By Team JSR

A heat pump is an efficient way to warm your home during the winter, and with the correct settings, it can be more economical than you might expect. Whether you’re aiming to lower your heating expenses, enhance your comfort, or both, understanding how to optimise your heatpump unit is essential.

In this guide, we outline the ideal temperature settings for heatpump in New Zealand households during winter and highlight key habits that can help you save money throughout the cooler months. Explore our 2024 Winter Heating Guide for more ideas on keeping yourself cosy.

What Are The Recommended Winter Heat Pump Setting For NZ?

Generally, it’s advisable to set your heatpump temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius during winter. This range provides a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency for most areas in New Zealand.
However, the ideal temperature for your home may vary based on several factors, such as your location, the level of insulation in your home, and your personal preferences and comfort levels.

Does the Temperature of My AC Really Matter?

Selecting the appropriate temperature settings for your heatpump is crucial for many reasons. The ideal temperature can:

• Improve comfort levels for everyone in the house
• Protect your health and enhance indoor air quality
• Increase the energy efficiency of your heatpump unit
• Reduce home costs, saving you money on your electricity bill

What’s the Ideal Heatpump Temperature Setting For Winter?

In the colder months in New Zealand, it’s advisable to set your heat pump to a range of 18-22 degrees Celsius. While this might seem low for keeping your home extra toasty in the winter, setting the unit to very high temperatures will consume much more energy and put unnecessary strain on your heat pump.
If it’s cold enough that you want to run the heating all night, reduce the temperature to around 16-18 degrees. This will ensure you wake up cosy while keeping your heat pump usage cost-efficient.

What is the Most Efficient Temperature to Set Your Heatpump To?

While it might seem straightforward to use the heat setting on your heatpump during winter, there are other useful settings on your split system heatpump that can enhance efficiency and comfort. Besides heat mode, you can utilise dry mode, eco mode, sleep mode, and turbo mode.

Though these modes differ slightly in energy consumption, opting for an energy-efficient heatpump model can lead to significant energy savings overall.

Dry mode tends to be more energy efficient than heating and cooling modes, but keep in mind that it’s not as effective on very cold or very hot days.

When to Use the Heatpump Dry Mode in Winter?

Dry mode in your AC system reduces humidity levels in the room and is ideal for use when there’s a lot of moisture in the air. If you live in a region with mild, wet winters, dry mode can enhance comfort by removing excess moisture from the air and circulating clean, dry air back into the room.

Tips for Maximising AC Energy Efficiency in Winter

Maximising the energy efficiency of your heatpump in winter goes beyond just setting the right temperature. Factors like home insulation, heatpump condition, and household habits play crucial roles in optimising efficiency. Here are effective ways to enhance your heatpump’s energy efficiency:

• Insulate Your Home: Improve insulation to reduce heat loss.
• Seal Air Gaps: Close gaps around doors and windows to prevent heat leakage.
• Close Unused Room Doors: Focus heating efforts on occupied spaces.
• Upgrade to Double or Triple Glazed Windows: Enhance thermal insulation.
• Clean or Replace Air Filters: Maintain optimal airflow and efficiency.
• Regularly Service Your AC Unit: Ensure peak performance and longevity.

By implementing these measures, you can significantly improve your heatpump’s efficiency during the winter months, reducing energy consumption and costs.

By Team JSR

Stay warm, healthy, and dry this winter with our 2024 comprehensive guide. Whether you’re a home-owner or a renter, these tips will help you create a cozy and cost-effective living environment.

Four Steps To A Warm and Drier Home

Insulation, heating, ventilation, and dampness control work together to maintain a comfortable and healthy home. As winter approaches, balancing warmth and affordability becomes crucial. Follow these steps to ensure a warmer home this winter:

1. Insulation

Why it’s important: Insulation is the key to a comfortable home during winter. It helps retain heat, making it easier and cheaper to keep your home warm.

