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The problem with this: A heat pump is only designed to operate properly when the temps aren't lower than 45 degrees outside. That's why they have "emergency heat". The reason being, the heat pump absorbs heat from the outside and then sends that heat to the indoor unit, this releasing that heat inside. Most newer units switch automatically, and thus no rewiring necessary. Older units have a switch on the thermostat that allows you to manually switch to emergency heat when the outdoor temps fall outside of the systems designed operating temps. So, rewiring would probably not solve your problem if you live in a colder winter climate. Hope this answers your question.
Heat pumps are designed to operate only with the heat strip if the outdoor temp drops below 50 to 53 degrees F. Heat pumps use the heat from the outside and transfer it to the inside, but if the temps outdoors do not hold enough heat, it ceases to function efficiently. Make sure the unit is always clean on the inside and on the outside coiling to make it as efficient as possible. I've been in the business for 17 years and around it my whole life and I've never recommended a heat pump for this very reason. They are only efficient in areas where the winter temps are more mild.
Check your thermostat and heat pump owner's manuals. Thermostat may be programmed to require electric heat at higher temps. Also could be bad outdoor temperature sensor tied to
Heat pump system controls (I had that problem) When was it installed? Warranty thermostat and or Heat pump? Call installer
Thermostat programming is a headache. No help from installer? call customer service heat pump and thermostat. Some possibility of bad installer wiring. There is also a heat pump "defrost" cycle. Usually the Electric coil will turn on to compensate for the Defrost cycle which is just the standard air conditioning mode therefore moves heat from inside to the outside coil to melt the frost. This cycle may be occurring too often. I had that problem. Fixed under warrantee.
Heat pumps are complex machines. The controls even more.
You need a tech, hopfully you are still under warranty.
Hope this helps.
See if it happens only when your temperature of the room is more than 3 degrees of your setpoint temperature. Since you have a heat pump, the auxiliary (electric heat strips) is use for backup of the heat pump when it can't keep up. The heat pump will run by itself if it can maintain temperature within a couple degrees. If it is too cold outside to handle the load or you set the temperature more than 2 degrees past room temperature, the auxiliary will turn on. The thermostat has a memory of how long it takes to reach desired temperature. If it goes into auxiliary mode trying to satisfy setpoint during the last call for heat, it will start the next call for heat in both aux & heat pump mode until the thermostats algorithm (timed program) allows only the heat pump to run. Not sure if you have an air to air, or geothermal heat pump. The outside air temperature will affect only the air to air system ie. when the temps drop outside, the heat coming out of your vents will be cooler...the air to air systems drops efficiency when the outdoor air drops.
That is normal. Secondary heat is not needed unless it is very cold outside. If the heat pump can't keep the house warm enough and the temps start to drop, the secondary heat kicks in. 2 degrees is normal.
Heat pumps are the same as an A/C unit only it works in reverse. Instead of blowing cold air inside and hot air outside it blows hot air inside and cold air outside. The heat being blown inside is extracted form the cold air outside. Its called Latent heat Latin for hidden. Believe it or not even though its 20 degrees outside there is still heat in the air. Example if you want to drop the temperature of a freezer from 20 to 10 degrees you have to remove heat .I know your getting unusal weather and that is the problem. Heat pumps can only work no lower then around 20 degrees outside.Heat pumps are never used above the freeze line. With your unusal temperatures thats basically where you are now. Ride it out. When your temps rise a little your be fine. Im in Chicago.
If you have electric auxiliary heat strips you do nothing. The system brings on the heat strips as needed. If you have gas or fuel oil the system brings that on as needed also. If you switch to Emergency(AUX) heat you will eliminate the heat pump. Not a good idea if you have electric backup heat.
what is the lowest outside temp manufacturer suggests? Heat pumps are not very good when it gets good and cold... call the installers and see what they have to say for you.
I have installed many heat pumps and if it is installed without and ouside temperature sensor I would not recommend running it below freezing 32 degrees farenheheit. Running a heat pump at low outside ambient temps. can hurt your compressor and that is the most expensive part of the outside unit.
Sounds to me either a low refrigerant charge or low air volume over the evap coil (inside). There is a sencer for temps outside maybe it's tripping out on that.
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