By Chris Tulk, Service Engineer at tepeo
As the UK moves into spring, and with summer just around the corner, longer days and milder temperatures mean it’s time to adjust your ZEB and heating system for the warmer months. A little preparation now will keep everything in great shape – saving you money and ensuring your heating is ready when colder weather returns.
1. Gradually Reduce the Amount Your ZEB Charges
As temperatures rise, you won’t need as much heat, so it’s a good idea to gradually lower the amount your ZEB charges. This small adjustment can help reduce your energy bills and minimize standing losses, benefiting both your wallet and the environment.
- If you’re using Smart Charging, your ZEB will automatically adjust its charging behavior based on your heating needs and energy tariff. As the demand for heating drops, your ZEB will naturally charge less, so no manual adjustments are needed.
- If you’re using Custom Charging, you may want to manually reduce the charge level in the tepeo app to match your lower heating demand. This ensures you’re not charging more than necessary, helping to cut costs.
2. Use Away Mode – Don’t Power Off
When you’re ready to turn off your heating for the season, avoid switching your ZEB off at the mains. Doing so prevents it from carrying out essential self-maintenance and could cause issues later on.
Instead, simply activate Away Mode in the tepeo app. This ensures your ZEB:
- Stops following its usual charging schedule (‘Smart’, ‘Basic’ or ‘Custom Charging’ styles) for an undefined period of time or until a preselected return date..
- Uses minimal electricity to keep itself in good condition.
- Can still receive automatic firmware updates and communicate with our team if needed.
You might notice brief charging periods while in Away Mode – this is completely normal and helps prevent the core from going completely cold.
3. Leave Radiator Valves (TRVs) Open
It might be tempting to turn off your radiator valves over the summer, but this can lead to problems. When valves stay in the closed position for too long, they can seize up, which may cause leaks or failure when you come to turn them back on.
Leaving them as they are means they stay free-moving, reducing the risk of issues next winter and they’ll already be set to your preferred temperature when you need them again.
4. Check Smart TRVs
If you use smart TRVs, check the manufacturer’s guidelines for summer settings. Some models may require battery removal or a specific standby mode to keep them in good working order.
5. Adjust Your Thermostat for Summer
If your heating system has a wall-mounted clock or room thermostat, consider adjusting it for the season:
- Traditional wall clocks: Switch to OFF or SUMMER mode.
- Smart thermostats: Update the settings in the app or on the device itself.
That said, if your ZEB is in Away Mode, it will ignore any heating requests, so tweaking your thermostat isn’t essential.
6. Keep Radiators Clean and Check for Issues
Dust and debris can build up behind your radiators, reducing their efficiency over time. A quick clean will help ensure they’re working at full capacity when you need them again.
Use a radiator cleaning brush and a vacuum to remove dust.
Check behind radiators in high-traffic areas and children’s rooms—small objects can easily fall behind them and block airflow.
While you’re at it, inspect radiator valves for any signs of corrosion or leaks. If you spot any issues, it might be worth calling a heating engineer for advice.
7. Review Your Energy Tariff
Summer is a great time to review your energy tariff before winter returns. Energy providers may have new tariff options, so it’s worth checking if a better deal is available based on your recent usage. Finding the best tariff depends on your lifestyle and what other green technologies you have at home, like an electric vehicle or home battery. You can find more information about tariffs here.
At tepeo, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the most out of your ZEB and by following these steps, a little care now will help keep your ZEB and heating system in great condition, ensuring they’re ready to go when you need them again.
If you have any questions about your ZEB, our team is always ready to assist you. Check out our brand new tepeo Help Centre – your go-to resource for troubleshooting, optimisation tips, and expert advice. Whether you’re looking for guidance on setting up your charge schedule, understanding your energy usage, or maximising efficiency, our Help Centre has you covered.