January's cold snap was cold!
It was so cold; even our office, Geordie Neil, was wearing a coat!
Another notable thing that happened last week was the number of calls we got from people who had air source heat pumps that had been installed by other companies, but that just couldn’t keep up.
We spent a LOT of time last week on call out trying to fix these systems to keep everyone as warm and comfortable as possible.
Well, most companies follow the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) guidelines which recommend configuring domestic heat pumps to -3 degrees, which is usually acceptable, but during super cold snaps like last weeks with some areas getting WAY below that - that configuration can cause problems
(At TimesGroup Ltd we configure ours to -7 degrees, which means 100% of our customer's heat pumps were working fine all week)
So why does the -3 make so much difference?
While a heat pump configured to -3 degrees can effectively extract heat from the outside air down to that temperature, its efficiency and output can significantly drop as the mercury plummets further. January's temperatures plunged far below -3 degrees in many areas, pushing these heat pumps beyond their designed operating limits.
As outside temperatures drop, the demand for heat inside our homes naturally increases. This puts additional strain on heat pumps, which may struggle to meet the higher heating requirements during extreme cold spells. The bigger the difference in temperature between the inside and outside, the harder the machine has to work to make up the difference.
Heat pumps operate by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it indoors. In cold weather, frost can build up on the outdoor unit's coils, hindering its ability to absorb heat.
To combat this, heat pumps have a defrost cycle that periodically melts the frost. However, during prolonged periods of extreme cold, the defrost cycle may not be able to keep up with the frost buildup, leading to reduced efficiency and potential system failure.
Many heat pump systems have backup heating elements, such as electric resistance coils, that kick in when the heat pump can't keep up with the demand. However, these backup systems may not be able to fully compensate for the heat pump's reduced output during extreme cold, resulting in insufficient heating.
Regular maintenance is crucial for ensuring optimal heat pump performance. A poorly maintained system may be more susceptible to failure during extreme weather events.
To make sure your heat pump system has been configured and maintained properly, give us a call on 0161 413 6156, and we can run you through the best option for you.
