How To Make The Most Of Your Heat Pump In Winter
Home heating is a major point of discussion at the moment, and there’s no time when it’s more relevant than winter. As the cold sets in, your home heating needs to be able to perform well, without breaking the bank while doing so. It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of heat pumps at Pipelife because they’re phenomenally efficient, but how do they hold up at this time of year when you need them the most? In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into how to best take advantage of your heat pump in winter.
Do Heat Pumps Work In Winter?
You’ll be happy to know that a heat pump in winter shouldn’t perform much differently than it does throughout the rest of the year. Even though heat pumps work by drawing in heat energy from the air outside, cold temperatures don’t have as much of an effect on this process as you might imagine. You would have to be facing extremely cold conditions for this to become an issue.
How To Optimise Your Heat Pump For Winter
You can optimise your heat pump settings for winter to ensure that you’re getting the best possible performance out of your system. In general, we recommend that you keep your thermostat set to one consistent temperature to avoid straining the system with too many temperature adjustments. If your heat pump has an auxiliary heating function, then using that will allow it to add some backup heating if temperatures suddenly drop. Finally, make sure that you get a professional service annually to ensure it’s been appropriately maintained for winter.
Benefits Of Heating Your Home With A Heat Pump In Winter
Choosing to use a heat pump in winter instead of another heating system has some major advantages. They’re remarkably energy efficient and use far less electricity or gas than a conventional boiler. This makes it much better for the environment and much cheaper to run, saving you money on your heating bills when you need it most.
Will I Experience Lower Room Temperatures During Winter?
It’s totally normal for a heat pump in winter to have to work a bit harder. However, it should still be capable of maintaining consistent warmth in the home throughout the winter. If it’s struggling, then consider what other factors may be at play. Your home’s insulation plays a massive role in maintaining proper heating during winter. Make sure your insulation is up to date and intact, as without it, you may find heat leaving your home much faster.
Can An Outdoor Heat Pump Unit Freeze?
In extreme cases, a heat pump’s outdoor unit can freeze over. Moisture in the air can freeze the coils, which will prevent the heat pump from extracting heat effectively. However, most modern heat pumps are equipped with a defrost function that automatically melts any ice buildup. As long as your system is up to date, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. If you do notice a buildup of ice around your outdoor unit, you will want to get hold of a professional to ensure that it’s functioning properly and not in any danger of freezing.
If you have any questions about how to best make use of your heat pump in winter, don’t be afraid to reach out to the Pipelife Eco team. With over 50 years in the business, we’ve got the expertise to ensure that you’re getting the best possible advice to help you keep your home warm this winter.