If you already have a heat pump installed, it is completely normal to wonder how to save energy with a heat pump. These systems are extremely efficient and can significantly reduce your energy bills compared with traditional heating systems such as gas, oil or electric resistance heating.
In this guide, we share practical and easy to apply tips to optimise energy consumption, set the correct temperature, estimate monthly running costs and use your heat pump efficiently during winter.
Practical Tips to Save Energy With a Heat Pump
Daily habits can make a significant difference to your energy consumption. The following recommendations are simple to implement and can help you start saving energy immediately.
Maintain the Right Temperature Range
- Heating: Keep indoor temperatures between 19°C and 21°C during the day. For sleeping, 17°C to 18°C is usually sufficient. Each additional degree can increase energy consumption by 6 percent to 10 percent.
- Cooling: During summer, aim for 24°C to 26°C with proper ventilation. Avoid setting temperatures too low unless necessary, as large temperature differences significantly increase energy consumption.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes: Sharp increases or decreases force the heat pump to operate at maximum output. Stable and gradual adjustments are far more efficient.
Take Advantage of Advanced Technology
- Inverter technology and modulation. If your heat pump includes inverter technology, allow it to modulate continuously. Maintaining stable operation is far more efficient than frequent start stop cycles.
- Weather compensation control. For aerothermal water based systems, activating weather compensation allows the water flow temperature to adjust automatically based on outdoor temperature. This improves efficiency and comfort while increasing the Coefficient of Performance (COP).
- Suitable heat emitters. Underfloor heating and low temperature radiators operating between 35°C and 45°C provide significantly better efficiency than traditional radiators operating at 60°C.
- Proper insulation and ventilation. Well sealed windows and short but intensive ventilation sessions help maintain indoor temperature without forcing the system to work harder.
Smart Programming
Scheduling your heating and cooling system according to your electricity tariff can reduce costs. If you have time of use pricing, run heating or domestic hot water production during off peak hours and maintain stable temperatures during peak periods.
Thermal inertia can also be useful. Pre heating your home before outdoor temperatures drop or before occupants return can reduce overall demand. If possible, install zoning systems to heat or cool only occupied areas. This reduces energy consumption by limiting the volume of air that needs to be conditioned. Always place the thermostat in a representative location, away from direct sunlight or draughts, and rely on programmed settings instead of constant manual adjustments.
Regular Filter and System Maintenance
- Indoor unit filters. Clean filters monthly for air to air systems. If you have pets or high dust levels, cleaning every two to three weeks may be necessary. Clean filters improve airflow and system efficiency.
- Outdoor unit maintenance. Keep the external unit clear of leaves, dust and obstacles, maintaining at least 50 to 70 centimetres of free space around it. Restricted airflow can significantly increase energy consumption.
- Annual professional servicing. Checking refrigerant pressure, system calibration and electronic components can restore lost efficiency and extend system lifespan.
Use Low Energy Demand Periods
Make full use of off peak electricity tariffs by scheduling underfloor heating pre heating or domestic hot water production during cheaper periods. If your property has solar panels, program your heat pump to operate during daylight hours to maximise solar energy use. Passive heat gains also help reduce consumption. Allow sunlight into your home during winter and use shading during summer to reduce cooling demand.
What Temperature Should You Set Your Heat Pump To?
Winter Heating
- When at home: 19°C to 22°C
- During the night or short absences: reduce temperature by 1°C to 2°C instead of switching the system off
- During long absences: use frost protection mode or maintain temperatures between 15°C and 17°C depending on insulation and climate
Summer Cooling
- When at home: 24°C to 26°C
- Avoid temperature differences greater than 10°C between indoor and outdoor environments to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort
Water Based Aerothermal Systems
- Underfloor heating: flow temperature between 28°C and 35°C
- Low temperature radiators: 35°C to 45°C
- Traditional radiators: try to remain below 50°C to 55°C and verify system performance at those temperatures
A useful tip is to gradually reduce the thermostat setting. If comfort remains acceptable, keep the lower temperature and benefit from long term savings.
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Run Per Month?
Monthly energy consumption depends on three main factors:
- Thermal demand of the property
- Flow temperature required by heat emitters
- Seasonal efficiency ratings such as SCOP for heating and SEER for cooling
Simple Calculation Method:
- Estimate monthly heating demand in thermal kWh
- Divide by the system SCOP
- Multiply by electricity cost per kWh
Example Heating Cost Calculation
90 m2 well insulated home in a temperate climate, with a monthly heating demand of 900 thermal kWh, aerothermal heat pump with SCOP 3.2 and an electricity cost of 0.20 euros per kWh
Electricity consumption: 900 / 3.2 = 281 kWh
Estimated monthly cost: 281 x 0.20 = 56 euros
Higher flow temperatures, such as those required by traditional radiators, reduce efficiency and increase consumption. Low temperature systems like underfloor heating significantly reduce energy usage.
For cooling calculations, use SEER instead of SCOP. Good shading and ventilation further reduce cooling demand.
How to Use a Heat Pump Efficiently in Winter
- Maintain stable temperatures between 19°C and 21°C instead of switching the system on and off
- Activate weather compensation in aerothermal water systems
- Defrost cycles are normal during cold and humid weather. Keep the outdoor unit clean and uncovered to minimise defrost duration
- Keep doors and windows properly sealed and ventilate quickly for short periods
- Reduce temperature in unused rooms without allowing them to become excessively cold
- Schedule domestic hot water production during off peak hours or solar generation periods
- Ensure air vents and filters remain unobstructed
Is It Bad to Leave a Heat Pump Running All the Time?
It depends on how the system is used and the level of insulation in your property. In well insulated homes with inverter technology, maintaining a stable temperature and allowing the heat pump to modulate is usually more efficient. In poorly insulated properties, reducing temperature during absences is preferable to completely switching off the system.
If you use high temperature radiators, frequent start ups at high flow temperatures increase costs. Lower temperature emitters improve performance significantly. Underfloor heating operates slowly but provides stable comfort. The best approach is continuous operation with minor adjustments. As a general rule, avoid running the system continuously at maximum output. Instead, allow it to operate continuously at the required temperature setting and reduce temperatures slightly during extended absences.
Saving energy with a heat pump involves a combination of smart temperature control, efficient programming, proper maintenance and suitable heating emitters. By applying these strategies, most homes and businesses achieve stable comfort and lower energy bills. For maximum efficiency, especially in water based aerothermal systems, professional system calibration can optimise flow rates, weather compensation curves and operating temperatures, helping improve seasonal efficiency without compromising comfort.
