Question 1

What is dynamic-price-based control?

Accepted Answer

Households using a dynamic-price (spot-price) electricity plan can reduce energy costs by shifting consumption from peak periods to lower-priced periods. Each day, the next day's dynamic electricity (spot) prices are published on the Nord Pool / EPEX Spot electricity market. Since electricity prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, the cheapest and most expensive periods vary depending on the day. Therefore, it is wise to automate the largest electricity consumers in the household to reduce consumption during peak-price periods and increase it during the cheapest periods. In most residential buildings, the heating system is the largest energy consumer, accounting for up to 80% of the total energy demand (space heating + domestic hot water). HeatAdapt is specifically designed for buildings heated with air-to-water and ground source heat pumps, enabling them to benefit from daily electricity price fluctuations conveniently and fully automatically.

Question 2

What is the HeatAdapt smart module?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt is specifically designed for air-to-water and ground source heat pumps, making it ideal for homes using a dynamic-price (spot-price) electricity plan to benefit from intraday price fluctuations. Controlling the heat pump based on dynamic electricity (spot) prices is crucial, as heat pumps typically account for 50–80% of a household's annual electricity consumption. Smart control of the heat pump can significantly reduce electricity costs. The HeatAdapt smart module operates by considering the dynamic electricity (spot) price, grid fees, and weather forecasts. It selects the most efficient heating and hot water production patterns based on the day’s spot prices. This ensures the heat pump’s consumption is scheduled during more favourable periods, minimising the impact of peak prices.

Question 3

How does HeatAdapt work?

Accepted Answer

The HeatAdapt smart module retrieves the dynamic electricity (spot) prices daily and considers weather forecasts, grid fees, as well as the characteristics of the building and heating system. Based on this information, it creates a customised heating and hot water schedule for the heat pump. Based on the heating pattern, HeatAdapt manages the heat pump throughout the day, reducing consumption during the most expensive periods and increasing power during cheaper periods . To find the optimal heating pattern, the HeatAdapt team, in collaboration with university researchers, conducted a study during the 2023/24 heating period, measuring the behavior of more than ten Nordic homes with variable-rate electricity contracts.

Question 4

What savings can HeatAdapt deliver?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt delivers average savings of 14% to 24% per year on electricity costs based on 2024 dynamic electricity (spot) prices. Savings may vary on a monthly basis due to fluctuations in Nord Pool / EPEX Spot electricity prices, reaching up to 31% per month. The savings achieved with HeatAdapt vary for each building and depend on factors such as insulation quality, the overall heating system, consumption patterns, and future electricity prices. Since most heat pumps also supply domestic hot water in addition to space heating, HeatAdapt helps reduce costs across both space heating and hot water production. To determine potential savings, an applied study modelled the average savings of more than ten small residential buildings in Nordic climate using the HeatAdapt smart module. The study was conducted in collaboration with university researchers over the entire 2023/24 heating season. During the study, the behaviour of various heat pumps and buildings under price-based control was meticulously measured.

Question 5

Does HeatAdapt also control domestic hot water?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt will also optimise domestic hot water (DHW) production if your heat pump is set up to heat the hot water tank. That means savings continue outside the heating season too, all year round.

Question 6

Does HeatAdapt have a service fee?

Accepted Answer

The HeatAdapt service operates on an annual subscription, which covers the daily retrieval of electricity prices and location-specific weather forecasts, as well as the generation of building-specific heating schedules. The subscription also includes automatic software updates for the HeatAdapt controller. The annual subscription is essential to ensure the long-term functionality of the service. If you discontinue the subscription (e.g., switch to a fixed-rate plan), daily heating schedules will no longer be generated, and price-based control will cease. The service can be resumed later. The first year’s subscription is included with the installation of HeatAdapt. In the following year, HeatAdapt will send a payment link to the user’s email.

Question 7

Is my heat pump supported by HeatAdapt?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt enables electricity price-based control on the air-to-water and ground source heat pumps of 25+ leading manufacturers. A detailed list of supported heat pump manufacturers and a configurator is available on the compatibility page . For specific heat pump model compatibility and control options, please consult with your HeatAdapt dealer or installer.

