A common belief—but is it really a smart move?
At AirGreen, as specialists in wall-mounted heat pumps in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and South Shore, we often get asked the same question: should you turn off your wall-mounted heat pump at night to save energy? This topic, sitting right at the intersection of home comfort and energy savings, deserves a proper answer backed by field experience and the technical realities of modern HVAC systems.
Our goal here is to go far beyond a simple “yes” or “no”: we want to give you a complete breakdown based on real facts, actual installations, and practical advice, so you can get the most out of your system without sacrificing comfort or wasting money.
How a wall-mounted heat pump works: what you need to know
Before deciding whether turning your heat pump off at night is a good idea, it’s crucial to understand how a wall-mounted heat pump operates.
These systems are hugely popular in areas like Montréal, Laval, and the surrounding regions. They work by capturing heat from the outside air to warm up your home—even in freezing temperatures. Thanks to inverter technology found in models like the Fujitsu KZAH R-32, the Gree Extreme, or the Sharp ZU1, the heat pump automatically adjusts its output to meet your heating or cooling needs, optimizing energy use.
The impact of turning it off at night: savings or a bad idea?
It might seem logical to think that switching off your heat pump at night would help cut down on your electricity bill. But our experience, across hundreds of installations throughout Greater Montréal, shows that this thinking is often counterproductive.
Why?
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High energy usage when restarting: when you turn the system back on in the morning, the difference between the current room temperature and the target setting is usually quite large. This means your system will run at full power for a long stretch, causing a spike in energy consumption.
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Less temperature stability: a full shut-off often results in significant temperature drops overnight—especially in winter. The outcome? Discomfort, poor humidity control, and more heating cycles to get back to the desired temperature.
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Inverter tech is underutilized: modern heat pumps are designed to run continuously at a low output, which is actually more energy-efficient than turning them off and on completely.
Real-life case studies: what we’ve seen in the field
At AirGreen, we recently installed an 18,000 BTU Gree Extreme wall-mounted heat pump in a home in Sainte-Julie, on the South Shore. Two weeks later, the customer called us complaining about higher-than-expected energy bills. Upon inspection, we found out they were turning the system off every night and back on every morning at 6 a.m.
After analyzing the usage with a smart energy monitor and comparing it to a profile where the unit runs continuously at a lower temperature, we demonstrated that the nightly on-off cycle actually caused 18% more energy consumption over a 30-day period.
After following our advice, the client let the heat pump run continuously at a steady temperature. The results? Improved comfort, lower bills, and less strain on the system from frequent restarts.
What does AirGreen recommend?
We generally advise homeowners to let the heat pump run continuously, even at night, with a few simple adjustments:
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Lower the temperature setting slightly overnight (e.g., from 21°C to 19°C).
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Use the built-in timers or eco modes found in most modern units.
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Schedule regular maintenance to keep the system running efficiently—especially during extreme seasons.
Exceptions: when does it make sense to turn off your heat pump at night?
Of course, there are specific situations where turning off your unit might make sense:
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Vacation homes or unoccupied properties.
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Mild summer nights where simple natural ventilation is enough.
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In the event of a compressor failure or other system issues (in which case, contact our team right away).
For these cases, smart programming using your remote or mobile app can help optimize on-off cycles without losing efficiency.
The best models for continuous use
At AirGreen, we prioritize brands and models that are known for their reliable performance in continuous operation:
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Fujitsu KZAH R-32: perfect for year-round use with excellent performance down to -26°C.
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Gree Extreme and Gree Sapphire: ideal for colder areas like Laval or the North Shore, thanks to precise modulation.
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Sharp ZU1: known for its quiet operation at night and steady indoor temperatures.
We’ve installed these units in dozens of homes and small businesses across Longueuil, Pierrefonds, Saint-Lambert, and Oka, with glowing feedback on their balance of comfort and energy efficiency.
Maintenance and nighttime performance
Regular HVAC maintenance, especially before the peak seasons (winter and summer), is key to ensuring top performance—even at night.
We offer custom annual maintenance plans for residents in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and South Shore, tailored to your system, usage, and environment (urban, semi-rural, etc.).
The bottom line
Turning off your wall-mounted heat pump at night may sound like a good idea, but in most cases, it actually goes against energy-saving principles. The latest models are designed to operate continuously at low power, which turns out to be more cost-effective over time.
As your trusted HVAC partner, AirGreen not only helps you choose the right system, but also shows you how to use it wisely—to ensure optimal comfort, real savings, and longer system life.
Looking for personalized advice?
Whether you’re exploring a new wall-mounted heat pump, need professional maintenance, or want expert insights on how to get the most out of your current system, get in touch with us. Our team covers the entire Greater Montréal area, and we’re always happy to guide you with tailored recommendations.