In NZ, and especially in Auckland, our weather is known for it’s changeability. One minute we can be battling the humidity and the next a cold snap is upon us. So whether you are battling the sweltering heat or keeping a chill out of your air, your heat pump, or heat pump system is invaluable when it comes to keeping your home at a steady temperature. But, are you really getting the most from your heat pump?
This easy to follow guide will help to make sure you are getting the most from your heat pump, no matter what the weather is doing!
Understanding How Your Heat Pump Works
Heat pumps are an efficient and versatile solution for both heating and cooling your home, but how exactly do they work?
At a basic level, a heat pump works on the principle of heat transfer – moving heat from one place to another rather than generating heat directly. It is this process that enables them to be so incredibly efficient when we compare them to other forms of heating or cooling systems.
During the colder months, your heat pump takes heat from the outside air, even in cold temperatures and transfers it indoors to your home. In the warmer months it works in a reverse process, helping to remove heat from your home and move it outside.
If you have a heat pump in your home, you will know that there are two main components – an indoor and an outdoor unit.
When the heating function is in operation the heat pump’s outdoor unit absorbs heat energy from the air outside and transfers it to the indoor unit via the refrigerant. This is then compressed, which increases its temperature significantly when it reaches the coil in the indoor unit.
When it comes to cooling your home with your heat pump, the process is reversed. The indoor unit takes the heat from your room and moves it to the outdoor unit. The vapour is then condensed back to a cool liquid, which cools down and returns to the indoor unit coil. The fans circulate air across the cold coil which is what provides your home with cool air.
This process of heating or cooling your home is much better for the planet, with low emissions and using less energy that other heating processes.
How To Use Your Heat Pump’s Settings For The Best Comfort In Your Home
Getting to know how to use your Heat Pump’s remote control, whether this is via the physical remote control, or the App on your phone, will help to make sure you are getting the most from your heat pump and using it in the most efficient way.
In this article we will be exploring the features of the Mitsubishi range, but these general principles will apply to most brands.
Operating Modes
Your Mitsubishi Electric heat pump can carry out several different functions including heating, cooling and dry air mode.
To select the mode you are looking to run, press the ‘Mode’ button on your remote and you will move through each of the different modes.
Each mode has a corresponding icon that willl display at the top of the screen to show you which is selected.
Heating Mode
When the winter temperatures hit and we want to heat our homes, the heating mode will help you to keep your home warm.
To select heating, press the ‘Mode’ button and keep pressing until the heating mode is selected, displaying the sun symbol.
You can then use the temperature increase or decrease buttons to set the desired temperature in your room.
We generally recommend setting this between 18-22 degrees to create a comfortable environment. It’s important to note, that setting a high temperature does not heat a room more quickly.
Cooling Mode
In the summer, when you are looking to cool your air, select the cooling mode on your heat pump.
To select cooling, press the ‘Mode’ button and keep pressing until the cooling mode is selected, displaying the snowflake symbol.
Just as with the heating mode, you can then use the temperature increase or decrease buttons to set the desired temperature in your room.
Our recommendation in the summer months is to set this between 18-20 degrees
Auto Mode
In any season, and any weather, if you want to maintain a constant temperature, you can use the Auto Mode. When in this mode, your heat pump will determine if it needs to heat or cool your air to maintain the desired temperature.
Managing the air flow
Another aspect to understand to ensure you are getting the best from your heat pump is how to control the air flow.
All of our heat pumps have a fan setting that allows you to have a higher or lower air flow. This also helps you to heat or cool your room more quickly, by selecting a high fan speed.
You can select any of these fan settings by pressing the fan button until the icon displayed matches the desired fan speed.
If you want to enable the fan speed to adjust to help manage the temperature in your room, you can select the fan auto mode, by selecting the fan icon.
When in this setting your fan speed will adjust automatically to get the room to your set temperature and will drop down to maintain this, usually to a low – medium setting.
Setting the timer on your heat pump
You can control your heat pump with a daily timer so that it will automatically turn on at a set time, within the next 24 hours.
To do this, you will need to first ensure that the time and date settings on your remote control are correct. To start programming your timer, select the Timer On Button, which features a small clock icon and ‘on’.
When doing this, you can select the time that you would like your unit to turn on by using the up and down arrows. For example, if you press the timer on at night when you would usually turn off your heat pump, you can set the time it will automatically come on again in the morning. You will see in our image, the time is set for the heat pump to come on at 8.30am.
When using the timer in this way, you are managing each day at a time. You can also use the weekly timer function which allows you to set up to four start and stop times for each day of the week, creating full control over your heating and cooling in a scheduled way.
Your heat pump is an integral part of your home’s comfort system. When you understand its capabilities and ensuring it is well maintained, you can enjoy an efficient and effective heating and cooling system all year round.
Need help with your heat pump or thinking about an upgrade? Contact our team of heating and cooling experts for our expert and professional advice or for a free quote on 09 827 4784.
