Heat Pump Operation
 

We have never had a heat pump before so do not know how they are supposed to work. Looking for some experienced feedback.

Our house was built in 2008. I can not find any significant drafts or cold air leaks. It was cold this morning, about 35 degrees. The heat pump was running between 35 and 45 minutes of each hour. Is that normal?

Up north our furnace was running about 15 minutes of each hour and it was 5 degrees outside. Maybe they just work different???

Thanks for any feedback.

thats normal and dont be surpized if it ran longer. a heat pump work by drawing heat from the outside air and if its cold like it was this morning it needs to use your auxulilary (electric resistance) heating to give it a boost. A heat pump does not blow he same hot air out as your furnace up north it, blows a warm air for a longer period of time. At 5 degrees a heat pump is almost useless for it would use all electric resistance to heat your house. Heat pumps work best between 32-45 degrees outside.
When you know your electric resistance heating is working...go look at your electric meter spin...WOW!

Here in KC, our heat pump is backed up with natural gas. When the temp reaches 38*, the heat pump is bypassed and gas heat kicks in. Lately, THE GAS HAS BEEN FLOWING!! :eek:

Many years ago I had a heat pump in my house in Charleston, SC. The first time I used it I thought it was not working. The air coming from the vents felt cool. I had it inspected and the unit was working perfectly according to the technician. Temperature of air coming from the vent was warmer than the air in the room but not by much. My recollection was that it ran a lot and I never felt warm air.

The newer SEER 18 (and above) are much more efficient. The air will not ever feel hot or even wrm when the outside temps are mid 30 and below. You can set the heat strips to kick in at select temps to avoid extended use. And the unit will tend to run almost all day long in extreme cold.

The air coming from the register may feel cool but it is warm....just not a wrm as gas heat. You can always put a themometer in the grill opening and check the temp. You will be surprised.

Heat pumps in cold weather just are not as warm as gas...period.

They are about the same as plugging in your toaster and putting a fan behind it.

Try EMHeat Selection on Thermostat
 

Instead of selecting "Heat" on your thermostat, click on "EMHeat" and run it like that for about 30 mins. Got that tip from the MUNN'S guy when he was here to run a new vent for my addition. Works like a charm AND the air coming out is warm. You'll feel it right away. After about 30 mins, I can turn the heat off and it stays comfortable.

Let us know how you make out....

EMHeat is nothing more than emergency heat which are the electric resistance heat strips. The goal of your heat system should be to use these strips as little as possible for it is very costly when they kick in. When you use the heat or heat pump, yes you will get warm air flowing through your vents but this setting will automatically kick in the electric heat strips when needed. It is not advisable to be using the EMHEAT setting on a routine basis.

It is normal for the heat to run that long when the temperature gets in the 30's. The heat pumps don't deliver the heat that the gas furnaces do. Heat Pumps cost less to run.