Question 8

How does HeatAdapt control the heat pump?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt uses the inputs provided by the heat pump manufacturer for controlling the heat pump, typically called smart grid inputs. During peak periods, HeatAdapt restricts or limits space heating and domestic hot water production. Preheating is used during the most favourable periods. The specific control options depend on the heat pump model. HeatAdapt never interrupts the power to the heat pump. As a result, even during peak-price periods, the heat pump’s menu controls remain operational. Depending on the model and heating system, circulation pumps and other components with low energy consumption may continue to operate.

Question 9

What is required to install HeatAdapt?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt is installed next to the heat pump’s indoor unit / controller. A stable WiFi connection at the heat pump location is a prerequisite for installation and the proper functioning of price-based control. If the heat pump is located far from the WiFi router, we recommend installing a WiFi extender in the room between the router and the heat pump. If the heat pump is in the basement, it is advisable to place the WiFi extender in the room above the heat pump.

Question 10

Is HeatAdapt suitable for all houses and heating systems?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt is designed for residential buildings and is compatible with all buildings that have a HeatAdapt-supported air-to-water or ground source heat pump. During the installation of HeatAdapt, the building and heat pump parameters are entered, and based on this, the HeatAdapt control algorithm optimizes the heat pump's operation according to the specific building and heat pump characteristics, weather forecasts, and electricity prices. HeatAdapt has been tested in buildings with both underfloor heating and radiator heating. HeatAdapt Pro is designed for larger buildings where the heat pump's heating capacity exceeds 20kW. This includes larger residential buildings, apartment complexes, commercial buildings, and industrial sites. For HeatAdapt Pro, additional sensors and measurement devices are installed to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of more complex systems.

Question 11

Will the heat pump warranty remain valid if HeatAdapt is installed?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt uses the inputs specified by the heat pump manufacturer for price-based control, according to the manufacturer’s documentation. Many heat pump distributors and installers also sell HeatAdapt to offer their customers even greater savings when using the heat pump. The warranty conditions of the specific heat pump installation company may vary; for example, they may require HeatAdapt installation to be carried out by their own technicians. In case of doubt, we recommend checking with your heat pump installer whether the HeatAdapt installation must be done by them or if it can be performed by a third party.

Question 12

Do I need a buffer tank for HeatAdapt?

Accepted Answer

A buffer tank is not required for using HeatAdapt. Each building acts as a large battery, storing heat in its structure. The thermal capacity of a building’s structure is generally several times greater than that of the water in a typical buffer tank. When heating with a heat pump, it is not efficient to overheat the buffer tank, as this reduces the heat pump’s COP. Nowadays, small buffer tanks are typically installed in heating systems to stabilize the operation of the heat pump, if required for the specific heating system and heat pump combination.

Question 13

Does HeatAdapt work with 15-minute day-ahead prices?

Accepted Answer

The HeatAdapt smart module uses 15-minute Nord Pool / EPEX Spot day-ahead electricity prices. However, for stable operation, it is not optimal to start and stop the heat pump every 15 minutes, as heating systems require longer operating cycles. Therefore, HeatAdapt automatically ensures that control commands are applied for a minimum operating window long enough for stable heat-pump cycles, based on the average dynamic electricity (spot) price. Please note that in many Nord Pool / EPEX Spot regions, smart meters are not yet capable of reporting 15-minute consumption data, which is why electricity billing may still be based on hourly spot prices.

Question 14

How does HeatAdapt work with a hybrid heat pump?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt supports hybrid setups where a heat pump shares the heating load with a second source, typically a gas boiler. The two sources don't run together; HeatAdapt picks whichever is cheaper to run at each moment. You set a price balance point in the app. HeatAdapt then continuously compares the cost of running the heat pump against the gas boiler, factoring in the dynamic electricity price, grid tariffs, and the heat pump's expected COP at the current outdoor temperature. On mild days, when the COP is high and electricity is cheap, the heat pump does the work. During the coldest periods, when electricity is most expensive and the heat pump's COP drops, HeatAdapt hands the load over to the gas boiler.

