Heat pump can not keep up with cold weather, should I only run emergency heat?
September 1st, 2010 at 8:54
Question by Jeff: Heat pump can not keep up with cold weather, should I only run emergency heat?
Is it wise to only run the “emergency heat” on days when temperatures get in the low 20s or teens. Seems like the HP runs all day along with the auxiliary and since both systems are pulling 240V it seems like a waste of money to run both, when you can just run emergency heat and it is guaranteed to produce hotter air and it is the only one running on 240V. Then move the thermostat back to normal when temp goes back up outside? Is this wise to do, or is it better to let them run together and consume so much more electricity? I am just trying to figure out the most efficient way to do this. Any Professional help would be appreciated.
Thanks
I want to add that this is in Ohio, and teperatures are easily into the 20s and teens throughout the winter! I just need to know if it is beneficial to run only the emergency when its that cold…versus having both systems run at the 240V each. Will it also get it warmer faster.
Best answer:
Answer by Peter W
Your system should make the transition automatically. When the outside temperature drops below a certain level, an air-cooled heat-pump cannot function and so must shift to electric (emergency) back-up heat. Depending on the system that threshold temperature can vary somewhere around 40-45F.
If not, just keep an eye on the outside temperature, when it reaches 45F or so, be prepared to switch to “emergency”. You can force it to run on electric-only, but that is typically more costly than operating it in automatic mode on transitional days.
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Tags: cold, emergency, heat, Keep, only, Pump, should, weather
September 1st, 2010 at 9:41 am
heat pump is worthless in Ohio. Unless the condenser is in the bottom of a lake or a ground source heat pump in a constant warm environment. Switch to propane, natural gas, or best of all good old wood. first answer is right the electric strips will have to come on in addition to the 2 useless of 3 motors. you might want to get a portable electric heater and keep it next to you instead.