Heat pumps are one of the smartest investments a New Zealand homeowner can make for winter. They’re efficient, fast, and a lot easier to live with than the oil heaters and fan-blowers of years gone by. But while installing one is a great first step, how you use and maintain your heat pump can make all the difference between winter comfort and a power bill that gives you frostbite.
Whether you’ve got a ducted air conditioning setup or a standard wall unit, these tips will help you keep the house cosy and the costs under control.
Set It Right, Then Leave It Alone
One of the most common misconceptions about heat pumps is that higher settings heat the room faster. They don’t. Cranking your residential air conditioning system to 28°C after walking into a cold room isn’t a shortcut; it’s just a quick way to spike your power use. Heat pumps operate most efficiently when they’re allowed to maintain a stable temperature, rather than constantly reacting to sharp adjustments.
The optimal range for comfort and efficiency is between 20–22°C. At this level, your system works steadily, avoiding energy-wasting bursts of output and reducing mechanical strain on the unit. Frequent, drastic changes force your heat pump to constantly shift between heating intensities, which leads to short cycling (a process that not only drains more power but can also wear out components faster).
If your unit has an Auto mode (most modern heat pumps do), use it for temperature and fan speed. Auto mode enables the system to sense changes in room temperature and adjust output accordingly. This prevents the unit from running at full power when it doesn’t need to.
Use Timers to Pre-Warm Efficiently
If your idea of heat pump scheduling is turning it on manually when you’re already cold, you’re missing out on one of the simplest (and most effective) ways to optimise its performance. Built-in timers or smart app scheduling allow you to align heating times with your actual routine, not just when discomfort hits.
Rather than leaving your residential air conditioning system running unnecessarily for hours, set it to switch on 30 minutes before you need the space warmed, like just before your morning alarm or just before you get home from work. By the time you enter the room, it’s already at a comfortable temperature, and you’ve avoided both the discomfort of a cold start and the temptation to crank it higher than necessary.
This strategy is especially effective for residential central air conditioning systems or homes with a ducted heat pump, where warming larger areas takes more time. By programming start-up ahead of schedule, you prevent energy spikes while maintaining even, reliable warmth, without the inefficiency of leaving the unit on all day.
Many newer systems also offer Wi-Fi-enabled control, allowing you to tweak settings remotely. Running late? Adjust the start time from your phone. Going away for the weekend? Set a temporary schedule so you’re not heating an empty home. These small conveniences make a big difference, especially when used consistently throughout winter.
Close Off Unused Rooms (and Use Zoning if You Have It)
Heat pumps are powerful tools, but they’re not limitless. One of the easiest ways to improve both warmth and efficiency is to stop trying to heat parts of the house you’re not using.
Whether you have a high-wall unit or a ducted air conditioning setup, closing internal doors helps to contain warmth and reduce the volume your system has to handle. Heating a single room or defined area takes significantly less energy than trying to warm an entire house, particularly if that house has high ceilings, long hallways, or multiple storeys.
If your home is fitted with a ducted heat pump, take full advantage of the zoning features. Zoning allows you to heat different parts of the home separately, for example, living areas during the day and bedrooms at night. By turning off heating to unoccupied zones, you not only improve the performance in the areas that matter but also cut unnecessary power use.
This approach is especially important in larger homes, where heating every room all the time is simply not cost-effective. Zoning also helps reduce the workload on your system, which means less wear over time and longer system life.
Clean Your Filters Regularly
If your residential air conditioning system isn’t heating the way it used to, chances are the filters are overdue for a clean. Dirty or clogged filters restrict airflow, forcing the system to work harder to push warm air into the room, and the result is less heat, more noise, and a bigger power bill.
Most homeowners are surprised to learn just how much dust, pet hair, and general gunk accumulates in the filters over winter. The problem is especially common in homes with ducted heat pumps, where the system is heating multiple rooms and running for longer periods. Reduced airflow here doesn’t just affect one space; it can throw off the balance of your entire ducted air conditioning system.
Regular filter cleaning is one of the easiest forms of heat pump maintenance, and it doesn’t require any tools or technical knowledge. Simply remove the filters (most slide out easily from the front of the indoor unit), give them a gentle vacuum, or rinse them under cold water and leave to dry completely before reinserting. During winter, you should be checking and cleaning your filters at least once every two months, especially if you’re running the system daily.
Keep Winter Comfortable, Without Burning Through Your Budget
Staying warm this winter doesn’t have to come at the expense of your power bill. By using your heat pump thoughtfully, maintaining it regularly, and making the most of features like zoning and timers, you can enjoy consistent comfort without unnecessary cost.
From expert advice and heat pump maintenance to full heat pump installation, we’ve got the experience, the tools, and the know-how to keep your home warm and efficient all season long.
Book a service, ask a question, or get a quote today. Contact Fonko, and we’ll take care of the rest.