Heat pump systems in the Valley - why no auxiliary heat in the air handler? (home builders)

[Pink Jazz]

If anyone remembers this past winter, there was a news report about many heat pump systems struggling in the record cold, cycling between heating and defrost mode.

In Virginia Beach, Virginia, my aunt has a heat pump system at her house, however, it has one thing I have very rarely (if ever) seen in systems here in the Valley: auxiliary heating strips in the air handler.

This past winter, such a setup would have been very useful for many, since during a defrost cycle those heating strips could be energized to warm up the cold air entering the house. If gas service is available, ideally the best setup would be to have a gas furnace as the auxiliary heat source, thus creating a hybrid dual-fuel system (even though most tract home builders seem to offer gas heat as standard wherever gas service is available).

So, why don't most heat pump systems here in the Valley come equipped with auxiliary heat?

[Ponderosa]

My last house had heat strips. They sucked a tremendous amount of current ($) so I turned them off. Never missed them.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

My last house had heat strips. They sucked a tremendous amount of current ($) so I turned them off. Never missed them.

Did it have heat strips alone, or as an auxiliary heat source for a heat pump?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Did it have heat strips alone, or as an auxiliary heat source for a heat pump?

Heat pump. They came on when outside temps were below freezing. There was a light on the thermostat that lit up when they were on. The unit still went into defrost mode and the air was warmer than it is with my current unit, but still noticeably cool. This was the only house I have owned here that had them. Maybe the original purchaser had spec'd them. As far as I am concerned they are totally unnecessary in our climate. If I had the option, I would have gas heat and an ac unit, but gas was not available in much of the metro for many years. I guess it is more widely available in new developments these days.