Answer first
Use weather compensation and a modest setback when asleep or away, then let the system recover gradually. Deep shutdowns can cool the building and force higher water temperatures or backup heat during recovery.
The right schedule depends on heat loss, thermal mass, occupancy, tariff and emitter size. Start with the commissioned settings, make one small change at a time and record comfort and electricity use before changing again.
Energy Saving Trust advises extended operation and a lower setback strategy
View sourcePotential overnight outdoor-temperature drop noted in the operating guidance
View sourceHeat-pump users satisfied with ease of use and control in Nesta’s survey
View sourceNeed help understanding heat-pump controls?
Tell FLO which system you have and what the home is doing. The team can distinguish a settings question from a service or fault issue.
Why a boiler schedule is not the best starting point
A boiler can deliver high-temperature heat quickly. A heat pump is commonly designed to circulate lower-temperature water for longer. Turning it off until the house is cold can create a large recovery demand just when the outside air is coldest.
Energy Saving Trust advises keeping heat pumps on for extended periods and using a setback—a lower target rather than a full shutdown—when the home is empty or occupants are asleep.
Weather compensation should do most of the work
Weather compensation adjusts heating-water temperature as outdoor conditions change. Mild weather needs cooler water; colder weather needs warmer water. The aim is the lowest curve that maintains comfort.
If the curve is too high, electricity use can rise and rooms may overshoot. If it is too low, the home may miss target temperature. Change it cautiously and keep notes, or ask the installer to review it.
Use a setback, not a dramatic drop
A modest overnight or away setback can reduce heat demand while avoiding a long, high-output recovery. The appropriate number is home-specific: a lightweight, draughty building cools differently from a well-insulated masonry home.
Do not copy a temperature schedule from social media without considering emitter size and the commissioned design. If rooms cool quickly or never recover, that may reveal a heat-loss, flow or control problem.
- Record the existing curve and schedule before changing it
- Adjust one setting at a time
- Allow several representative days
- Compare indoor temperature as well as electricity
- Avoid frequent manual boost operation
- Return to the installer if design temperatures are not met
Tariffs can change timing, but comfort comes first
A time-of-use tariff may reward hot-water production or gentle preheating in cheaper periods. It may also penalise heavy evening recovery. Model the whole meter, including appliances, and protect the system’s efficient steady operation.
A smart control can coordinate this, but occupants should understand what it is doing and be able to override it. A low off-peak price is not a saving if the home needs extra high-temperature recovery later.
When “always on” does not mean “always using full power”
An inverter-driven heat pump can modulate, pause when no heat is required and circulate according to its controls. Leaving the heating enabled allows it to respond; it does not mean the compressor draws maximum electricity continuously.
Monitor daily use alongside weather. A gradual increase as temperatures fall is normal. Abrupt unexplained changes, recurring faults or persistent immersion use deserve investigation.
What to read next
Related answers and services
Questions people also ask
Should I turn the heat pump off in summer?+
Space heating can be disabled when not needed while hot water remains scheduled. Follow the manufacturer and installer instructions rather than isolating equipment unnecessarily.
What temperature setback should I use?+
There is no universal number. Use a modest change based on your home’s heat loss and recovery, then measure comfort and consumption.
Why is the heat pump still running when radiators feel lukewarm?+
That can be normal. Heat pumps often deliver gentler heat for longer. Judge room temperature and system status, not radiator temperature alone.
Evidence used for this answer
Figures are explained in context and links go to the independent source. Prices, tariffs, scheme rules and standards can change, so check the source again before making a financial or technical decision.
- Energy Saving Trust: the most efficient way to run a heat pumpGuidance on weather compensation, longer run periods, setbacks, radiators, hot water and smart energy use.
- Nesta: heat-pump user surveyLarge Great Britain survey comparing heat-pump and gas-boiler users on comfort, running costs and controls.
- MCS domestic heat-pump guideConsumer guidance covering design, installation, controls, handover and maintenance.
- Energy Saving Trust: time-of-use tariffsHow half-hourly smart tariffs work, when flexibility helps and what to compare before switching.