7 Easy Tips to Reduce Your Heat Pump Running Costs This Summer
Summer has arrived and just like the last few, it’s going to be a warm one which will see Kiwis turn to their trusted heat pumps and air conditioners to stay cool. Even more-so this year with many people still working from home.
While heat pumps are more energy efficient than ever, Kiwi’s still spend a large amount to run their to run their heat pumps during the summer months. So while we’re all looking forward to relaxing on the couch, watching the cricket, rugby or Netflix, no-one looks forward to a large electricity bill come March. To help avoid this, we’ve put together 7 helpful tips to help you stay cool while also keeping your heat pump running costs down this Summer.
MINIMISE THE AMOUNT OF SPACE YOU ARE TRYING TO COOL
Reducing the amount of space that your heat pump is trying to cool is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay comfortable while reducing energy use. The less space your heat pump has to cool, the less amount of time it will need to run and the less energy it will consume. Only cool the spaces that are being used, close any open doors and block off any entrance ways that may allow the cold air to escape. This is especially important if you are trying to cool either the downstairs or upstairs area of a two storey house.
LIMIT THE LIGHT
We all know that Kiwi’s love the sun. Almost as much as all the indoor plants we’ve accumulated this year! It plays a hug part in our lives and gives us a nice Vitamin D boost but as it hits your windows during the day, it transfers a large amount of heat into your home. Great in winter but not so great on those really hot summer days when you’re trying to stay cool.
Where possible try and keep your curtains, blinds or shutters closed. This will help keep your space cooler and those few extra degrees will mean less work for your heat pump, especially during the warmer parts of the day.
MAKE USE OF TIMERS
Most split systems and ducted systems will have several timer functions allowing you to control when your unit turns on and off. Set this up to turn on only when required and be sure to activate the sleep timer when going to bed – this will stop your unit running all night long.
KEEP A CONSTANT AND REASONABLE TEMPERATURE
Setting your system at an excessively low temperature will mean it will have to work harder and longer to reach the set temperature and in turn, use more energy. Estimates show that every that one degree cooler in summer adds around 10% to the amount of electricity that the heat pump uses. IE: Setting the temperature at 22oC instead of 24oC could cost approx. 20% more in hourly running costs.
When using cooling mode in summer, we recommend setting the temperature between 24oC and 26oC and avoid changing this during operation. This should ensure everyone’s comfortable and that you’re unit isn’t working too hard.
CHECK THE FILTERS
If the filter in your split system or ducted system is dirty, your unit will be working overtime to take in sufficient air and in turn, using more energy than it should. Ensuring your filters are clean is paramount in ensuring your split system is running as efficiency as possible so give them a clean before this cold season. You can refer to your user manual for filter locations and the best way to clean them or check out our handy blog on how to clean your filters.
SEEK OUT THOSE DRAUGHTS
Even with the doors and windows closed, warm draughts will drastically increase room temperature – especially if it’s windy outside. To prevent these, cover up any gaps underneath your doors with a door snake and check the seals around your windowsills. While they may only be only small, all these small draughts will add up and your heat pump will have to work harder to keep you and your space cool during summer.
HAVE YOUR UNIT SERVICED REGULARLY
Cleaning the filter of your split system or ducted unit regularly is great, however it’s also important to have your unit serviced regularly to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible. A technician will be able to check the internal components as well as gas levels and a range of other things to ensure your unit is running at optimal efficiency going into summer.
To learn more about how much your heat pump costs to run, check out EECA’s handy calculator.
If you’re looking for an efficient cooling solution for your home, check our range of energy efficient reverse cycle split systems or our ducted systems. Otherwise, get in touch with your local MHI installer our stockist locator – they’ll be more than happy recommend the perfect system for your home.
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