New to Heat Pumps Question

[SWODADDY]

Last few days are pretty cold in NoVA. We just moved from up North and have a heat pump which we are not accustomed to. When the Temp drop to below about 35 or so the HP only generates heat to about 65-67 degrees. To bring the temp up above that, we raised the thermostat setting and the Heat light on the Tstat came on, but the air blowing from the vents is no warmer than without the heat light on. The result is that the light is on all the time and the temperature is not really getting above 65-67, no matter what we set the Tstat to. The air blowing is not cold but not warm (to the touch). It seems other people have similar issues, i was wondering if this was standard with HPs or there is a problem.

[mattison]

You're not going to get the heat like you do from a gas furnace but those temps seem a little low. I would check and see if the electric strip heaters are indeed kicking in.

Do you have a multi meter to check for votage?

Also be sure you have a clean filter in there.

[Ed Imeduc]

Like Matt said. You have to check the strip heaters and see if they are all on. Yes the air feels cool with a heat pump. BUT BUT who ever put it in should have enough KW Elec. strip heaters back up in it to keep the home at 72o

ED ;)

[scottg]

Kinda new to giving advice to people on the net.
Should we be giving people advice to check voltages when it is clearly labeled on the equipment to be a certified tech to repair the appliance.
I dont know if it is such a good idea to instruct home owners to check voltages.
They could get hurt or even worse! :eek: :alarm:

Having said that there is a different way of telling if the strip heaters are running.
Start the heat pump with nothing else running in the house.
Set the thermostat up just 1 degree at a time til the heat pump starts.
Look at the meter on the side of the house that you are billed off of, and notice how long it takes for the wheel to make one revolution.
Then turn the heat pump up all the way wait 2 min. and note how long the wheel takes to make a revolution. This should be be less time with the heat strips on or to say the wheel spins faster with the strips on vs. when the heat pump is running by itself.
If there is no difference than your heat strips aren't working.
That is when you need to call a service tech.

[SWODADDY]

Additionally, it does not look like the Emergency Heat is working Either. No change in Temp or for that matter sounds or activity. I also installed a new filter about 2 wks ago.

[Ed Imeduc]

If you dont have a meter are and amprobe to check it out You can look at the electric meter then have some one just push up the tstat till the blower comes on for a short time then push it up so the AUX light comes on and see if the meter starts to spin faster. The other thing is go over the wire schematic and see if its all wired in right. What does it do if you set thettstat to AUX heat and push up the tstat?

ED ;)

[SWODADDY]

Saw no change, I can only assume there is a problem with the heat strips (from what other people have been saying) I have an older GE model, hwt might be the costs associated with fixing/replacing?

[mattison]

A service charge of anywhere from 50 - 100 bucks will diagnose and if it's a simple repair you'll be fixed on the spot.

Have you checked all your breakers.

[SWODADDY]

Yes, I looked at the breakers, none were off or tripped.