Aux heat strips kick in without drop in temp.

[N Heat]

I moved in to a new house in November. It is a 2-story with a single heat pump. Even when it's fairly mild outside, the heat pump with pause, and the aux. heat strips kick in. Sometimes when it does it, the t-stat is showing a zero or 1 degree drop in temp. As far as I know, the t-stat has a setting for when the heat strips kick in. It can be set from 2 to 6 degree drop. I have it set at 3 right now, and it still does it. I haven't called a professional yet. Are there any here? Thanks.

 

[Fester]

Did you say the heat pump outside will pause? if so this is a defrost cycle activation of the aux heater, the signal is not from the thermostat, it comes from a board on the condenser.

It senses the outdoor coil temp, every 90 min by default (time is adjustable by a tech) if the outdoor sensor mounted on the coils reads round 27 degrees (note coil temp not outdoor)it can go into a defrost, it turns off the outdoor fan ,runs the comp in cool mode and turns on the aux heater. lasts around 10 min or till ice clears or coil temp reaches 80 degrees, this will terminate the defrost.

A failed ensor reading low will cause he defrost to initiate even in the cooling mode, low refrigerant can also fool the sensor into a defrost. call a tech to see if its normal.

 

[rshaw125]

A heat pump in Virginia? Isn't that a little far North for one?
They're marginal here in NC.

 

[rangerdood]

My dad has a heat pump in his new place here in Central PA. I think the builder made a mistake putting one in... His drops into Aux mode when the temp outside become too cold for it to get any heat from for the rest of the house. Then, you are essentially heating your house with one giant electric heater. Needless to say, his electric bill is quite impressive.

I suppose it'll get you one way or the other. My electric bill is minimal, but my gas makes up for it, big time.

 

[N Heat]

Originally Posted By: morepower
Did you say the heat pump outside will pause? if so this is a defrost cycle activation of the aux heater, the signal is not from the thermostat, it comes from a board on the condenser.

It senses the outdoor coil temp, every 90 min by default (time is adjustable by a tech) if the outdoor sensor mounted on the coils reads round 27 degrees (note coil temp not outdoor)it can go into a defrost, it turns off the outdoor fan ,runs the comp in cool mode and turns on the aux heater. lasts around 10 min or till ice clears or coil temp reaches 80 degrees, this will terminate the defrost.

A failed ensor reading low will cause he defrost to initiate even in the cooling mode, low refrigerant can also fool the sensor into a defrost. call a tech to see if its normal.


This sounds like what it might be. I'm gonna time it to see if it's on a regular interval.

 

[N Heat]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
A heat pump in Virginia? Isn't that a little far North for one?
They're marginal here in NC.


I don't know of any house around here built in the last 20 yrs. that doesn't have one. My house is about 2100 sq. ft. and I pay $149 a month for electric. I also have a 20 yr. old hot water heater that's probably not that efficeint which adds to the bill. No gas service, all electric.

 

[rangerdood]

Don't want to hijack your thread... but you get off rather easy with your electric bill!

My electric runs me about $40 a month, but that's just lights, appliances, computers, etc. Then, there's the gas bill for heat and hot water, only. Last month, mine was $246. That's for a 1,042sq ft house!

I have horrible windows, which are to be replaced in the spring. This is my first winter in this house, and it's killing me!!!

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
A heat pump in Virginia? Isn't that a little far North for one?
They're marginal here in NC.


There's a lot of electric-only subdivisions that were built in the Northern VA area in the early to mid 80s. All of these houses have heat pumps. My guess is that there was a concern about the rising price of natural gas.

But don't worry, if the price of natural gas rises those who heat with electricity will see their bills increase too.

Most houses built after about 1985 in Northern VA will have natural gas.

 

[N Heat]

Originally Posted By: rangerdood
Don't want to hijack your thread... but you get off rather easy with your electric bill!

My electric runs me about $40 a month, but that's just lights, appliances, computers, etc. Then, there's the gas bill for heat and hot water, only. Last month, mine was $246. That's for a 1,042sq ft house!

I have horrible windows, which are to be replaced in the spring. This is my first winter in this house, and it's killing me!!!


My house was built in 1989. I have vinyl siding over original hardboard, and original double-paned, wood frame windows. I keep my t-stat on 70 in winter and 72 in the summer.

I just moved from a 1300 sq. foot rancher with hardboard siding and storm windows and my bill was only about $15 dollars cheaper. I have compact flourescent bulbs in most fixtures and lamps, and I am a freak about leaving a light on when not in use. I love to look out the window and see my electric meter barely spinning. I gave the figure of $149 because I am on budget billing. My first 2 actual bills were $138 and $154.