How to get the most from your heat pump with E.ON Next: tariffs, timing and smarter energy use

Using a heat pump can be far more efficient than using a traditional gas or electric boiler, meaning you end up using less energy to warm your home, resulting in lower energy bills.

As heat pumps operate differently to traditional boilers, you should adjust the way you think about heating your home. While an on/off approach works for a gas boiler, heat pumps tend to be more energy-efficient when left consistently on. That means that you may save more by having your heat pump operate for longer.

But greater efficiency is not the only way switching to a heat pump can help cut your energy bill.

Many modern heat pumps give you access to cheaper unit rates during certain times of day when there is less pressure on the energy grid, meaning cost-conscious customers can shift their usage to cheaper hours – this can unlock even deeper savings.

The smart controls included with E.ON Next’s heat pumps make working out how to optimise the efficiency of your heating simple and intuitive, making them a great option for tech-savvy households who want to maximise savings on their energy bills.

TL;DR

• Heat pumps are typically most energy-efficient when left running steadily at a moderate temperature, rather than being switched on and off like a traditional boiler.
• Smart tariffs can further reduce costs by encouraging households to use electricity during cheaper off-peak periods and shift demand away from peak times.
• E.ON Next combines heat pumps with smart controls, dedicated support and optional time-of-use tariffs to help customers optimise efficiency and savings.
• The cheapest way to run a heat pump depends on your lifestyle and tariff, with some households benefiting most from consistent heating, load shifting, or a combination of both.

What is the most efficient way to run a heat pump?

The most energy-efficient way to run a heat pump is by consistently keeping it on at a moderate heat.

This may sound odd, and even counter-intuitive, to owners of traditional gas and electric boilers who are used to turning their heating on and off throughout the day.

The reason for this is because heat pumps work in a fundamentally different way to traditional boilers. Where the latter heat water using electricity or gas, heat pumps instead transfer heat energy from the air outside into your home.

By keeping your heat pump at a consistent temperature, you are effectively letting the heat pump work less hard. It is harder for a heat pump to bring the temperature of your home from 10 degrees to 19 degrees than for it to simply keep it at 19 degrees.

As your heat pump does not have to do as much work by keeping your home at a consistent temperature, it uses less energy, making it more energy-efficient.

And not only does running your heat pump consistently mean you achieve greater energy efficiency, it also means your home remains at a stable temperature all day, rather than yo-yoing when the boiler is turned on and off.

Do E.ON Next heat pumps benefit from cheaper unit rates of energy?

While simply installing a heat pump will not automatically make the unit rate of your electricity cheaper, providers, including E.ON Next, are increasingly allowing households with heat pumps to benefit from cheaper off-peak rates to help customers save money. These are usually called “time-of-use” tariffs or “smart” tariffs.

For example, buying a heat pump with E.ON Next can integrate you with the supplier’s Next Pumped smart tariff that operates dynamic pricing, where electricity is cheaper for you when there is less national demand during the day.

The Next Pumped smart tariff charges you differently during peak hours (4pm to 7pm), “off-peak” hours (7pm to 10pm and 6am to 4pm), and “super off-peak hours” (10pm to 6am).

Smart tariffs provide another potential avenue for heat pump users to realise greater savings without compromising comfort through a process called “load shifting”.

This refers to the process of shifting the hours you use your heat pump to times when the unit rate of electricity is cheaper, reducing overall heating costs.

For example, if you shift your energy usage to make the most of E.ON Next’s Next Pumped tariff’s superior rates, you could save just over £43 a year, assuming 21% of your usage is during super off-peak hours, 60% during off-peak hours, and 19% during peak hours.

While “load shifting” is less efficient and consumes more energy than keeping your heat pump on consistently, it can still bring about savings. This is because, while you are using more energy, the energy you are using can be much cheaper, making it more cost-effective overall.

What is the cheapest way to run a heat pump with E.ON Next?

Working out the most cost-effective way to warm your home with a heat pump can be daunting, especially to new customers, as there is no “one size fits all” approach.

Maximising efficiency and making the most of cheaper smart tariffs are the two main ways households choose to run their heat pumps to increase savings, but which approach is more cost-effective for you will depend on personal factors like, for example, if you primarily work from home or not.

For some, maximising energy efficiency and keeping your heat pump on at a consistent temperature can be a better option, especially if you are on a standard energy tariff.

Meanwhile, those who are able to benefit from smart tariffs may find it cheaper to shift their loads to the hours when electricity is cheapest, even if this may be less energy efficient.

For some, the cheapest way to run their heat pump could even be a combination of the two approaches.

Working out which option is better for you can be daunting, especially for new customers. Thankfully, help is available. E.ON Next’s dedicated heat pump support team helps you work the most cost-effective way for you to warm your home.

Moreover, the smart controls in E.ON Next’s heat pumps deliver intuitive energy management, making optimising efficiency straightforward for households seeking to maximise savings.