Different ways for improving home insulation:

• Attic Insulation: Adding insulation to your attic helps prevent heat from escaping through the roof.
• Wall Insulation: Filling cavity walls with insulation material or adding insulating boards to solid walls.
• Floor Insulation: Using insulating materials under floorboards or installing carpet to reduce heat loss through floors.
• Window Insulation: Applying weather stripping, using thermal curtains, or installing double-glazed windows to reduce drafts and heat loss.
• Door Insulation: Sealing gaps around doors with weather stripping or using draft excluders.
• Pipe Insulation: Wrapping hot water pipes with insulating material to retain heat and prevent freezing.
• Loft Hatch Insulation: Adding insulation around the loft hatch to prevent warm air from escaping.
• Basement Insulation: Insulating basement walls and ceilings to reduce heat loss from below the house.
• Radiator Reflectors: Placing reflective panels behind radiators to direct heat back into the room.
• Exterior Insulation: Applying insulation to the exterior walls to improve overall thermal

2. Dampness Control

Different ways for improving dampness:

• Use a Dehumidifier: Place portable dehumidifiers in damp-prone areas to reduce moisture levels.
• Open Windows Regularly: Briefly open windows each day to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce indoor humidity.
• Use Exhaust Fans: Turn on exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to expel moisture-laden air.
• Wipe Down Surfaces: Regularly wipe down windowsills and other surfaces where condensation forms.
• Dry Clothes Outside: Hang laundry outside or in a well-ventilated area instead of drying clothes indoors.
• Install Moisture Absorbers: Place moisture-absorbing crystals or packets in closets and small, enclosed spaces.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: Repair any leaks in roofs, pipes, and faucets to prevent water accumulation.
• Keep Gutters Clean: Ensure gutters are clear of debris to prevent water overflow and seepage into walls.
• Use Bathroom Rugs: Lay down absorbent mats in the bathroom to capture water spills and reduce floor dampness.
• Seal Gaps and Cracks: Use caulk or weather stripping to seal gaps around windows and doors where moisture can enter.

3. Ventilation

Why it’s important: Proper ventilation maintains good air quality and removes daily moisture. Striking the right balance is essential—too much ventilation can make it hard to keep your home warm, while too little can lead to poor air quality.

Different ways for improving ventilation:

• Use Exhaust Fans: Operate exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove moisture and stale air.
• Open Windows Briefly: Open windows for short periods daily to allow fresh air to circulate without significantly losing heat.
• Trickle Vents: Install trickle vents on windows to allow continuous airflow while keeping windows closed.
• Ceiling Fans: Use ceiling fans set to winter mode (clockwise) to circulate warm air and improve ventilation.
• Window Ventilation Locks: Use window locks that allow windows to be left slightly open for ventilation without compromising security.
• Air Bricks: Ensure air bricks and vents are unblocked to allow airflow under floors and within cavity walls.
• Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR): Install an MVHR system to provide fresh air while recovering heat from outgoing air.
• Door Grilles: Install grilles or vents in interior doors to facilitate airflow between rooms.
• Cross-Ventilation: Create cross-ventilation by opening windows or vents on opposite sides of the home to allow fresh air to flow through.
• Regularly Clean Vents and Filters: Clean air vents and replace filters in ventilation systems to maintain efficient airflow and air quality.

4. Heating

Why it’s important: Even with good insulation and ventilation, your home will need a reliable heat source to stay warm and dry. Be mindful of your choice of heater and fuel, as they significantly impact your winter energy bills.

Different ways for improving warmth:

• Central Heating Systems: Use a gas, oil, or electric central heating system with radiators or underfloor heating.
• Space Heaters: Utilise portable electric heaters, such as fan heaters, oil-filled radiators, or ceramic heaters, for additional warmth.
• Heat Pumps: Install air-source or ground-source heat pumps for efficient heating.
• Wood Stoves and Fireplaces: Use wood-burning stoves or fireplaces for a traditional and cozy heat source.
• Pellet Stoves: Opt for pellet stoves that burn compressed wood or biomass pellets.
• Electric Blankets: Use electric blankets or heated mattress pads to keep beds warm.
• Infrared Heaters: Install infrared heaters that warm objects and people directly, rather than heating the air.
• Radiant Floor Heating: Use electric or hydronic radiant floor heating systems to warm floors and provide consistent heat.
• Gas Heaters: Employ portable gas heaters, ensuring proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
• Smart Thermostats: Install smart thermostats to optimise heating schedules and improve energy efficiency.

Tackling Dampness

Dampness is the primary enemy in your quest for a warm and healthy home. Reducing dampness improves comfort and health, as damp air requires more energy to heat. Simple and cost-effective measures can significantly decrease moisture levels in your home.

