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We built a free scorecard that shows how your heat pump, ventilation and solar systems are performing. Results are usually surprising.
No thanksWe built a free scorecard that shows how your heat pump, ventilation and solar systems are performing. Results are usually surprising.
No thanks
Using a heat pump efficiently comes down to three things: the mode it's set to, the temperature it's running at, and whether anything is blocking its airflow. Get those right and the same system heats or cools the same room for less. None of the fixes below cost anything, and most take about two minutes.
AUTO sounds like the smart option, but it lets the unit decide for itself whether to heat or cool, which isn't what you want on a cold evening. Set it to HEAT directly. For temperature, 18°C is the efficient minimum for a healthy home. Every degree above that adds to the running cost, and heat pumps already account for roughly 30 to 34 percent of household electricity use over winter.
A short burst of cold air partway through a heating cycle is a normal defrost, not a fault. It only needs a look if it runs longer than 15 minutes.
The same principle works in reverse. COOL mode keeps the unit focused on one job instead of switching back and forth. Setting the temperature closer to the outdoor temperature (24°C rather than 18°C) means the compressor doesn't have to work as hard to hold the room there. A gap of six to eight degrees between inside and outside is usually enough for comfort without pushing the system unnecessarily hard.
Both the indoor and outdoor units need clear space to move air. Furniture or curtains in front of the indoor unit, and anything stacked against the outdoor unit, force the system to work harder to circulate the same amount of air. Worth a quick check regardless of season.
For what every mode and symbol on the remote actually does, see our heat pump remote symbols guide.
For the full range of services covered, visit our heat pump service hub.
No. AUTO can switch the unit between heating and cooling on its own. Set HEAT in winter and COOL in summer for reliable, efficient performance.
18°C is the recommended minimum for a healthy home. Every degree above that increases running cost.
24°C or above, aiming for a six to eight degree gap between inside and outside rather than a large temperature drop.
Yes, a short defrost burst during a heating cycle is normal. It's only worth checking if it runs for more than 15 minutes.