Question 15

What factors does HeatAdapt consider when creating heating schedules?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt takes into account the building's and heat pump's parameters, electricity market prices, and weather forecasts to automatically determine the optimal heating schedule for each day. The goal is to maximize savings from price fluctuations without compromising comfort. When creating heating schedules, HeatAdapt reduces consumption during peak electricity prices and schedules the heat pump to work more during favourable periods. The number of high-cost periods, during which heating is reduced, depends on the weather forecast. During very cold weather, the capacity cannot be reduced for extended periods due to the building's thermal demand. Depending on the heat pump model, HeatAdapt may also perform preheating of rooms and/or domestic hot water during the most favourable periods, before electricity prices rise. The greater the fluctuations in the electricity market prices for a specific day, the higher the savings from price-based control.

Question 16

How can I adjust HeatAdapt's heating schedules?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt creates daily heating schedules based on electricity market prices, weather forecasts, and the building's and heat pump's characteristics. You can adjust the heating schedule in the HeatAdapt web app by choosing between Comfort , Normal , and Eco . Explanations of heating schedules: Comfort: We recommend using the comfort heating schedule if there are noticeable room temperature fluctuations in normal mode or if there is a high demand for domestic hot water. Normal: Optimal balance between savings and comfort. Eco: Maximises electricity cost savings. However, when using the eco schedule, there is a higher likelihood of the domestic hot water tank running out of hot water. During cold winter months, it is important to monitor that additional electric heaters do not activate excessively after peak periods.

Question 17

Does HeatAdapt account for solar panel production?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt takes into account the output from solar panels. After the installation of HeatAdapt, you can fill in the parameters of your solar park - orientation, tilt and power. In combination with the solar farm data and the solar radiation forecast, HeatAdapt takes into account the expected production and optimises the heating schedule if there is an overproduction in the solar farm. In this way, it is possible to increase self-consumption, especially in spring when there is often good solar farm production and at the same time cold enough for the heat pump to heat actively. If a battery is added to the system, the heat pump control allows for more battery energy to be sold to the grid during peak pricing, or for the stored battery energy to be used for longer coverage of peak price periods.

Question 18

Does HeatAdapt take the heat pump's COP into account?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt takes into account the thermal efficiency (also referred to as "efficiency") of air-to-water heat pumps by timing heating to periods when the combination of spot price and heat pump efficiency is most favourable. When heating with an air-to-water heat pump, the coefficient of performance is significantly influenced by the outside temperature: the higher the outside temperature, the better the COP. HeatAdapt takes the expected COP of the air-to-water heat pump into account when creating price-based heating schedules, using weather forecast data. This allows for reduced energy consumption and increased savings on days with large temperature fluctuations. The coefficient of performance (COP) represents the amount of heat a heat pump can generate from 1 kWh of electricity. For instance, if the heat pump consumes 1 kWh of electricity and produces 3 kWh of heat, its COP is 3.

Question 19

How can I verify that price-based control is working?

Accepted Answer

The price-based control of HeatAdapt is clearly visible during the heating season when comparing the overall electricity consumption data of the house with HeatAdapt's heating schedules. Electricity consumption data can be viewed, for example, via the electricity provider's app. When the market price is high and there are red periods on the HeatAdapt heating schedule, a noticeable decrease in the building's electricity consumption is usually observed. In general, during peak periods, indicated by red periods in the web app, the heat pump's power is significantly reduced or the heat pump operation is paused, and the compressor is not running. For air-to-water heat pumps, this can be checked by seeing if the outdoor unit has shut down. For ground source heat pumps, it can be heard when the compressor is not running. Depending on the heat pump and its settings, lower-temperature domestic hot water production may be allowed during peak periods.

Question 20

How does HeatAdapt behave during an internet outage?

Accepted Answer

In case of internet connection issues, HeatAdapt switches the heat pump to its default operating mode, and price-based control is paused until the connection is restored. If the internet connection is not restored within a short period, HeatAdapt will send an email notification to the user. When the internet connection is restored, HeatAdapt automatically resumes managing dynamic prices.

Question 21

I have a problem with my heating system — what should I do?

Accepted Answer

If the building's heating system is not functioning as expected and the indoor temperature drops, we recommend first checking that the heat pump is running and that there are no error messages on the display. If heating system issues occur shortly after the installation of HeatAdapt, i.e., within 1-2 days, we recommend disabling price-based control in the web app and contacting the company that performed the HeatAdapt installation. If HeatAdapt has been in use for some time, we recommend contacting your heat pump installer or maintenance specialist to identify the cause of the issue. In the meantime, we suggest disabling price-based control in the web app.

