Can I Move The Thermostat On My Heat Pump Up And Down Like Other Heating Systems?

During the heating season, we recommend a setting that is comfortable for your household. Once your thermostat is set, the best policy is to leave it alone. Raising the thermostat as little as 2° F may cause the supplementary heat to come on, thereby increasing your energy usage. Although night setback is recommended during the winter for most types of heating systems, to save energy and reduce costs, it is not generally recommended for a heat pump unless a programmable thermostat designed expressly for a heat pump is used. When you have a heat pump, and raise the house temperature in the morning, the supplementary heat may come on using more electricity than you save during the night. Reduce the thermostat temperature setting for weekend trips or vacations during the heating season.

What Are Some Ways To Help Control My Heating And Cooling Costs?

Once the thermostat is set, it should be left alone. However, programmable thermostats are commonly installed on systems to setback the house temperatures while you are away from your home. The air filters inside the system need to be checked, cleaned, or changed each month. The outdoor fan should not be covered or obstructed, so it can receive proper air flow. Precision Tune Up checks should be performed which include refrigerant level checks, indoor/outdoor coil inspections (cleaning, if needed) and duct inspections. Duct inspections are very important. A poorly performing duct system can cause air comfort problems, high utility bills, and could become hazardous. We can measure your entire system's performance and show you how to get the most out of your heating and cooling system.

Is The Heat Pump An Economical Or Expensive Way Of Heating And Cooling, And How Does It Operate?

A heat pump may actually provide more than three units of heat for each unit of electricity used. If a kilowatt-hour of heat is needed for comfort, it can be supplied by a one thousand-watt electric heater. To provide the same amount of heat the heat pump might use as little as 330 watts in an hour. This is a ratio of three to one. The ratio is referred to as the Coefficient of Performance (COP). Electric resistance heaters have a COP of 1 because they are using electricity to create heat. A heat pump moves heat from the outside to the inside of the home and vice versa, not using energy to create heat. We recommend. a COP of at least 1.8 at standard test conditions of 17° F dry bulb and 15° F wet bulb.

I am sure that explanation was as clear as mud. Let's look at it this way. Gas and fuel oil prices are going through the roof. It looks like the heat pump is becoming a better option.