How does a heat pump work in winter?

Heat pumps work exactly the same all year round. However, in the winter, the colder temperatures mean that your heat pump will use more energy in order to meet your heating and hot water requirements.

This is why it’s important to ensure that your heat pump is properly maintained and ready for winter, otherwise, you may find that its performance is impacted. In the UK, the average temperature in the winter is between two and seven degrees Celsius, which means by implementing the tips below, you should find that your heat pump isn’t affected.

5 tips for looking after your heat pump in the winter

Woken up to find that your heat pump is covered in ice and snow? Fear not, as this is nothing to worry about. However, to get the most out of your heat pump, there are some precautions to take to ensure it’s running at maximum efficiency.

1. Have your heat pump serviced

The most important step you should take is to ensure that your heat pump is properly maintained. An annual service not only ensures you meet the requirement of the guarantee terms and conditions, but it also helps your heat pump’s performance.

You can have confidence that your heat pump system is running efficiently this winter by booking your annual yearly service with a NIBE Service Engineer.

Some of the checks your engineer will conduct include:

● Any immediate visual issues

● Temperature

● Pipework

● System performance

● Leaks

● Maintenance advice

2. Protect it with a cover

If you are worried about your heat pump being damaged due to severe weather conditions or falling debris, you could either add a canopy or free-standing cover to provide additional protection. It’s important to make sure that any cover you do use doesn’t impact ventilation or airflow.

While finding snow, ice, or leaves on your heat pump isn’t a cause for concern, a cover does limit the possibility of potential blockages and external damage.

3. Insulate your pipes

Insulating any exposed pipework around your heat pump will reduce your energy consumption and prevent any heat from escaping the pipes. One method of doing this involves adding foam tubing around the exposed pipes, helping to reduce heat loss.

This will also help to prevent your pipes from freezing in extreme weather conditions. It’s vital you avoid frozen pipes, as they can damage your system and restrict water from getting to your radiators – causing your heat pump to work harder and be less efficient.

4. Clean air filters and vents

If your heat pump’s air filter is blocked, then it reduces the amount of airflow throughout the system and your home. This means that its performance will be affected and your energy costs may increase.

Try to check your air filters once a month throughout the winter, just to make sure they’re not too dirty. Give them a gentle clean if required.

The same applies to air vents, which allow air to enter the house and flow through different rooms. By using a vacuum cleaner or brush, you should be able to ensure that performance isn’t impacted and your vents stay clean. It’s also worth checking any external vents.

5. Check for leaks

While an engineer will check for leaks as part of a service, it’s always worth checking yourself as well. A leak may occur at any time due to poor airflow or a blockage somewhere in the system. This may be caused by a clogged air filter or a dirty evaporator.

If you do find a leak, it’s worth letting a professional take over and fix it, as the solution may sometimes be complex.

You can maintain a well-balanced indoor climate whatever the weather with the help of NIBE. As a Swedish company, our industry-leading heat pumps have been manufactured and adapted to the challenges of the Nordic climate, so you have added peace of mind knowing that your heat pump is built for harsh winter conditions.

For more information about our heat pumps, get in touch with a member of our team today.