furnace question (humidifier, fireplace, electric heat, installed) - House -remodeling, decorating, construction, energy use, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, building, rooms - City-Data Forum

ssd3 · 11-19-2008, 07:29 AM

This is our first time using an electric heat pump forced air system. When the furnace turns on the air coming from the vents is cold and doesn't seem to warm up, but the temperature in the house gets to the desired temperature. Is that normal? If you are near the vent its like being in a wind tunnel...brrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!

chicagocubs · 11-19-2008, 07:44 AM

Yes, SSD, that is normal. The temperature coming out of the vent is actually the temp that is set on the t-stat. When it hits your skin, it will feel cold because your body temp is 98.6. That is why I really dislike heat pumps and when I bought my house, I made sure that I had the lovely, warm gas heat!

lovesMountains · 11-19-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssd3

This is our first time using an electric heat pump forced air system. When the furnace turns on the air coming from the vents is cold and doesn't seem to warm up, but the temperature in the house gets to the desired temperature. Is that normal? If you are near the vent its like being in a wind tunnel...brrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!

As CC said, this is normal

It takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you are only accustomed to gas heat, but heat pumps are actually very reliable and currently more affordable than having gas heat

ssd3 · 11-19-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

As CC said, this is normal

It takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you are only accustomed to gas heat, but heat pumps are actually very reliable and currently more affordable than having gas heat

Thanks Loves. We always had oil heat but at the current prices of oil I guess I can adjust to my electric heat pump if it saves me money

BigJon3475 · 11-19-2008, 10:40 AM

I would get a hygrometer and check your indoor humidity levels. If they are low you can get a humidifier and help save on having to run the HVAC system to compensate for the lower latent heat in the air. It also helps to dissuade the drying out of sinus cavity and the problems that come with that. Right now in Charlotte the dew point is 12*

....Very dry right now.

Make sure your filters are clean and the coils are clean for maximum performance. If the coils (outdoor unit and indoor unit) have debris in them it will lose a lot of capacity.

BigJon3475 · 11-19-2008, 10:48 AM

Also make sure the insulation is on as much of the larger copper line as possible and if it's torn or damaged or copper is exposed cover it up. That's the heat that's being removed from the outside air and transferred into the your home. Go around all of your windows, doors, etc and feel for air leaks or cold air drafts and see if you can fix them or at least identify them.

ssd3 · 11-19-2008, 10:53 AM

Thank you BigJon. Very helpful.

BigJon3475 · 11-19-2008, 05:09 PM

Charlotteborn · 11-19-2008, 05:28 PM

BigJon - that is the funniest smilie I have ever seen!!!! Love it!

ssd3 - I had heatpump heating years ago and about froze to death. Everyone keeps saying the new heatpumps are better (maybe its only Duke Energy that says that....) but I don't believe it. Only way I survived the winter was to have a fire in the fireplace every few days to warm my bones! If you don't have a fireplace at least get a small space heated so you can feel the warmth!

curmudgeon2 · 11-20-2008, 09:17 AM

Now there is a dual-fuel version....heat pump with gas furnace for auxiliary heat...best of both worlds and it allows you to choose which heating to use based on which is currently cheaper fuel- electricity or gas/propane.
Had one installed a coupla weeks ago ...and yes, the new heat pumps do put out warmer air.