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.
If an existing heat pump in Staffordshire feels costly to run, a controls check is often the first thing to look at. For Staffordshire homes with extensions, we plan zones so the new space heats properly without making the heat pump cycle. Hot water schedules in Staffordshire can be timed to suit shift work, school runs or working from home.
Who it suits
- Existing heat pumps that feel expensive to run or slow to respond
- Every new heat pump installation, set up at commissioning
- Homes with an extension, loft room or areas heated at different times
- Homes with solar PV or a battery that want hot water timed to match
Grants and rules for heat pumps in England
In England the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source heat pump (£9,000 if it replaces oil or LPG, from 21 July 2026 to 31 March 2027), and since 28 April 2026 a valid EPC is no longer needed. The grant is applied for by the MCS-certified installer and shown as a deduction on your quote.
There is no VAT on installing a heat pump anywhere in the UK until 31 March 2027. In England most houses can have an air source heat pump under permitted development, provided the unit meets the MCS noise and siting standards; the old 1 m boundary limit was removed on 29 May 2025. We flag listed buildings, flats and sensitive conservation-area positions 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 Staffordshire
We cover 13 towns in Staffordshire for heat pump controls and tariffs. Each links to local guide prices and the grant position for England.
| Town | Postcode district | Nearest town | Midwinter daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoke-on-Trent | ST4 | Newcastle-under-Lyme | 7 h 34 min |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | ST5 | Stoke-on-Trent | 7 h 34 min |
| Burton upon Trent | DE14 | Swadlincote | 7 h 36 min |
| Cannock | WS11 | Burntwood | 7 h 37 min |
| Tamworth | B77 | Lichfield | 7 h 38 min |
| Stafford | ST16 | Stone | 7 h 36 min |
| Lichfield | WS13 | Burntwood | 7 h 37 min |
| Kidsgrove | ST7 | Newcastle-under-Lyme | 7 h 33 min |
| Burntwood | WS7 | Lichfield | 7 h 37 min |
| Rugeley | WS15 | Burntwood | 7 h 36 min |
| Leek | ST13 | Kidsgrove | 7 h 32 min |
| Stone | ST15 | Stoke-on-Trent | 7 h 35 min |
| Uttoxeter | ST14 | Rugeley | 7 h 35 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.
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.
What flow temperature should my heat pump run at?
It depends on the design: the flow temperature is set so your radiators or underfloor heating can heat each room on a cold day. Well-designed systems typically run at around 35–50°C at their coldest, and lower in milder weather through weather compensation. Your design paperwork states the design flow temperature, and we set the heating curve to match it.