As the temperatures start to drop and heating season kicks in, it’s only natural to pay a little more attention to how your home stays warm. After working quietly in the background through the warmer months, your heat pump is ready to show how it can keep your home warm efficiently and sustainably.
As these colder months arrive, it’s worth making sure your system is set up to deliver the best possible performance. A few small tweaks can help your heat pump run more efficiently, keep your home perfectly cosy, and potentially reduce your energy costs over time.
Here are some simple ways to get the most from your system this winter.
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Let it run steadily, not in bursts
Heat pumps work most efficiently when they maintain a steady indoor temperature rather than turning on and off throughout the day.
If you’re used to switching your boiler on in the morning and off at night, you’ll need to take a different approach. Set your heat pump to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature. Trial lowering it by 2–3°C overnight or when you’re away, instead of turning it off completely.
This allows your system to run gently and efficiently, avoiding the need to work harder to reheat a cold home.
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Experiment with your flow temperature
The flow temperature is the temperature of the water your heat pump sends to your radiators or underfloor heating. Many systems are initially set to around 55°C to ensure homes immediately feel warm but it isn’t always necessary to have it this hot.
On a cold day, make a note of the current settings and then experiment by gradually lowering the flow temperature a couple of degrees at a time until you find the lowest comfortable setting. It is important to take your time and give the system time to settle between adjustments.
Finding the “sweet spot” where you stay comfortable and your system runs efficiently can make a real difference to running costs over time.
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Insulation makes all the difference
Heat pumps perform best in well-insulated homes. If your home loses heat quickly, the system must work harder to maintain your chosen temperature.
Simple upgrades like adding loft insulation, improving wall or floor insulation, or fitting more efficient windows and doors can help your heat pump perform at its best.
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Check your electricity tariff
Electricity costs vary depending on your tariff. Some suppliers now offer heat pump-specific tariffs that provide cheaper rates during off-peak hours.
If your system can take advantage of these periods by running more when electricity is cheapest, you could see real savings.
And if you have, or are planning to install, solar panels or battery storage, you can offset part of your heat pump’s electricity demand with your own clean energy.
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Keep it well maintained
A well-maintained heat pump is an efficient heat pump.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, snow, or debris.
- Make sure air can circulate freely around it.
- Book an annual service to check performance, filters, and refrigerant levels.
If you’re unsure about any of your settings, your installer or our technical team will be happy to help you fine-tune your system for maximum comfort and efficiency.
Understanding your energy bills
You may have noticed that your heating bill hasn’t fallen as much as you hoped post-heat pump installation. That’s understandable and here’s why.
A modern gas boiler is around 90% efficient, meaning it converts 90% of the energy in gas into heat. A heat pump, on the other hand, can achieve a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3–4, which means it produces three to four units of heat for every single unit of electricity it uses.
In other words, your heat pump is more efficient, it’s just that electricity currently costs almost four times more per unit of energy than gas. However, as the UK’s electricity grid continues to decarbonise and energy pricing evolves, the long-term balance will move in your favour.
Even if your energy bills haven’t dropped dramatically, by making a few small adjustments and keeping your system well maintained, you’ll enjoy consistent comfort, greater efficiency, and the satisfaction of knowing your home is heated more sustainably. And that’s a long-term investment in a cleaner, greener home.