Suggestions for operating your new heatpump

From about mid March through to May the mornings are getting cooler and although not “cold” it does get a bit nippy so the heatpump perhaps can be run for an hour or so if desired. During the day considerably warmer temperatures can be felt and cooling may be desired. Running your heatpump in “auto” can cope with these changes. In my experience although a 20 degree setting in “heat” and a 23 degree setting in “cool” is better than a 20 degree overall setting. In the evening the heat of an autumn day lingers and in most modern homes with sufficient insulation additional heat is not required. A short cold snap can trigger a desire for evening heat so the heatpump can be run “as desired”.

The first frosts of the season mean that overnight temperatures get real low and the windows will show condensation. This is the time to set the heatpump into “heat” mode at a 20degree setting while you are relaxing during the evening. Upon retiring for the night leave the heatpump on “heat” at the lowest setting. This will prevent condensation on the windows and maintain the area at a reasonably comfortable level so that when waking it is comfortable enough to rise and shower without the usual shivers when the outside is at zero. You may want to raise the set point at that time and the area will quickly adjust.

If your day sees you off to work you can turn the heatpump off till you arrive home in the late afternoon but my habit is to leave it in “heat” mode so that the days increase in warmth does not bring on the heatpump (leave it on lowest heat setting) till the temperature begins its dramatic fall in true Canterbury style at about 4’ o’clock in the afternoon. Your house will be pleasant to come home to. It takes some shift in normal Kiwi thrifty thinking to leave an appliance on while you are not there to enjoy it.

As winter draws in the benefits of operating your heatpump in this manner become more apparent, particularly during the cold snaps that sweep up from the south. Modern equipment will heat even at below zero temperatures but will need more frequent “rest stops” to defrost the outdoor coil. Leaving the heatpump on reduces the need for the heatpump to operate at full capacity in times of low outdoor conditions.

These are just a few suggestions from my experience with air-conditioning equipment over the last ten years or so. Equipment is evolving all the time at the usual supersonic rate we are becoming accustomed to and is getting better for it, I hope and trust your heatpump will give many years of comfort. Do remember to clean the filters every two months; this is vital so make a note on your calendar or diary.