Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - A question about heat pumps

In the winter when temps outside get low enough so the aux heating elements have to come on, does the compressor still run outside during this phase? Just wondering. I will be moving in a new home with a heat pump in the next couple weeks. Thanks in advance to any replies...Loomisman:)

yes your compressor will run..... there is heat in the air even when it gets down right cold out side.... the Aux heating strips just add to what is lost when it gets colder.... theres more heat in the air at 35 then at 25.... and the curve of lost BTU's has to be made up for this loss

Thanks R-12. Is there a temp limit that would not allow the compressor to come on, say, if the temp gets down to 0 degrees? Thanks...Loomisman:)

Some units have an outside tstat that will shut compressor off at low outside temps.The manufacturer realizes that at a certain point it becomes inefficient to run HP.Without seeing your wiring diagram I do not know if your system is set up that way.PDF

Loomisman.... I recently bought a home with a Carrier heat pump systems. Not to come across offensive, but I don't like the Heat Pump systems. Though my Carrier is a good brand 12 years old now, systems today are more efficent. Though my does pretty well. These systems don't work real well below 35 degrees, depending where you live, winters fall much below that. I currently live in PA. and for 3 months of the year temps. are much below 35 degrees. So my system compensates with electric backup to suppliment the heat. Currently, it's 10-20 degrees at night and the system will run most of the evening and thru the night. Expect that !! If you come from a home or an apartment with fossil fuel,(ie... Oil or Gas heat) you are in for a big surprise. The heat from the Heat Pump with electric backup is totally different. Cool air will come from your registers when heating your home. Unlike, fossil fuel systems that blows much warmer air and then shuts off. This cool air from a Heat Pump is warmer than the air in your home, but not much. If there's a good side to Heat Pumps it is that they keep a constant heat, far better then then fossil fuel systems that come on and off. You will enjoy that.

[Edited by Mikey C on 01-24-01 at 11:00]

HP's should never have gone north of the MASON-DIXON.BUT just think you also get A/C.PDF

Mikey C, I agree with everything that you said about heat pumps and it doesn't offend me. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. I like to adjust my supply registers to deliver the air right across the ceiling so it will hit the outside wall and roll down thereby sweeping the room in a circular motion. This helps prevent some of the "draftiness" of the heat pump air. If you are blowing the air straight down into the room, by the time the air reaches you in your easy chair, it feels too cool. Your system may already be set up this way, if not, you may want to try it. Also, I have a thermostat that will turn on the auxillary heat after 15 minutes if the heat pump hasn't gained any ground so that helps the situation. Carrier has come out with a Comfort Heat System that will maintain a higher outlet temperature than normal heat pump systems. I would think that this type of system would be helpful to people in the northern parts of the country. Ground loop heat pumps also work very well since they don't lose as much capacity as air to air systems but ground loop systems are very expensive to have installed. I have lived with gas heating and with a heat pump, my preference would be the heat pump. If I ever move to Pa., I may change my mind :-)

Dr. C.... Your right. Don't move to PA. and buy a home with a heat pump. Also, that's for the good words, I've done my homework it sounds as I'm starting to know more and more about my Carrier H.P. system.
I'll try your suggestion with regards to the circulation of air. I do use ceiling fans from time to time circulating down. We also have a secondary heat source that being a ventless gas fireplace logs running off of propane. Ohhh ya...35,000 BTU's comin' at ya... Heat's the whole house with the ceiling fans on. Get's a little expensive though, propane has gone up in price - as like all the other fuels.

Micky,
Not trying to get off the subject, but just one question about the fireplace. We also have a fireplace (never owned a home with one) and I was wondering do you close the glass doors and turn on the fireplace fan or leave the doors open with the gas logs? Wife wants to get the ventless propane logs also. Thanks for your time...Loomisman:)
(Should be moving in, in about three weeks)

Loomisman: Whow !!! Good question.... I don't know the answer to that one. The Propane Ventless Gas Logs that we own don't have glass doors. The existing fireplace was a conventional type that was converted to our ventless gas logs. We just have a nice metal screening.
Basically, we have a 100 gallon propane tank under our deck with a 1/4" or 3/8" copper tubing run from the tank through the brick fireplace to the unit. I recommend the gas log fireplaces, they are simply to operate, even my wife can start it. It works just like a gas grill. In the house you have a shut off valve, flip it on and spark the flame. It's that easy. Our system was purchased last winter at Lowe's for about $300-$400 dollars. Brand: Comfort Flow. It's a single burner. Maximum output is $35,0000 BTU's. Which is plenty. Our home is approx. 3000 sqft. Ciculating the air with fans will heat the whole 1st. and 2nd. floors, not the basement. The local propane company provided free the tank and it cost us about $100 dollars for them to delivery and install the tubing and shut off valve. Also you can have the company install a 2nd. line to run your gas grill. You will no longer run out of fuel when cooking them steaks. Also, the greatest thing is you get to watch all your neighbors during the winter break their backs splitting wood. While I sit back and drink a beer - Getting to old to split wood anymore.
Let me know if you need any further info.

Yes propane costs are up.HOWEVER>>>>>When your heat pump runs it eats kilowatts,so does your aux heat,so does your indoor blower,outdoor fan motor and your a/c when unit goes into defrost.The plus about gas logs NO MOVING PARTS to wear out.When gas logs are used the compressor can't go bad electrically or mechanically,same with indoor fan,outdoor fan,reversing valve.Nor can electric strip heat fail.Any one of these going bad could probably cost you more than the cost of gas logs.I.E....Just review posts over the last couple months to see the number of threads on heat pump problems compared to problems gas log problems.PDF