Ventilation is crucial for removing damp and stale air. It’s a delicate balance: too much ventilation makes it hard to keep your home warm, while too little can degrade air quality. Aim to find the right equilibrium for your home.

By Team JSR

In the sweltering heat of summer, air conditioning has evolved into an important aspect of our daily lives, offering refreshing comfort and summer cooling. With ongoing technological advancements, the horizon of air conditioning is filled with promising innovations and trends set to transform our cooling experiences. A noteworthy aspect of this forthcoming era is the seamless integration of air-to-water heat pump systems into traditional air conditioning setups. Join us as we delve into the pivotal advantages and considerations that position air source heat pumps as a substantial trend in the future landscape of air conditioning.

Energy Efficiency

Famous for their outstanding energy efficiency, air source heat pumps stand out in comparison to conventional air conditioning systems. While traditional systems depend on electricity to cool the air, modern heat pumps harness the existing heat energy in the surrounding air. Through the transfer of heat rather than its generation, these systems achieve remarkable energy preservation. Recognised to be up to three times more efficient than standard heating and cooling setups, air source heat pumps not only bring substantial cost savings but also contribute to a diminished environmental footprint.

Dual Heating and Cooling

A stand-out characteristic of air source heat pumps is their capacity to offer both heating and cooling functionalities. In contrast to traditional air conditioners that singularly concentrate on cooling, heat pumps can seamlessly reverse their operation to emit warm air in colder seasons. This dual functionality positions heat pumps as comprehensive solutions for year-round comfort, negating the necessity for separate heating and cooling systems. Additionally, air source heat pumps utilize the ambient air as a renewable energy source. Given the availability of air, the heat pump consistently extracts heat, ensuring efficient cooling or heating. This reliance on renewable energy not only diminishes the carbon footprint, but also aligns with sustainability objectives.

Environmental Advantages

In comparison to conventional air conditioning systems, air source heat pumps exhibit a considerably reduced environmental footprint. Harnessing heat energy from the air, these systems diminish the reliance on burning fossil fuels for heating or cooling, consequently minimising greenhouse gas emissions. Adopting this eco-conscious approach is imperative for cultivating a sustainable future in New Zealand.

Advanced Technology

Technological progress has significantly elevated the performance and efficiency of air source heat pumps. Breakthroughs like variable-speed compressors, cutting-edge refrigerants, and intelligent controls have heightened the efficiency, reliability, and user-friendliness of heat pumps. The incorporation of variable-speed compressors enables the system to dynamically adapt its operations according to the cooling or heating requirements, guaranteeing optimal energy usage and comfort.

By Team JSR

As the summer is about to kick-off, you can keep yourself and your home cool, and look after the environment at the same time.

For many kiwis, summer means giving a couple of snags off the barbie, hours of entertainment with hitting the swing ball set in the backyard or dipping in the pools with your mates.

But some days are harsher when the hot heat from the sun isn’t quite fun to lay under, forcing you to crank up the air-con, the only option you’ll have.

We’ve gathered 10 tips to help you and your home keep cool, saving you costs, and being kind to the planet:

1. Close your home blinds

Block the sun heat by closing your curtains or blinds, specially where the sun is facing. Your home should cool off significantly using this tip. To make it even better, invest in a stylish block-out curtain, helping you keep out hot sunlight and reduces heat by creating a perfect oasis for you to relax after a tiring workday.

2. Block the heat

The more heat you stop from entering your home, the less you’ll have to spend on cooling. Shade your windows or walls using external coverings. E.g. blinds, awnings, or large potted plants. Planting large potted plants or sometimes deciduous trees adds a protective shade over your home throughout summer.

3. Increase Thermostat Temperature by 1°C

Do you use your heat pump for cooling? Set the thermostat to 22°C and 24°C. By just increasing the heat pump temperature from 1°C, you will reduce the cost of your appliance.

If you’re looking to upgrade your heat pump or air conditioning system, choose a high energy star rating system. Consult with your local HVAC technician to help you choose the system for your home.

4. Shut doors and seal any openings.

Close doors of the areas where you don’t require cool air to go. Seal any openings around doors & windows. For doors gaps, you could also place a cloth or towel for cool air to not escape.