The Best Heat Pump Settings for UK Homes with Solar Panels
As more households in the UK transition to renewable energy, pairing a heat pump system with solar panels has become a popular choice. Not only does this combination reduce reliance on fossil fuels, but it also helps cut energy bills and improve your home’s efficiency. However, to unlock the full benefits, it’s important to know the best heat pump settings for UK weather conditions.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to optimise your system, maximise solar energy usage, and keep your home warm and efficient year-round.
Why Heat Pumps and Solar Panels Work Well Together
- Energy efficiency – Heat pumps provide up to three times more heating energy than the electricity they consume.
- Solar self-consumption – Using solar panels to power your heat pump means you rely less on the grid.
- Lower bills – By aligning heat pump operation with solar generation, you can drastically reduce your electricity costs.
- Sustainable living – Together, they cut carbon emissions and future-proof your home against rising energy prices.
The Best Heat Pump Settings for UK Climate
The UK’s climate is mild but unpredictable, which means your heat pump should be set up for steady, efficient heating rather than extreme highs or lows.
1. Set a Low Flow Temperature
Heat pumps operate most efficiently at lower flow temperatures, as this improves their Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP). Under the ECO4 scheme, heat pumps typically achieve a SCOP of around 3 – meaning 300% efficiency. In simple terms, for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, the system produces about 3 kWh of heat.
To reach this level of performance, a flow temperature of 55°C is commonly set as the standard. Reducing the flow temperature further can improve efficiency even more, but this requires larger radiators or underfloor heating, and results in radiators feeling cooler to the touch.
In practice, finding the right balance is key: higher temperatures provide faster heating, while lower temperatures maximise efficiency. For most modern, well-insulated UK homes retrofitted under ECO4, a flow temperature of around 55°C strikes the ideal balance, ensuring efficient performance while making the best use of solar energy when available.
2. Use Weather Compensation Controls
Weather compensation adjusts your heat pump output based on the outside temperature. This means your system only works as hard as needed, avoiding wasted energy and keeping your home at a consistent comfort level. Heat pumps installed by Fairway Energy include weather compensation controls as standard.
3. Programme Daytime Heating Around Solar Production
Solar panels generate the most electricity during daylight hours. To maximise self-consumption:
- Schedule hot water heating for late morning to early afternoon.
- Set heating to run slightly more during sunny periods, storing warmth for the evening.
4. Optimise Hot Water Settings
- Keep hot water at around 50°C for daily use.
- The immersion heater is programmed by Fairway Energy on install, for a weekly “pasteurisation cycle” at 60°C to prevent legionella and ensure safety standards.
5. Don’t Constantly Adjust Thermostats
Unlike gas boilers, heat pumps are most efficient when maintaining a steady temperature. Set your thermostat to around 19–24°C (depending on personal preference) and allow the system to work continuously rather than switching it on and off.
Seasonal Adjustments for Heat Pumps in the UK
- Winter: Allow the heat pump to run consistently with a low flow temperature. The weather compensation control will also help to fine-tune.
- Spring/Autumn: Use solar energy for hot water and reduce heating hours as outside temperatures rise.
- Summer: Turn off space heating but continue using solar to power hot water production.
Extra Tips to Boost Efficiency
- Install a smart controller – These can integrate your solar generation data and automatically run your heat pump when solar output is high.
- Improve insulation – The lower the heat loss, the lower the flow temperature your pump needs. Under ECO4, installations include a fabric-first approach and therefore, insulation is usually installed alongside your heat pump and solar panels.
- Contact your energy supplier about the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) – This government scheme allows you to earn money for excess solar energy exported back to the grid, reducing your overall energy bill.
- Regular maintenance – Clean filters and book an annual service to keep performance at its best.
Conclusion
Setting the right heat pump controls in a UK home with solar panels can significantly improve efficiency, comfort, and savings. The key is to run the system at low, steady flow temperatures, align heating and hot water schedules with solar production, and make small seasonal adjustments.
By following these best practices, you’ll not only enjoy a warm and comfortable home but also maximise the financial and environmental benefits of your heat pump and solar panels.
Do you want to check your eligibility for an ECO4 grant?
Gary is the Operations Manager at Fairway Energy and a specialist in renewable energy and technology, with over 15 years’ experience. He has in-depth expertise in energy-efficient measures for residential properties and UK government-backed grant schemes and funding.