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Coming from TN, I thought I was pretty well versed in CHA/heat pump use. We recently bought a home here in NM- 1860 sq ft, stucco over frame, pretty well insulated two story with a vaulted ceiling in half of the lower portion (so great access for the heat to progress upstairs). The heat pump was installed within the past few years by the previous error. We have the standard couple of TVs, kitchen appliances, washer, dryer etc.... nothing that would cause a massive energy drain.
Temps here have been ranging from single digits all the way to 50s- some days during the daytime the heat doesn't kick in at all- with the sun the inside temps surpass the 70 degrees we have the thermostat set at.
I did notice that the heat pump is running on emergency heat ALL the time, even if the system is set on aux. I just assumed there were some wires crossed somewhere and it was working properly- that perhaps something was wonky in the thermostat, showing emergency heat regardless. After all, the property disclosure stated all was okay with the system. And once I recieved my first electric bill of 427.xx, I dang near died.
Could there be something wrong with the system that would make it run on emergency heat, regardless of manual setting but still allow the system to function?
If you are getting emergency heat all the time, that means (probably) the heat pump itself is not working. If the compressor is running, and the fan outside is blowing, check that nothing is blocking air from getting to the outside coils - if these simple things check out, probably you need to call for service. If it's only 2 years old, you may get some warranty consideration, worth asking about.
Professional repair of the heat pump is not going to be cheap, but as you already see letting it run the way it is is'nt cheap either.
Check the larger copper line on the outside unit. If you have the t-stat set on heat then that line should be at least warm to the touch unless it's in defrost mode. In defrost mode the outdoor unit will be on but the outdoor fan will be off. You might see steam rising from the top of the unit.
A heat pump will not provide heat at single digit only down to 25 will you get any heat at all.We live in North FL and rarely do we get down near 20.at that time I use gas heater.If you live in cold climate you need auxillary heat.
A heat pump will not provide heat at single digit only down to 25 will you get any heat at all.We live in North FL and rarely do we get down near 20.at that time I use gas heater.If you live in cold climate you need auxillary heat.
How so? I have a friend in S. Dakota with an air source heat pump who needs no aux. heat source in the winter.
I am in the process of having a ground source heat pump installed. For the price I'd better not have to have auxillary heat!
A heat pump will not provide heat at single digit only down to 25 will you get any heat at all.We live in North FL and rarely do we get down near 20.at that time I use gas heater.If you live in cold climate you need auxillary heat.
That's not true. The performance charts of any HP can prove that wrong. If that were true they, AHRI, wouldn't provide a heat output, in btus, at 17°F.
Well, if I didn't make a big Freudian slip there, lol!
I'll check everything listed out tomorrow. I do know that i've heard the outside unit kicking on occasionally, obviously not below certain temps. We had an older unit in TN that liked to ice up at the slightest provocation, so I got used to checking it regularly.
I'm also stopping by the electric company this evening to check prior usage to see if this was something the previous owner knew about and neglected to list on the disclosure (like the over the stove microwave that runs but doesn't heat anything up) or if it's something that has occurred since she vacated the house.
I'll let y'all know what I kind out, thanks!
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