

That is if you continue to heat your home in the same way you did with a boiler, such as turning it on twice a day in the dead of winter.

Larger radiators have a higher surface area for circulating heat. Radiators that do not require additional wall space are also available. These are also two or three-panel radiators. You should research and find the radiators that will be ideal for you.

Fix problems as soon as you notice them.

When your heat pump is installed, make sure to read the manual and learn the fundamentals of both the control system and the heat pump itself.

If there is a serious problem with the heat pump, the control panel will alert you.

Do not ignore warnings on the control screen. Check the fault log to check if there are any reoccurring fault messages. Speak with the installer and manufacturer to determine what’s causing them.

It’s better to address these issues as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of your heat pump failing during the winter. A standard error is a ‘heating blocked’ notice, which can suggest the heat pump is running at temperatures that are too high.

Sometimes, the problem is with the central heating system rather than the heat pump. Faulty pumps, valves, sludge, and debris in the radiators can all produce issues that appear to be heat pump-related.

If your central heating system lacks water treatment and filtration, consider installing one as soon as feasible. Not having these will cause long-term issues with the heat pump, which may be costly to repair.

If you feel your installer isn’t taking your issues seriously, contact the manufacturer. They frequently have experts who are more experienced in resolving problems with your specific model.

Bleed your ground loops.

The ground loops in a ground source heat pump function similarly to radiators. If left unchecked, air can enter the system and cause air locks to be bled out.

Your heat pump may have a pressure gauge that displays the pressure in the ground loops. Keep track of the pressure level set by the installer and ensure it does not drop too low.

When you have a service, ask the heat pump repair port Jefferson expert for assistance on how to identify any problems and, if necessary, bleed your ground loops.

Make use of solar power.

You can increase your savings and reduce your carbon footprint even more by getting your electricity from a renewable energy source.

Combining solar panels and a home battery allows you to store free, renewable electricity for use in your heat pump. This reduces your reliance on the grid, lowering your electricity bills even further.

The most significant advantage of a home battery is when you have a time-of-use tariff. These tariffs encourage you to use your energy during off-peak hours, which results in cheaper energy expenses.

Check your heating boost setting.

Heat pumps can operate in temperatures as low as -15°C; however, there may be times when their output is insufficient for your needs. However, such temperatures are uncommon throughout the year.

When temperatures drop this low, the ‘heating boost’ or ‘heating comfort’ setting on your heat pump control panel can help.

The heat pump adds energy to the system by using an additional heater element until the outside temperature reaches the desired limits. It is not uncommon for the heat pump to require extra assistance during the coldest months.

The heat pump does not consume this extra power for long periods, so it should not significantly increase your operating costs over a year.