In winter, temperatures fall to an extreme low, which causes lots of discomfort for you and your family. Thus, it becomes necessary to invest in a heat pump to ensure the efficient warming of your house. But how do you use a heat pump in winter? This must be a question you’re asking yourself because temperatures fall to extreme levels, which in some cases reaches -25ºC. These appliances manage to remain functional because they use the outside air.
If you still are unsure of how to operate a heat pump, here’s a detailed guide on how to make use of a heat pump in winter.
The Basics of Winter Heat Pump Use
The operation of heat pumps is different in winter from that of the summer months. Because of this, you’ll need to implement several precautions to guarantee optimum comfort and efficiency. By observing these basics, your heat pump will remain useful for a longer duration, and you also get to save lots of money on your energy bills.
Heat pump problems in winter
Some of the issues you need to hire a professional immediately should they arise include;
- Higher heating bills: During the winter months, you’ll most likely set your heat pump in defrost mode. As a result, less heat per unit of electricity will be produced from the central heating system.
- Cold air passing via the vents: Air-to-air heat pumps operate more like air conditioning systems by passing through cold air into the vents. You need to make sure your heat pump isn’t on the cool setting, and there’s a high probability the liquid flowing around the pipes is leaking.
- Your heat pump has frozen: One of the most serious problems that can happen to your heat pump is getting completely frozen. Fortunately, the defrost setting, in most cases, helps alleviate this problem.
Winter Heat Pump Operation: Why Is It Different?
Whereas heat pumps are one of the most effective ways of heating your home, they don’t produce any heat but instead, move it from one place to another. During winter, it sucks in air from outside to the inside and capably manages to take out heat from the air despite the cold temperatures.
However, if the temperatures fall below the freezing point, this effectiveness becomes slightly reduced. In the summer months, they do the reverse that is taking the heat inside outside.
Maximize Heat Pump Performance with These Tips
If you want to maximize your heat pump’s efficiency, here are some useful tips to observe;
- Control it yourself: You should ideally opt for smart and programmable options, increasing the heat gradually 15 minutes before you need it.
- Don’t be scared of the defrost mode
- Regularly change the filter to ensure the smooth flow of air
- Get help from a professional
- Opt for the dual-heat pump option for increased efficiency
- Never cover your heat pump during the winter months as it promotes the pest infestation and the growth of mold
- Ensure there are no leaves close to the heat pump
- Avoid using emergency heat since it isn’t energy-efficient and should instead opt for the normal mode
- Carry out regular maintenance of your heat pump to avoid unforeseen breakdowns
At what temperature does a heat pump stop working?
Every heat pump incorporates a different and unique set of features. One of these features includes the heat pump’s minimum operating temperature during winter. In most heat pumps, the temperatures at which it will stop working are between -20ºC to -25ºC.
