Posts tagged #scheduling

Samsung heat pump: the best electricity tariff to pair with it in 2026

Samsung heat pumps are widely installed across the UK, particularly the EHS monobloc and split ranges. They have capable built-in scheduling and SmartThings integration — which means they align well with time-of-use tariffs. The right tariff depends on whether you're using the built-in controller alone or have SmartThings or Home Assistant in the mix.

Vaillant Arotherm heat pump: the best electricity tariff to pair with it in 2026

The Vaillant Arotherm is one of the UK's most widely installed heat pumps. It's efficient, reliable, and has a mature controls ecosystem — but the scheduling flexibility you have depends on which controller you're using. That matters enormously for tariff choice: a heat pump that can schedule around off-peak windows can save £200–£400 more per year than one that can't. Here's how the Arotherm's controls map to the available tariffs.

How to load-shift with a heat pump: cut your electricity bill by £200–£400 a year

Time-of-use tariffs offer rates as low as 14–17p/kWh during off-peak windows — roughly half the standard cap rate of 24.7p. But you only capture those savings if your heat pump actually runs during the cheap hours. Load-shifting moves your heating and hot water consumption into those windows. Done well, it's worth £200–£400 a year on the right tariff. This guide explains how to do it, what controls you need, and what’s realistic without it becoming a hobby.

Heat pump hot water: when to heat your cylinder (and when not to)

Hot water is the easiest load to shift on a time-of-use tariff — and the most valuable. A 200-litre cylinder reheated during a cheap window at 14p/kWh instead of the 24.7p standard rate saves the cost difference on every single litre, every single day. This guide covers how heat pump hot water works differently from a boiler, why timing matters, and how to set a schedule that captures the saving without ever running out of hot water.