🔧 1. Heat Pumps Work Differently to Boilers

Traditional boilers are designed to heat a house quickly in short bursts.

Heat pumps are different.

They work best when:

• Running for long periods

• Maintaining a steady temperature

• Operating at lower flow temperatures

👉 This means your thermostat should not be used in the same way as a gas boiler.

🌡️ 2. Best Room Temperature Settings

As a general guide:

• Living areas: 20–21°C

• Bedrooms: 18–20°C

• Hallways: 16–18°C

👉 The key is consistency — not big changes throughout the day.

⏱️ 3. Should You Turn It Off at Night or When You’re Out?

In most cases: No

Turning the system off completely means:

• The house cools down

• The heat pump has to work harder to reheat it

• Efficiency drops

Instead:

• Reduce temperature by 1–2°C maximum

• Let the system “tick over”

👉 Heat pumps are designed to maintain, not recover.

⚙️ 4. Avoid Large Temperature Changes

One of the biggest mistakes:

❌ Setting 16°C during the day
❌ Then 21°C in the evening

This forces the heat pump to run flat out, often at higher flow temperatures, which:

• Reduces efficiency

• Increases running costs

👉 Aim for small, steady adjustments only.

🌦️ 5. Use Weather Compensation (If Available)

Many systems have weather compensation enabled.

This means:

• The heat pump adjusts flow temperature automatically based on outdoor temperature

👉 Your thermostat should then act as a limit, not the main control.

If set up correctly:

• The system runs more efficiently

• Rooms stay more stable

🔥 6. Thermostats vs Radiator Valves (TRVs)

In many heat pump systems:

• The main thermostat controls the system

• TRVs fine-tune individual rooms

However:
❌ Closing too many radiators can reduce system performance
❌ Can cause short cycling or poor flow rates

👉 Ideally:

• Keep most radiators open

• Use small adjustments only

⚠️ 7. Signs Your Settings Are Wrong

You may need adjustments if:

• Heat pump runs constantly but house is still cold

• Electricity bills are higher than expected

• Radiators feel lukewarm

• System frequently turns on and off

💡 8. Real-World Tip

In many of the systems we review, simply adjusting thermostat use and flow temperatures can significantly improve performance without any physical changes to the system.

Need Help Setting Your System Up Properly?

If you’re unsure whether your thermostat and controls are set correctly, we offer a Controller Configuration Review.

You’ll receive:

• Clear, simple instructions tailored to your system

• Recommended temperature and control settings

• Guidance on how to run your system efficiently

👉 No jargon — just straightforward steps you can follow.