Heat Pump Advice

[LostinVA]

Okay, it's my first winter in the house. The heat pump is only a year old, seems to technically work fine. HOWEVER: even when I set the thermostat really low at night (55 or so), it still clicks on for loooong stretches all night long. It is not that low in the house, so why is it doing this? Any ideas???

[Doc Sardonic]

1. What type of thermostat do you have?........nt

[LostinVA]

3. I have no idea!

[Doc Sardonic]

5. Does it have digital display or red needles attached to sliders?....nt

[LostinVA]

6. A digital display

[Doc Sardonic]

7. Sounds like it might be defective....

Unfortunately, that will take a pro to determine. If it was the old style
t-stat it would definitely need replacing, but these digital jobs can be tricky.
Regarding the emergency heat that could also be related to a thermostat or other system problem.

[LostinVA]

8. That's what I was thinking

Would it just be cheaper to buy a newer, better one? My Dad is very good with electrical stuff, and I'm sure he could replace it for me this weekend.

[Doc Sardonic]

9. Sure, you could do that....

Just make sure you get one with the correct wire set for your system. In other words one labeled for heat pumps.

[LostinVA]

10. Great -- thanks

I just hope my bill isn't a zillion dollars because of the auxiliary heat.... why does that come on, anyway?

[Doc Sardonic]

11. The emergency heat comes on when

temperature in the house goes a certain number of degrees lower than the set point on the thermostat, usually 4. Also, depending on the system it may kick on if the heat pump runs too long and is not picking up the temperature in the house, but this usually happens only when the outside temperature heads down south of 40 degrees.

[LostinVA]

12. Ah-ha... it's been between 15-25 at night here, so that makes sense

[Ernesto]

2. heat pumps take some "getting used to"

In the early '80's, when HPs came onto the scene, many home owners called my company for service. The usual complaint was that "there ain't no heat comin' out of the vent". After pointing out that while the indoor temp was 70, the outdoor temp was 36, the homeowner would realize that the unit was indeed working.
Heat pumps deliver a lower volume of heat & thus need to run longer than a gas fired furnace of similar size. The most important thing to remember is to always avoid running in the "emergency" mode. This is when the very expensive resistance heat function is operating. "Set-back" thermostats are a MUST.
I built my home 17 years ago & @ that time had the choice of propane furnaces or heat pumps... With today's gas prices, I have finally been vindicated. However, I must admit that my primary heat source is wood and I soon need to upgrade the old HPs because newer units are much more efficient.

[LostinVA]

4. Okay, re: the emergency mode

That happens alot, and we don't know how to stop it! The green light just comes on. I'm afraid we're having a huge bill!!!

What is a set back thermostat? Can I get it at Lowes?

[Ernesto]

14. If the unit is only a year old it may still be in warranty................

Check with the installers of the unit... At very least they can give you some instruction on operation or perhaps realize a problem.
I typed you a lengthy tutorial on heat pump operation just a few hours ago but my DSL went down & I lost the whole thing. Working in the HVAC industry for 30 years, I'm sure that I could bore you to tears but I think the above is good advice since I live in a way different climate than VA.
Good Luck!

[radwriter0555]

13. HOME OWNER'S WARRANTY. Keep it, renew it, use it OFTEN especially

in cases like this.

Pull it out of the file and read it through, chances are good you're still covered.

As successful a real estate investor, I always recommend that homeowners keep, renew AND USE that warranty to the fullest extent possible.