Would like to reset our amana thermostat 1f81-281 so that it has no program. Don't have manual. Help!

The cold that you describe may be just unconditioned air? If you are certain you can hear the comp operating for a couple of minutes, and then the heat starts, I would guess it is a reversing valve issue if it's a heat pump and it probably is. Or the control board acting up. I've had a lot of issues with the boards in the Amanda PTAC units. I can't remember how to configure it, but if you Google "Amanda ptac configuration", there is a lot of info online. May try a reset method first. Hope this helps!

Does it have one of those thermostats that switch AUTOMATICALLY from heat to cool? Might be programmed to kick on at too close a temp. don-ohio

Thank you for your interest with Emerson White Rodgers. My Name is Joselito Laxamana from technical department. To manually operate the unit just set the thermostat to heat mode and the fan to auto. Press the hold button one time then set you desired temperature.

Jane, what you really need is the Owners Manual for you discontinued model AC/Heat Pump.
Call Amana Customer Support 1-800-843-0304 and they can furnish you one. Either by email attachment or by snail mail.

Hope this helps you. Please let me know.

http://www.applianceblog.com/manuals/16025628.pdf

Here is a manual with decent infomaiton and troubleshooting tips. Since I can't walk you through each step of the troubleshooting process and see the results on the meter, I hope this will help you some.

Do you hear the compressor kick on and the beginning of a cycle - normally there is a click sound and then the fan kicks on? If it isn't kicking on, then look at the compressor relay.

Are you getting an ice build up behind the panel in the freezer compartment? If you are then check out the defrost heater, defroster thermostat and the defrost timer.

Please feel free to ask anything you don't understant and I will do my best to answer you.

I don't think the Amana ASZ14 Heat Pump has a reset switch, but you can still reset it by resetting the power (when it's not running... turn your thermostat OFF first).

To reset the power, locate your circuit breaker box. There should be a double-breaker for the Heat Pump and another double-breaker for the Air Handler. Turn them both off for at least 2-3 minutes. Then flip them back on and turn your thermostat back ON.

You're thermostat may also have a RESET button that you can push. I have to reset mine every time I change the batteries in it.

Here are some more repair tips...

Heat Pump Troubleshooting & Repair:
http://www.hometips.com/repair-fix/heat-pump.html
Heat Pump Troubleshooting Repair

Amana ASZ14 web page:
http://www.amana-hac.com/products/heat-pumps/14-seer-asz14
ASZ14 Heat Pumps

Amana ASZ 14 SEER Technical Manual (45-page PDF):
http://www.manualslib.com/manual/877256/Amana-Asz-14-Seer.html
Amana ASZ 14 SEER Technical Manual

Amana ASZ (and ASX) Service Instructions (66-page PDF):
http://www.acdirect.com/media/catalog/files/RS6200006.PDF

MANUAL OPERATION
• HOLD TEMPERATURE — With the SYSTEM switch set to
HEAT or COOL, momentarily press HOLD button. HOLD
will be displayed. Use UP or DOWN to adjust the temperature.
The thermostat will hold the room temperature at the
selected setting until you press RUN button to return to
program operation.
This is on page 6 of the manual
Link: Installation Instruction

check the back up heat coil or emergency heat available heat pumps have a defrost which need backup heat the three way valve outside will change position indoor coil will warm up to thaw ice

I know this is late but I had to add a solution to this problem since I had the exact same problem and was able to solve it. The probelm is not your control board. On these units, the heat pump compressor will not kick in unless the temperature you set on the control panel is within 2-1/4 degrees (or 4 degrees depending on your unit model. Otherwise, the unit locks out the compressor until the electric heat coil bring the indoor temperature up to that level - and then will switch the compressor back on for heat pump operation. So the problem is not the control panel or the compressor, it the electric heat coil. The coil has two manual limit switches on it that may be tripped and should be checked. The coil can be easily accessed by shutting down the power, removing 4 screws around the air outlet, pushing the screen up and sliding the panel out the top. The power wires can remain in place while the limit switches are reset. Hope it works.