The age-old question: Should you leave your heat pump running 24/7 or just turn it on when you need to use it?
14 March 2025
The answer is: no, you don’t need to leave your heat pump running 24/7.
Here’s a practical approach:
- On Demand Heating: Turn your heat pump on when you arrive home.
- Smart Scheduling: If your heat pump has a Wi-Fi or app interface, program it to turn on shortly before you get home.
- Quick Warm Up: If you need a fast temperature boost, increase the fan speed rather than drastically raising the thermostat. Keeping the temperature set to a maximum of 21°C is a good idea.
Important
- Heat mode: Only use heat mode, NEVER use automatic, as this increases power bills dramatically.
- Filter: Regularly vacuum the filters weekly.
- Servicing: Have this done by professionals yearly for optimum efficiency.
Heat pumps are very efficient at quickly reaching the desired temperature from a cold start, so you don’t waste as much energy as you might think. By following these tips, you’ll maximise your heat pump’s efficiency and minimise your energy costs.
Tips For optimal energy savings, it’s generally best to run your heat pump only when you’re home. Modern heat pumps are designed for rapid temperature adjustments, so leaving them on while you’re away is usually unnecessary. According to Consumer NZ, you should only have your heat pump running if you’re at home, as they work rapidly once turned on. “You should only ever have your heat pump running if you’re at home. Heat pumps work rapidly once you turn them on, so don’t bother leaving them on when you’re not there,” says James le Page, product test team leader, writing in a Consumer NZ guide.
Workshops Our in-house expert, Sumaria Beaton – Sikisini, who has conducted numerous workshops over her 20 years of experience, is frequently asked this question. Many people challenge her advice because a technician or electrician has told them that leaving the heat pump running continuously is the best way to use it. We are all responsible collectively for increasing energy costs. The less efficient we are as a collective, the more investment is required in the sector, which results in raising energy costs.
Where did this myth come from? She believes the myth of leaving the heat pump on 24 hours stems from people who turn off the heat pump and then come home and crank the temperature up past 21 degrees. This is compared to those who leave their heat pump on a low temperature setting 24 hours a day, which could result in comparable power bills.
Cautionary situations to leave Heat Pump on 24 hours If a house is extremely well-insulated and air-tight (new build with higher specs), it will not cost much to maintain at about 18 degrees, leaving a heat pump running even when no one is home or overnight.
