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Heat Pump question - 1/16/2009 7:20:03 AM

CatdeMedici

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ok so I just realized I have a heat pump for My heating ( don't ask)--so what the heck is "supplemental heat" and what is the best way to use it because as you know the air from heat pumps cools off really fast.

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RE: Heat Pump question - 1/16/2009 7:29:57 AM

MsFlutter

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Heat pumps aren't very effective when the temp drops below 30º. I know several HVAC technicians that use the supplemental (aka 'emergency' or 'auxiliary') setting when the weather gets bitter. I cant explain the technical reasoning behind it but it made sense when they explained it to me.

You may find this helpful: Heat Pump or Emergency Heat?

I developed a real loathing for heat pumps. My next house will have a geothermal loop system :)

< Message edited by MsFlutter -- 1/16/2009 7:35:28 AM >

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RE: Heat Pump question - 1/16/2009 7:33:43 AM

Dnomyar

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I just put on an extra woman. Get a fire place.

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RE: Heat Pump question - 1/16/2009 10:46:06 AM

CatdeMedici

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Thanks MsF, the article was a huge help, I can see the logic as we live in the south and the chances of being really cold are slim, but here we are about to drop to 9 or so degrees. I am biting the bullet for 30 minutes, using the supplemental heat, then kick in a fire--however, when the supp heat is on, the air doesnt blow, so I havent figured this out yet--oy. But thanks, guess I will buy a few electric heaters to pinch hit when this happens again.

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RE: Heat Pump question - 1/16/2009 10:53:13 AM

MsFlutter

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I keep several of these for weather like we're having now. They draw a lot of amps but, once you bring them online, they will keep things toasty. They make a 'crackly' noise when they are heating up but that's nothing to be alarmed about :)

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RE: Heat Pump question - 1/16/2009 3:58:49 PM

Vendaval

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Yes, those are wonderful for heating up a space and keeping it nice and toasty.

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RE: Heat Pump question - 1/16/2009 5:58:39 PM

OneMoreWaste

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quote:

ORIGINAL: CatdeMedici
I am biting the bullet for 30 minutes, using the supplemental heat, then kick in a fire--however, when the supp heat is on, the air doesnt blow, so I havent figured this out yet--oy. But thanks, guess I will buy a few electric heaters to pinch hit when this happens again.

The air should blow when the supplemental heat is on. Could be that your thermostat isn't hooked up correctly (or, no offense, that you're not setting it properly).

You might also want to take a look outside and see if your heat pump has frozen over. If so, pouring warm (not boiling!) water over it can defrost it and improve performance, at least for a while.

And don't forget to leave a faucet drizzling so that your pipes don't freeze. Like you said, Southern homes aren't exactly optimized for cold weather...

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