What is supplemental heat on a heat pump?

Category: home and garden indoor environmental quality
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For most heat pumps, the supplemental heat source is electric resistance (strip) heat. When the heat pump can no longer pull enough heat from outside to meet the heating load of the house, the electric resistance heat comes on and supplements the heat pump.



Hereof, what is supplemental heat on thermostat?

The thermostat has the ability to call for two different kinds of heat. This supplemental heat source can be a set of electrical resistance coils that become red hot or it may be a gas fired, forced air furnace. The supplemental heat source provides heat in proportion to the decrease in temperature outside.

Likewise, when should auxiliary heat come on on heat pump? Auxiliary Heat. Auixiliary Heat will turn on automatically when heat can no longer efficiently transfer heat from the outside air to heat pump. This is when the outside is around 35-40 degrees and the indoor temperature is around three degrees cooler than the thermostat setting.

Also, what temperature is a heat pump not effective?

If you are impatient, I won't make you wait; heat pumps don't work well below 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit. But what you might not know is that the heat pump temperature range is broader than most people think, and with the addition of supplemental heating it can work even in the chilliest of temperatures.

What does heat pump heating mean?

A heat pump is a machine that transfers heat from an area of cool air (called a “heat sink”) to an area that is warmer. The most obvious application for this is to remove heat from the air outside of your house and transfer it into your home as a means of heating.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Is it cheaper to leave heat pump on all day?

According to Energywise, you shouldn't leave your heat pump on all day. As the weather gets colder, it might be tempting to leave your heat pump on all day. Hoerning said heat pumps are the most efficient way of using electricity to heat your home, but there are many ways people could use them more efficiently.

Should a heat pump run all the time?

Most heat pumps will run constantly during the cold weather. This means that it is normal for your heat pump to be running constantly during winter when the temperatures are at or below 30 degrees. However, if the heat pump is running constantly in the cooling mode during the summer, then there could be a problem.

Why is my heat pump blowing cold air?

You see, a heat pump heats your home by moving heat from the outdoor air into your home. But as it gets colder, and your heat pump can't pull as much heat in from the outdoor air, the air coming from your vents drops slightly in temperature. If so, your heat pump is blowing warm air that just feels cold to you.

Should I turn down my heat pump at night?

If the house has poor insulation, the temperature will drop faster, but the heat pump will produce heat that simply flees outside and goes to waste. You're simply better off with the heat pump turned off at night and thick covers on your bed.

How do I know if I have 2 stage cooling?


How Do I Know If I Have a Single Stage or Multi-Stage Heating System?
  1. Check your thermostat for variable heat settings, such as low and auxiliary heat.
  2. Locate the model number of your furnace, either by checking in the product manual or by looking directly on the front of furnace or inside the front panel.

What temperature should I set my heat pump in the winter?

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter
According to ENERGY STAR, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) when you're home is the ideal balance of comfort and energy efficiency.

When should I use emergency heat setting?

When to use emergency heat
Make sense, right? Use emergency heat only if your heat pump isn't heating your home at all. That'll keep you warm until a professional heat pump contractor can come repair it.

How do I stop my auxiliary heat from coming on?

To limit auxiliary heat and lower your heating costs, a critical first step is to set a lower indoor temperature. If it's 30 degrees outside, it is unreasonable to expect the system to maintain an indoor temperature of 78 without using the heat strips.

What temperature should I set my heat pump?

During the winter months as a general rule we advise you to run your heat pump between 20 and 22 degrees and there will be some times where you may want to run it all night. When this is the case you can drop the temperature back to around 16 to 18 degrees.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a heat pump?


Advantages and disadvantages of heat pumps
it is very efficient at converting energy to heat (optimum efficiency is when the difference between source and supply temperatures is very small) it provides a medium to fast source of heat. it has the ability to provide heating and cooling.

Should I turn my heat pump off in extreme cold?

Short answer: You should only set your heat pump's thermostat to “emergency heat” when your heat pump stops heating altogether. Otherwise, just keep your thermostat set on “heat.” There is no temperature to switch it over to emergency heat, even if your heat pump is running constantly due to cold weather.

What is the best heat pump?

Best Heat Pumps of 2020
  1. Goodman. Goodman is a well-known brand in the HVAC industry and provides great energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions for homes large and small.
  2. Carrier.
  3. Ruud.
  4. Trane.
  5. Rheem.
  6. Lennox.
  7. Bryant.
  8. American Standard.

Who makes the best heat pump system?

1. Heat Pump Price by Brands
Brands Types SEER Range
Rheem & Ruud Standard 14.5 to 20
American Standard & Trane Premium 14.5 to 21
Carrier & Bryant Premium 14 to 20.5
Lennox Premium 16 to 23.5

How can I make my heat pump more efficient?

But there are 5 things you can do to make your heat pump more effective.
  1. Seal Your Openings. Install weather–stripping around your windows and doors to keep the cold out.
  2. Involve Your Fans.
  3. Insulate Your Floors.
  4. Adjust Your Thermostat.
  5. Optimize Your Layout.

Will a heat pump work below zero?


How heat pumps work in cold weather. Because they use outside air, air source heat pumps work especially well in moderate temperatures. But when temperatures drop below 32° F, they lose efficiency, meaning they have to rely on a secondary source of heat to properly heat your home.

Why is my heat pump not heating?

If the heat doesn't come on even when the thermostat is set above room temperature, the problem is usually a lack of power caused by a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. Note: If the weather is particularly cold and your heat pump doesn't seem to be working right, please see Heat Pump Cold Weather Problems.

How do you reset your heat pump?

Reset the system by turning it off with the thermostat or breaker if your unit has a safety device locking it out. Wait 60 seconds and turn it back on. It may take up to 10 minutes for the outdoor unit to start.