Heat pump controls are the settings and devices that decide how warm the water in your heating is, when the heat pump runs and when it heats hot water. The most important is weather compensation, which raises the flow temperature gradually as it gets colder outside and lowers it in milder weather, so the system only ever runs as warm as it needs to.
Homeowners in the Highlands and Islands get a walkthrough of their controls at handover, with a simple written guide to keep. Hot water schedules in the Highlands and Islands can be timed to suit shift work, school runs or working from home. Across the Highlands and Islands and the Highlands and Islands, heating curves are fine-tuned after the first cold spell to suit how each house responds.
Who it suits
- Homes with an extension, loft room or areas heated at different times
- Existing heat pumps that feel expensive to run or slow to respond
- Every new heat pump installation, set up at commissioning
- Homes with solar PV or a battery that want hot water timed to match
Grants and rules for heat pumps in Scotland
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not apply in Scotland. Instead, homeowners in the Highlands and Islands can apply to Home Energy Scotland for a grant of up to £7,500 towards a heat pump, with up to £1,500 more for eligible rural and island homes, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to £7,500. You need a written funding offer before any work starts.
Installing heat pumps is zero-rated for VAT across the UK until 31 March 2027. Scotland has its own permitted development rules for air source heat pumps and its own building standards, so we confirm what applies to your property at survey.
Prices
Weather-compensating controls and set-up are included in every full system price. See the guide prices for full systems.
Towns we cover in the Highlands and Islands
We cover 12 towns in the Highlands and Islands for heat pump controls and tariffs. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for Scotland.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness | IV1 | Dingwall | 6 h 35 min |
| Fort William | PH33 | Oban | 6 h 45 min |
| Aviemore | PH22 | Inverness | 6 h 40 min |
| Dingwall | IV15 | Inverness | 6 h 34 min |
| Kirkwall | KW15 | – | 6 h 11 min |
| Lerwick | ZE1 | – | 5 h 49 min |
| Nairn | IV12 | Forres | 6 h 34 min |
| Portree | IV51 | – | 6 h 36 min |
| Stornoway | HS1 | – | 6 h 24 min |
| Thurso | KW14 | Wick | 6 h 17 min |
| Ullapool | IV26 | Dingwall | 6 h 29 min |
| Wick | KW1 | Thurso | 6 h 20 min |
Heat pump controls and tariffs questions
Why are my radiators only warm, not hot?
That is normal for a heat pump. It heats radiators to a lower temperature than a boiler, so they feel warm rather than hot to the touch, while running longer to keep the room at a steady temperature. If rooms reach the temperature you set, the system is working as designed. If a room stays cold, the settings or radiator size may need checking.
How should I set the hot water on a heat pump?
Most households heat hot water once or twice a day at set times rather than on demand. Timing the main heat for a cheaper tariff period, or for the middle of the day when solar panels generate, helps keep costs down. A weekly legionella cycle raises the water temperature higher, and we schedule it at a sensible time.
Should I turn my heat pump off at night?
Usually not. Switching off lets the house cool, and the heat pump then has to run at a higher flow temperature to recover, which lowers efficiency. A small set-back of 1–2°C overnight is generally more economical. Homes with very good insulation or a time-of-use tariff may suit different patterns, which we can set up.
Can I control my heat pump from my phone?
Many heat pumps offer an app or work with smart thermostats, letting you change temperatures, set schedules and see energy use from your phone. Features vary by make and model, and app control usually needs a reliable internet connection at home. The heating keeps running on its own settings if the connection drops.