Size does matter!
Like many appliances, heat pumps are available in different sizes. While they do increase marginally in physical size, it is the heating capacity that you need to look at when finding the right heat pump for your home.
The size of the heat pump you will need is dependent on the size of the space you would like to heat. A heat pump that is too small for the space it needs to heat will have to work overtime to get it up to temperature and you will most likely not achieve the results you desire.
Having a heat pump installer visit your home is usually the safest option before purchasing, and most will come out and quote for free.
For more information on sizing, or to see a heat pump sizing guide click on the link below:
http://www.smarterheating.co.nz/smarterheating/size_guide.aspx
No heating appliance should be used 24 hours a day
Common sense tells you, that if you leave an appliance running the whole day, you can expect your power bill to rise. Clever use of a heat pump is using it as required. If you are not at home during the day, there is no need to run your heat pump during the day. In this situation, and with good insulation, a couple of hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening should suffice.
For example, when running a 3.5kW heat pump for a couple of hours in the morning and four hours in the evening you could expect to rack up around $40.50 (including GST) in power usage per month. Compare this to running a similar wattage bar heater for the same period of time, which would cost you a whopping $141.75 per month!
Use a timer
Many heat pumps will come with a timer, some even with a seven-day Timer. By using timers to their full advantage, you can prevent energy wastage and keep your home at a comfortable temperature during the times you are there.
The option of a 7-Day timer will mean that your heat pump can work with your lifestyle, no matter how much your schedule changes day to day. It will automatically turn on and off at the times you need it to…seven days a week!
Temperature selection
Do not operate your heat pump like a radiant heater! Cranking your heat pump up to 27°C is not going to make the room warm any faster. In fact, it will use a lot more energy as the heat pump struggles to calculate how many defrost cycles and how much energy is required to get to this temperature.
By setting the temperature to what is actually required, say 18-22°C in heating mode (a comfortable temperature during winter), the heat pump will respond in the most efficient way and will reach this quickly and then continue to maintain it – without further adjustment. Using a timer to activate this temperature half an hour before you arrive home will mean you return to warm, cosy comfort.
For more information on how to use your heat pump efficiently visit:
http://www.smarterheating.co.nz/smarterheating/efficiency.aspx
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