Heat Pumps and their technology have come a long way over the years. This video is about the backup heat, the technology, and thermostat compatibility. We go through dual fuel lockout temps and the backup heat operation for most electric heat pump systems. Heat droop and backup heat stage timer are covered too.
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Guys i had someone ask me to do a video on this topic. And so so i just want to talk real briefly about if you have a heat pump at what temperature. Does it start to lose is oomph does it start to not perform as well and start to lose capacity. And more importantly the question that they were asking is if i have electric backup versus gas backup when does all this start to happen i think what's important to understand is first of all they don't operate the same in fact in most scenarios.

When you have gas backup for a heat pump. We call that a dual fuel system and they operate by measuring the temperature outside and will lock out the outdoor unit and run off of gas. But if you have a heat pump with electric backup. Most times.

It does not operate that way in fact in a lot of cases. It doesn't even measure the outdoor temperature. It doesn't care. It's going to operate the way.

It's going to operate regardless the way it operates typically with most systems. There is a heat droop meaning. If you have set the temperature. Whether it's your cold or because the schedule has changed or it because it's gotten really cold outside and the system is starting to fall in temperature that way.

But regardless if there is a temperature difference of at least two degrees in most cases. And some thermostats you can change the heat droop setting. But in most thermostats. There's gonna be a two degree difference from the set point.

Meaning you have it set at 72 degrees in that room. And it's now dropped to 70 degrees in that room. So now i'm seeing a two degree heat droop. There that's when it's going to bring on the backup heat.

And unlike a dual fuel system. It's not going to turn off the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit's still going to run you might say well josh. I don't think that's very efficient.

I would say in some markets you're correct. But i would say in most markets that outdoor unit is still providing some sort of heat. It's still making that coil warm and it's making that system run as efficient as possible and burn less amount of backup heat. As possible the big thing to understand is the heat.

Pump draws less electricity than when those heat strips turn on so you want to get as much out of that heat pump as you can and in addition to the heat droop a lot of thermostats have backup timers so they'll say we're going to give the heat pump this amount of time before we're going to bring on the heat strips try to save as much energy as possible and try to warm that home as efficient as possible and the last thing. I'll say i get questions on this all the time folks will say well at what temperature. Does my heat pump lose capacity at what temperature should i be wanting my backup heat to kick on the problem with that question is there are too many variables to answer that question. I can't and no one else can tell you an exact temperature.

I can tell you that there was once upon a time when i first got into this trade that if it got below 40 degrees outside heat pumps started to struggle to provide heat. But those days are over heat pumps have come a long way there are customers of ours. That told. Me that they used to hate heat pumps.
They would never want one in their home again and now they're in virginia and that's all we have just about a lot of markets in virginia. They only have heat pumps and they've realized that they've come a long way the heat rise is higher than it used to be and heat pumps are providing heat. Where in the past they may have struggled ultimately the heat pump system itself plays a role the ductwork sizing plays a role air flow and i think that you worrying about what temperature. It is outside and is my heat pump doing what it's supposed to there's too many variables to answer that question so ultimately getting back to my original scenario.

If you have a heat pump that has backup electric or if you have a dual fuel system. Realize what kind of system you have realize what technology is going to make it more efficient and last. But not least if you're not sure call a pro get them in there. They'll be able to set up that thermostat and you'll be able to know that it's running as efficient as it can saving you money hope that helps thanks for watching hit that subscribe button.

We'll see you next time you.

7 thoughts on “Myths on heat pumps. backup heat and where suitable”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars AnalogueKid2112 says:

    I live in Ohio and a bunch of homes around here built in the 1980s have heat pumps. As you mentioned, most people hate them because the technology wasnโ€™t ready for prime time, particularly in our climate. But now the new inverter units are actually excellent. A well designed system should be able to cover >99% of heating needs during our winter

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Leppard says:

    Yeah, crazy cold in Virginia. Pertains to thermostat systems and not direct systems with heat pumps. So, here in Northern New Hampshire, just a bit, ok a hell of a lot colder than Virginia, heck a lot colder than Massachusetts. Direct set heat pumps do well.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shawn Burton says:

    I have a question about the Daikin systems. I just had a new dz17vsa installed and it's strugging to keep humidity at 60%, so 70 degrees now seems almost worse than my old single stage at 73 degrees. Is this normal? I plan to contact the contractor tomorrow but thought I would see others' thoughts.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars rapidtransit440 says:

    Should note manufacturers will provide a table or calculation based on height difference, pipe length, inside temp, outside temp, btus of indoor units and will give you a ballpark BTU output from the outdoor unit. Edit: they may also provide the efficiency along with the BTU output.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ann S says:

    Thanks for sharing this information. Can you do a video on how to clean the Blower Wheel in Mini split system. We have a Trane mini split with heat pump and it starts loosing heating around 30ยฐ outside and if colder it goes through a Defrost mode and shuts down then comes back up.
    We are in Middle Tennessee and have very cold Winters at times. Thanks ๐Ÿ‘

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael W. Perry says:

    Many thanks for clearing up some of my confusion. I have a related question. I have an older, single-stage Goodman heat pump with a basic White & Rogers thermostat. The switch is Cool-Off-Heat-Emergency. Thinking I was turning on the heat on winter day, I accidentally put it into Emergency, driving up my power bill. On a limited budget, I don't want any situation where I'll be running resistance heating. I fixed that switch problem by putting thick foil tape on that switch so it cannot go into Emergency mode. In this video you mention that some thermostats that will turn on resistance heating anytime there's more than a few degrees difference between the thermostat setting and the inside temperature. That could happen if I were simply away for a few hours with the heat turned down. How likely is it that my system will do that? I want it to operate simple, stupid and cheap. No resistance heating until I choose it.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Charles Dill says:

    Cheap single stage heat pumps are loud, run constantly, blades ice over without weather cover, blow cold air when defrost mode kicks on and don't do anything when temps drop below 25'ish. They suck! If that is the only means of heating your house, get the best heat pump your money can buy, high hspf, variable speed compressor, weather cover, etc. Really sucks to see builders putting in the cheapest single stage heat pumps they can get away with…in some very expensive homes where owners don't know any better. Are you in Orleans ?

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