Plain English practical home energy efficiency information
Significant savings can be made when using time of use tariffs with heat pumps, but only if the heat pump is setup and controlled in a specific way. Most people use the poorest method (thermostat controls) and not weather compensation with flow temperature manipulation.
Using thermostats with different set points to try to reduce energy bills when using heat pumps is a flawed approach, and a guessing game to achieve results.
The heat pump experience for a householder is set to be revolutionised by clever automated approaches to the management and control of heat pumps, that respond intelligently to changes in the weather, building behaviour, time of use tariffs and householder preferences. The end result is homes that are cheaper to run, and more comfortable.
Only by controlling a heat pump in a very specific way will result in worthwhile savings by using a time of use tariff. Using manipulation of flow temperatures is the only effective method, and something that an increasing number of heat pumps can do.
Redrow homes with heat pumps have been installed with outdated and inappropriate controls, that lead to heat pump innefficiency, poor comfort and high energy costs. Redrow have not provided the quality of information to allow the occupants of these homes with the knowledge of how to use their heat pumps properly. This guide fills that gap.
If you're confused, worried or just "new" to heat pumps, this is for you. These articles explain why heat pumps get a bad name and with the right knowledge you can make almost any heat pump work brilliantly
This article is written by Rosie who lives in Cheshire. She was at the end of her tether with her heat pump, unable to keep costs down and with a cold home. Ditching thermostats and timers she now has a warm home and energy costs that are dramatically different.
These are step by step, jargon free practical guides to how to set up the weather compensation settings for your home for popular brands of heat pump
There is an important role for a householder in the final tuning of a heat pump. Installers do have a role, but the best way to ensure a heat pump is set to "just the right indoor temperature" for their heat pump is for the householder to get involved.
Many heat pump households are unaware that the most efficient way to run their heat pump is to abandon the use of thermostats and timers and use weather compensation. Weather compensation is a feature that is built into almost all heat pumps but either not used at all or not setup correctly. Correctly setting up this feature makes as significant difference to both running costs and comfort.
Controlling heat pumps using room thermostats and timers is often the least efficient way to use a heat pump. The result is higher running costs, often poor comfort or satisfaction, and worry. There is a much better way, without the need to make any investments, other than in a little time.
Heat pumps have faced barrages of negative media attention for years. While like any new technology there are examples of poor heat pump experiences, the right wing media and other vested interests have focussed purely on negative stories, and often been mischievous in what they publish.
Heat pumps are not the same as boilers, and work in a completely different way. They therefore need to be better understood and not treated like a boiler. When used in the right way they provide homes that extremely comfortable but with low running costs.
Heat pumps are new to most people and the certainly worry some. There is nothing to be scared of though. Used in the right way they work brilliantly.
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