Heat Pumps: How to Keep Cool and Drive Down Power Costs During Summer

Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s a good time to start thinking about your cooling options. For heat pump owners, the good news is you probably won’t have to look too far, given that most models also come with the capacity to cool. When using a heat pump’s cooling mode, it functions like a traditional air conditioner, helping to keep your household cool and comfortable during the warmer months.

However, before reaching for the power switch, it’s worthwhile weighing up your household’s best options. There may well be a number of simple modifications you can make to keep your property cool and drive down electricity expenses. Meanwhile, the trusty old fan (ceiling or pedestal) can be harnessed to deliver cheaper cooling, potentially in conjunction with a heat pump.

In the following guide, we look at how heat pumps cool, along with heat pump pros and cons, how a strategically deployed fan (used in conjunction with a heat pump) can help to drive down power bills, and other factors to keep in mind before flicking the switch.

How do heat pumps cool?

As advised via the Gen Less website, over 40% of New Zealand households have a heat pump. If you have a reverse cycle heat pump, you’ll be able to use both the heating and cooling modes when required, switching to air conditioning when the weather heats up.

As the name implies, reverse cycle units effectively reverse the heating and cooling processes. In winter, a heat pump extracts heat from cold air outside, distributing it inside your home, while in summer it extracts heat from air inside and transfers it outside.

When it comes to energy efficiency, you should refer to your heat pump’s Energy Rating Label, which provides information about its heating and cooling efficiency. The new Zoned Energy Rating Label also provides insight into how heat pumps will perform in different climate zones.

If you’re shopping for a new heat pump, Gen Less’ Efficient Appliance Calculator is a good starting point. The calculator is designed to help you compare different models and find the best type of heat pump for your home.

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Keeping it cool: Heat pump pros and cons

Of course, if you’ve already got a heat pump installed, you’ll be able to use it for cooling when required. However, if you’re looking to purchase a new unit, the initial cost can be quite expensive compared to other heating and cooling options.

With this in mind, you’ll need to weigh up the initial costs versus the long-term running costs. A heat pump is very much a long-term investment, and it’s important to compare its energy efficiency to other appliances.

You’ll need to look to the future and consider how a heat pump could help reduce your power bills at different times of the year.

Heat pump pros

Of course, a key heat pump pro is that reverse cycle units provide both heating and cooling. This potentially means that you’ll be able to use the one appliance throughout the year, cutting down on appliance clutter.

Other pros include:

• Many units are compact and unobtrusive, having been designed for high wall-mounting (providing remote control operation)
• Extremely energy-efficient units are available (in particular, comparing very well with other heating options). As advised above, you should refer to the Energy Rating Label/Zoned Energy Rating Label
• Ducted systems can heat and cool many rooms at once
• You can use the thermostat to set a preferred temperature
• The timer can be used to automatically heat and cool at preferred times

Heat pump cons

Heat pumps are generally designed to be installed as a fixed household appliance, as opposed to some other portable heating and cooling options. For this reason, they may not be a feasible option for renters.

Although it’s worth noting that the Healthy Homes Standards dictate that an efficient fixed heating device that is capable of warming the living room to 18°C is required in rental properties. And because inefficient, unaffordable or unhealthy heaters like unflued gas heaters, open fires, electric heaters (not heat pumps) with a heating capacity of greater than 2.4kW are not accepted, a heat pump is the most likely method of meeting this standard.

So if your rental is without a heat pump, it could be worth speaking with your landlord.

Other cons include:

• As opposed to the comparatively energy-efficient heating provided by some units, they can be expensive to use for cooling compared to other options, such as fans
• Don’t work during power cuts
• May struggle in larger spaces (you’ll need to ensure you have an appropriately sized unit)
• You’ll need to undertake maintenance and have your unit serviced at intervals (according to manufacturer instructions)
• Repairs can potentially be expensive

Combined cooling: Using your heat pump with a fan

It may well be that a strategically placed fan (along with other cooling techniques – see below) will be enough to keep you cool during the warmer months. However, if you require an extra level of cooling, you may also want to consider if a heat pump used in combination with a fan will be capable of getting the job done.

For instance, you could use your heat pump for a short burst to initially cool a room, getting it to your desired temperature. Next, you can deploy a ceiling or pedestal fan to circulate the chilled air, helping to drive down your power bills.

Fans, of course, circulate air rather than chilling it, meaning they use far less electricity than heat pumps. Using the two appliances in conjunction with each other may take a bit of planning, but is one way of staving off high power bills.

As we’ll look at below, there are also a number of other steps you can take before even flicking the switch. More than anything, it is a matter of being prepared and proactive once the hot weather arrives.

Keeping cool without flicking the switch

It is worthwhile weighing up the full range of your cooling options before turning on your heat pump or other appliances. It may surprise you how cool you can keep your home by taking a few simple steps, and this will of course contribute to lowering your power bills.

If you are looking to build or buy a property, house orientation is an important consideration. The Smarter Homes website notes an ideal orientation means getting the right amount of sun and wind, harnessing the sun’s energy for heating and breezes for cooling as required.

Other steps you can take to promote cooling include:

• Curtains and blinds – can be used to keep out the sun
• Open doors and windows – in different rooms to move air through your home (security latches can be fitted to leave windows open while you’re out)
• Plant deciduous trees – can be used to create shade for your house during the summer
• External window shades – such as blinds, awnings or louvres can be used to keep the sun out
• Eaves or roof overhangs – built above north-facing windows can also block the summer sun

A combination of these steps and energy-efficient cooling can contribute to driving down your power costs during the summer months. Of course, it is worthwhile considering the cumulative impact of all these measures when it comes to keeping cool.

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About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar author Martin Kovacs. Martin is a freelance writer with experience covering the business, consumer technology and utilities sectors. Martin has written about a wide range of topics across both print and digital publications, including the manner in which industry continues to adapt and evolve amid the rollout of new technologies.