Prioritize Your Heat Pump

Ductless heat pumps deliver heat efficiently over an entire heating season and do it best when maintaining a steady temperature. Set your heat pump’s thermostat to a comfortable level, and your older central system’s thermostat lower than your heat pump. Then leave your heat pump alone. Note that the setting on your heat pump may be higher than you’re used to. Every home is a little bit different and you may need to adjust your settings to maximize comfort and savings. Here are some strategies to consider:

• ZONES/THERMOSTATS/DAMPERS:  It’s important to coordinate the thermostats and operation of your heat pump and central system. If your central system has zones, you should turn down, or off, the thermostat for the zone where the heat pump is located. If your central system isn’t zoned or the zone of the heat pump is large, consider closing dampers, registers, or radiators in the room where the heat pump is located. If that strategy leaves a remote part of your home too cold, increase the temperature on the central system thermostat slightly until the remote area reaches a comfortable level.
• DOORS: If you are trying to heat multiple rooms, be sure to open doors between the heat pump and any rooms you’d like to heat. Conversely, close the doors to adjacent rooms if you are trying to heat only the room where you installed the heat pump.
• FAN: Start off with the fan setting on “Auto Fan.” If that doesn’t spread the heat far enough, set it to the lowest level that will meet your needs. Then adjust the air flow direction for comfort. Generally speaking, warm air is best directed downward. Adjust the vanes to direct air flow where you most need heat.  
• MODES: Because the “Auto Temperature” mode automatically switches between heating and cooling based on indoor temperature, the system could start heating on a cool summer night or cooling on a sunny winter afternoon. It could also lead to heating and cooling battles between HVAC systems. Residential customers should set the heat pump mode to “Heat” in the winter and “Cool” in the summer, rather than using the “Auto Temperature” mode. Your installer may suggest the “Auto Temperature” mode in some commercial settings.