HEAT PUMPS

Heat Pumps – what homeowners need to know

Important Facts You Should Know About Your Heat Pump:

• During the cooling season, the heat pump operates like a conventional system.
• Do Not turn the air conditioning system off. Part time cooling is poor economy. If the system is left off  during the morning, the home will soak up heat and be more difficult to cool in the afternoon. You can actually save money by letting the thermostat determine when cooling is needed.
• During the hot dry seasons, we recommend keeping the air conditioner blower on continuously. The air conditioning unit cools more evenly when the blower switch is in the ON position. The blower provides refreshing air movement and even temperatures throughout the home. The blower also circulates air through the filter which helps remove dust, lint, and other pollutants more efficiently.
• During the more humid or monsoon season, we recommend switching the blower to the AUTO position to help dehumidify the air more efficiently. Check your condensate drain to make sure the moisture being removed from the house is draining properly. The bottom drain outside your house should be dripping and the emergency overflow drain above should be dry.
• Shades, drapes, shutters, or screens should be installed on windows that are exposed to direct sunlight. Also, plant a tree or put up a canopy to protect your windows from the direct sun.
• During the heating season, the heat pump will deliver warm air, but not hot air like other systems and will operate for long periods of time. THIS IS NORMAL. Remember, air which is 80° is warm air and will heat the house even though it may feel cool to a hand which is 98°.
• During the cold weather, frost will accumulate on the outdoor coil. This will cause the heat pump to go into a defrost cycle. During this cycle, the outdoor fan will stop running and you will hear the humming of the compressor and feel cool air coming from the registers. You may also notice steam or water runoff from the outdoor unit and hear a “whooshing” sound.

THIS IS A NORMAL FUNCTION DURING THE DEFROST CYCLE. Do Not turn off the unit, change temperature, or adjust the thermostat during this cycle. The defrost cycle will last from 1 to 10 minutes depending on the amount of ice on the coil. Then the unit will return to the heating mode.

• During the cold weather, frost will accumulate on the outdoor coil. This will cause the heat pump to go into a defrost cycle. During this cycle, the outdoor fan will stop running and you will hear the humming of the compressor and feel cool air coming from the registers. You may also notice steam or water runoff from the outdoor unit and hear a “whooshing” sound.
• Night setback during the heating season is NOT recommended. The heat pump is not designed to raise space temperatures quickly.
• For cooling and heating… Leave your thermostat alone. When you have found a temperature that you prefer, it is best to leave the thermostat at that setting.
• Clean or replace the filters frequently. Dirty filters will lower the performance and efficiency of your heat pump. The filters are usually located at the return air grille or at the indoor section of your unit.