Best Thermostat Settings for a Heat Pump

Setting your thermostat correctly is one of the simplest ways to improve comfort and efficiency with a heat pump.

However, heat pumps operate very differently from traditional gas boilers — and using the same approach can reduce performance.

👉 The key difference: heat pumps work best when maintaining a steady temperature, rather than heating a property in short bursts.

🌡️ Recommended Temperature Settings

For most homes, a good starting point is:

• Daytime: 20–21°C

• Night-time: 17–19°C

This allows the system to maintain comfort while reducing demand slightly overnight.

👉 Large temperature swings should be avoided, as they force the system to work harder to recover.

🔄 Why Steady Temperatures Work Best

Heat pumps are designed to run for longer periods at lower temperatures.

If you frequently adjust the thermostat or allow the house to cool significantly, the system may:

• Increase flow temperature

• Run for longer periods

• Operate less efficiently

👉 Maintaining a steady temperature improves overall performance.

⚠️ Avoid “On/Off” Heating Behaviour

Unlike boilers, heat pumps should not be treated as an on/off system.

Turning the heating on for short periods or switching it off completely overnight can lead to:

• Increased energy usage

• Reduced comfort

• Longer recovery times

⚙️ Thermostat vs System Controls

It’s important to understand that the thermostat is only one part of the system.

Overall performance also depends on:

• Flow temperature

• Weather compensation

• System design and setup

🏠 What If Your Home Still Feels Cold?

If your thermostat is set correctly but your home still struggles to reach temperature, this may indicate an underlying issue.

Common causes include:

• Poor heat distribution

• Undersized radiators

• Incorrect system setup

🧠 What “Good” Looks Like

A well-performing heat pump system should:

• Maintain a steady indoor temperature

• Require minimal thermostat adjustment

• Run smoothly without large fluctuations

• Provide consistent comfort across all rooms

👉 If you find yourself constantly adjusting the thermostat, it’s often a sign that something else isn’t quite right.

Need Help Optimising Your Settings?

If you’re unsure whether your thermostat settings are correct, or your system isn’t performing as expected, it’s often a sign that the system setup needs reviewing.

👉 If you already have a system installed, you can request a full heat pump performance review, where we assess system settings, flow temperatures, and overall performance.

👉 If you’re planning an installation, you can request a pre-installation design & heat loss review to ensure the system is designed correctly from the outset.

Both services provide clear, independent technical advice — no sales, no installation upsell.