Best Heat Pump and Solar Panel Settings for Spring
Date added: Thu 06 Mar 2025
Not sure when to turn your heating off as the days get warmer? Many homeowners waste energy in the shoulder months - those in-between seasons when it's not quite cold enough for full-blown heating but not warm enough to switch it off - by heating their homes too much or too little. Here’s how to get it just right - saving money while staying comfortable! The key is to transition your heating gradually, making the most of your heat pump, solar panels and battery storage while ensuring you stay warm without wasting energy.
Optimising Your Heat Pump in Mild Weather
One of the easiest ways to adapt your heating in the shoulder months is by adjusting your heat pump settings. Unlike gas boilers, heat pumps work best when running steadily at lower temperatures rather than switching on and off throughout the day. Reducing the flow temperature (the temperature at which heat is delivered to your home) to around 35–45°C can prevent overheating and improve efficiency. If your heat pump has a weather compensation mode, enabling it will allow the system to adjust automatically based on outdoor temperatures, meaning it won’t overwork on a mild day but will still provide warmth when needed. It’s also better to leave the heat pump running at a lower setting rather than switching it off completely, as sudden restarts can be less efficient.
Making the Most of Solar Energy in Spring
With longer daylight hours and increased sunlight, spring is the perfect time to maximize your solar panels and use battery storage to power your heating and appliances more efficiently. To optimize performance, ensure your solar panels are clean and positioned to capture maximum sunlight. Instead of relying on expensive grid electricity in the evenings, a Tesla Powerwall 3 or similar home battery can store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it later when temperatures drop. If your home has solar panels, it’s worth adjusting your heating schedule so the heat pump runs during peak solar production hours—typically between 10 AM and 4 PM—rather than during the evening when grid electricity is more expensive.
Insulation & Draught-Proofing
Another simple yet effective way to keep your home comfortable is by improving insulation and draught-proofing. Even in spring, cold air can creep in through gaps around doors, windows and vents, making heating less effective. Using draught excluders, thermal curtains and weatherstripping can help retain heat without needing to turn up the thermostat. Similarly, keeping internal doors closed helps maintain warmth in the rooms you use most.
Smart Thermostat & Automation for Shoulder Season Comfort
A smart thermostat can make managing your home’s temperature even easier. Many models allow you to control heating remotely, learn your daily routine and adjust automatically to the weather. If you’re out during the day, setting your thermostat to lower the temperature when the house is empty and warm it up just before you return can save energy without compromising comfort. Some systems also offer real-time energy monitoring, helping you track electricity usage and make better decisions about when to heat your home.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Energy Rates
For homeowners on off-peak electricity tariffs, there’s also an opportunity to use cheaper night rates for certain energy needs. If you have a heat pump hot water cylinder, setting it to heat water overnight rather than during peak hours can reduce your energy costs significantly. Similarly, using battery storage to power your heating during expensive periods can help you maximise savings while reducing reliance on the grid.
Transitioning your heating between winter and spring doesn’t have to be complicated. By making small adjustments to your heat pump settings, taking advantage of solar energy and battery storage, improving insulation and using smart controls, you can stay comfortable while keeping energy bills low.
If you’d like to optimise your home’s energy efficiency, The Natural Energy Company can help. Whether it’s upgrading to a heat pump, installing solar panels, or adding a Tesla Powerwall, we’ll work with you to create a system that suits your home and lifestyle. Get in touch today to find out more!