Troubleshooting checklist
Check the power: is the main switch for the heat pump, usually near your cylinder or your outside unit, turned on? If you see a red light or a warning symbol on the display, there may be a fault.
Check the temperature: is your thermostat set between 18°C and 21°C? If it’s set lower than the current room temperature, the heat pump will stay on standby.
Check the valves: are your thermostatic valves, at the bottom of your radiators, turned up to 5 or 6? For low and slow heating to work, those valves need to let the gentle heat circulate.
Check the schedule on the programmer: has your heating been set to turn off at certain times of the day? You can use the programming unit to change these settings.
Check the time: heat pumps are like slow cookers, they take time to heat up. If you’ve just turned the thermostat up, it can take an hour or two to feel a difference.
Check the water: if you’ve just used a lot of hot water (maybe the whole family has had a shower after a day at the beach), your hot water cylinder might be in the process of warming back up. You can fast track this process by turning on the immersion heater switch (often on the side of the hot water cylinder) but be aware, this can cost quite a lot more than waiting for the heat pump to warm the water back up.
Check your tariff: if your bills are higher than expected, you might benefit from changing to an electricity tariff specifically designed to give heat pump users lower bills.
Who to call
If you’ve completed these checks and you’re still in the cold, you can get further advice, maintenance, and repairs by contacting our partners at Blue Flame. Call our main number 01209 200200 then choose the heating and electrical option.
Further help
If you want to dive deeper into your heat pump system or find the best energy deals, these independent experts can get you started:
Energy advice and tariffs: Community Energy Plus provide free, independent advice and support to householders in Cornwall so they can enjoy warmer, energy efficient homes as part of a more sustainable future.
Heat pump explainer: The Energy Saving Trust provides a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about living with a heat pump.
Consumer advice: MoneySavingExpert and Which? have dedicated sections on how to make heat pumps cost-effective for your budget.