Question 22

Can I install HeatAdapt myself?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt must be installed by a qualified professional. The installation of HeatAdapt requires connecting power and signal cables to the heat pump, as well as adjusting the heat pump's settings. Therefore, it is important that the installation is carried out by a qualified specialist. We recommend ordering the HeatAdapt installation from your heat pump installer, maintenance specialist, or HeatAdapt distributor. An overview of the HeatAdapt installation is available in the HeatAdapt installation quick guide .

Question 23

How is HeatAdapt installed?

Accepted Answer

The HeatAdapt installation process has been developed in collaboration with professional heat pump installers to ensure a simple and seamless installation. To simplify the installation, a detailed guide is available in the web app for each HeatAdapt-supported heat pump model , providing instructions for making the signal cable connections and adjusting the heat pump settings. General steps for installation: Start the installation in the HeatAdapt installer web app (for the first installation, you need to create an installer account). Connect power to the HeatAdapt smart module Connect the communication cable and set the heat pump settings according to the web app guide. Please note that guide is tailored based on each model/variation to make the install as simple as possible. Connect HeatAdapt to WiFi and test that different operating modes work as expected. The handover to the customer is done based on the HeatAdapt serial number. There is no need to manually configure the price-based control schedules for HeatAdapt, as they are created automatically based on the building and heat pump parameters. The detailed installation steps are outlined in the HeatAdapt installation quick guide .

Question 24

What are the prerequisites for installing HeatAdapt?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt is a standalone device that is installed next to the heat pump's indoor unit (for example, on the wall). HeatAdapt requires a 230 V AC power supply, which is typically available from the heat pump itself or from a wall socket. Prerequisites: The heat pump must be compatible with HeatAdapt A WiFi signal is required near the heat pump Installation companies and resellers can request wholesale pricing and dedicated support on the HeatAdapt partners page .

Question 25

Where is the HeatAdapt smart module installed?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt is installed next to the heat pump's indoor unit and connected to the heat pump. We do not recommend installing HeatAdapt inside the heat pump to ensure better WiFi signal reception and to avoid exposure to high temperatures.

Question 26

How is the heating schedule logic configured?

Accepted Answer

HeatAdapt takes into account the building and heat pump parameters entered during installation and automatically generates price-based control heating schedules, finding the maximum possible savings based on the specific building, electricity prices, and weather forecasts. The HeatAdapt installer does not need to configure the control logic manually. An example of a heating schedule automatically generated by HeatAdapt: Details: (red) Consumption is restricted during peak periods (green) Increased consumption by preheating space and/or hot water tank (blue) Heat pump operates in normal mode

Question 27

How long does HeatAdapt installation take?

Accepted Answer

The HeatAdapt installation typically takes between 45 to 75 minutes.

Everything homeowners and installers want to know about HeatAdapt.

Most asked

Is HeatAdapt suitable for all houses and heating systems?

Is my heat pump supported by HeatAdapt?

What savings can HeatAdapt deliver?

HeatAdapt overview

What is dynamic-price-based control?

What is the HeatAdapt smart module?

How does HeatAdapt work?

What savings can HeatAdapt deliver?

Does HeatAdapt also control domestic hot water?

Does HeatAdapt have a service fee?

HeatAdapt compatibility

Is my heat pump supported by HeatAdapt?

How does HeatAdapt control the heat pump?

What is required to install HeatAdapt?

Is HeatAdapt suitable for all houses and heating systems?

Will the heat pump warranty remain valid if HeatAdapt is installed?

Do I need a buffer tank for HeatAdapt?

Does HeatAdapt work with 15-minute day-ahead prices?

How does HeatAdapt work with a hybrid heat pump?

For HeatAdapt users

What factors does HeatAdapt consider when creating heating schedules?

How can I adjust HeatAdapt's heating schedules?

Does HeatAdapt account for solar panel production?

Does HeatAdapt take the heat pump's COP into account?

How can I verify that price-based control is working?

How does HeatAdapt behave during an internet outage?

I have a problem with my heating system — what should I do?

Installation & configuration

Can I install HeatAdapt myself?

How is HeatAdapt installed?

What are the prerequisites for installing HeatAdapt?

Where is the HeatAdapt smart module installed?

How is the heating schedule logic configured?

How long does HeatAdapt installation take?

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