Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the questions out team are most frequently asked. Our team are here if you have any questions, or need a consultation and quote. Please use the button below to get in touch.

Q. How do Heat Pumps work?
A. Heat Pumps (like refrigerators) have a system of pipes containing gas (refrigerant) that is continuously expanding in one part of the system and compressing in another. When the gas is being compressed, it gets hot. The Heat Pump exterior unit, called a condenser, compresses the gas then pumps it to the interior unit where the gas runs over a series of finned coils, giving off heat.
Heat Pumps shift more heat than the electrical energy consumed in compressing the refrigerant or running the fans, making them highly efficient methods of heating.

Q. How much do Heat Pumps cost to install?
A. Each HotChilly quote will be different due to factors such as product choice and location, installation requirements and most importantly your SIZE requirements!
Installation costs vary depending on the size of the unit required, the distance between interior and exterior units, the possibility of extra electrical work and the number of units to be installed. A basic ‘back to back’ system is where the interior and exterior units are on either side of the same exterior house wall. This is the most cost-effective installation but it's not always the best solution.
Therefore, there are no standard prices.

Q. Is size important?
A. Yes! When selecting a Heat Pump for your home it is vital to ensure that it’s sized correctly for the area you are trying to heat. Your needs are not necessarily going to be the same as your friends, or your neighbours.
If your Heat Pump is too small for the area you are trying to heat, it may not be able to reach the temperature you would like it to and will cost you more to run and be less efficient.

Q. Is a Heat Pump the same as a ventilation system?
A. No! A Heat Pump uses refrigeration principles to shift relatively large amounts of heat in or out of a building to warm or cool it. A domestic forced air ventilation system shifts dry air from the ceiling space into the living space, and is predominantly designed to reduce condensation and filter the air entering the home. A ventilation system will not heat your home like a Heat Pump will.

Q. Its cold outside; why is my Heat Pump not working?
A. When the outside air temperature drops below 4-5 degrees, your Heat Pump may go into what is called a defrost mode. In this mode your Heat Pump may not appear to be pumping out hot air. If this is the case, it is best to just leave the unit alone until it has gone through this cycle. This could take an hour or so. If you know it is going to be cold and frostly overnight, it is best to leave your Heat Pump/s running and just turn the temperature down. By doing this, your Heat Pump will not need to work as hard to start in the morning when you really need the heat.

Q. How do I run my Heat Pump correctly?
A. To get the most out of your Heat Pump you need to ensure you are running it efficiently and using the features of the remote effectively. Use your timer to have your Heat Pump turn on an hour or so before you get up in the mornnig and an hour or so before you get home from school or work. Keeping your Heat Pump set at around 20°C is suggested for a comfortable room temperature. Do not run your Heat Pump at 30°C as it is unlikely to reach this and will use unnecessary amounts of energy.
If you are feeling too hot, just turn the temperature down rather then turning your Heat Pump off. The majority of energy is used bringing the room to temperature. Once that temperature is reached the unit will ramp right down and this is when they become their most efficient.

Q. Why won’t my Heat Pump ramp down?
A. Even without adjusting the temperature, your Heat Pump may stop blowing air. This means your unit has reached the set temperature – by ramping down it conserves energy and keeps the room at an even temperature. However if your Heat Pump seems to be running constantly then you may need to look at the space the Heat Pump is trying to heat. Ensure you have doors and curtains closed so the heat is not being lost through gaps and windows.

Check your filters, as clogged filters can also cause your Heat Pump to perform poorly.

Insulating your home is important as well, as it will make a big difference to how effective your Heat Pump is. Good insulation will ensure you are not losing heat through walls, ceilings, windows and doors.

Thermal curtains are also a good idea to help keep the warm air inside in winter and the humid air out in summer. It is also possible to add a thermal backing to existing curtains if you do not wish to replace them entirely.

All these things considered your Heat Pump could also struggle if you have the temperature set too high or your unit is sized incorrectly for the area you are trying to heat. Please refer to our user guide for more information on running your Heat Pump.

Q. How often do I need to clean my Heat Pump?
A. It is important that you check and clean the filters on your indoor unit every couple of months. Keeping the filters clean will help your Heat Pump run efficiently. HotChilly also offer an annual service to every residential customer. This will help your unit to continue to run as specified and to its full capabilities. For more information on how to best keep your filters clean see our user guide.