Should You Leave Your Heat Pump On All Night?

If you own a heat pump, you have probably been told that it is more efficient to leave it on at night on the lowest temperature than switching it off – the reason being that maintaining a warm temperature uses less energy than reheating the room in the morning.

Well, here’s the truth.

While heat pumps are the most cost effective way to use electricity to heat your home during the cooler months, leaving them running day and night is not economically efficient. According to Energywise, you should switch off your heat pump when you don’t need it. This is to avoid excessive energy waste.

If you want to get the most out of your heat pump, consider this:

Insulation

Proper insulation alone could slash your power bill by a significant amount. If your walls and ceiling are adequately insulated, your heat pump won’t have to work as hard and your home will be cheaper to heat.

The temperature will drop after you shut off the heating. If your home is well insulated, the temperature will drop at a slow rate so there is no point having your heater on at all. Otherwise, the temperature will drop faster but the heat from your heat pump will only dissipate and go to waste. So either way, you’re better off having thick covers to keep you warm than having your heat pump running all night.

Consider your climate

Many heat pumps can’t keep up with huge temperature drops. If you live in a cooler climate, you’ll need a heat pump that performs well at cooler temperatures. Make

Choose the right size

One size doesn’t fit all. If the unit is too small for the space being heated, it will struggle to provide enough heat and will cost more to run. On the other hand, if the unit is too big, it will use more energy than necessary to warm your home.

Moreover, different types of heat pumps work differently. For instance, a split-system is designed to heat only a room so it works particularly well for open plan living areas. Ducted systems enable you to heat multiple rooms through a series of ducts through the ceiling.

Set the timer

To make sure you always come home to a warm house, you can set the timer to turn the unit on half an hour before you get home. You can also set the timer to switch the heater on before you get out of bed in the morning. This practice could save you roughly $50 to $100 a month, depending on the size of your unit and the space being heated.

Another way to save money is by keeping the setting low (18oC or -20oC). It is a misconception that setting your heat pump to the maximum will heat the room quicker. – it won’t. It will only use more energy.

Lastly, it’s important to have your unit cleaned and serviced regularly, especially before the cooler months arrive. For more information about heat pumps and air conditioning units, contact the heat pump specialists on 0800 549 443.