Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Help!
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gahannagal
12-11-05, 08:46 AM
It is 30 degrees in Cincinnati. My Rheem Classic X High Effeciency Electric Heat Pump has ice inside and out of the outside unit. The fan works fine. The thermostat and air temp inside the house is the same. Three days ago when I noticed the icing, I turned off the system and set a space heater inside the unit to de-ice. Next morning the same condition. The unit has a muffled sound. I am concerned about burning out the motor. I want to turn off the pump until I can get repair help but have no manual with instructions (ouch!). Would changing the system to EG have the same effect as switching off the pump? HELP, please! :o
jim-connor
12-11-05, 09:35 AM
Switching the system to emergency heat shuts off the compressor. You'll only be running on the resistance heat coils, just like an electric furnace.
I suspect your system is not going into defrost mode. Could be a bad defrost timer or reversing valve.
I suspect your system is not going into defrost mode. Could be a bad defrost timer or reversing valve.
gahannagal
12-11-05, 11:31 AM
:coffee: Thank you for responding so quickly, Jim! I am the original Ms. FixIt, but without an Owners Manual I don't know up from down. Your diagnosis sounds quite plausable. Do you have any idea the cost of repair? and...Do I leave the furnace fan on with the Emergency Heat until the defrost is repaired? and...Should the "Aux" light be on along with the "Emer" light when running without the pump? and...Will using the furnace solely significantly raise the cost of operation? You are wonderful to be doing this on a Sunday!
jim-connor
12-11-05, 03:56 PM
OK to leave the fan in auto or on, your choice.
"AUX" and "emer" heat are basically the same. Emer(gency) just locks out the compressor. Both lights may be on, this is normal. You can use the emergency heat feature indefinitely, but power consumption will be higher.
It's difficult to give a figure for repair. If it's just the defrost timer, perhaps as low as a few hundred. Again, just a rough idea. It depends on labor rate in your area and the cost of parts. If the reversing valve is bad, it will be significantly higher.
Good luck.
"AUX" and "emer" heat are basically the same. Emer(gency) just locks out the compressor. Both lights may be on, this is normal. You can use the emergency heat feature indefinitely, but power consumption will be higher.
It's difficult to give a figure for repair. If it's just the defrost timer, perhaps as low as a few hundred. Again, just a rough idea. It depends on labor rate in your area and the cost of parts. If the reversing valve is bad, it will be significantly higher.
Good luck.
gahannagal
12-11-05, 06:26 PM
Once again, I thank you for your time and knowledge. At the very least, I have a head's up as to what I am dealing with.....Merry Christmas to you and yours!
:gespann:
:gespann: