To put it simply: Yes, the outside fan should run when your heat pump is in
The fan in the outside unit should be spinning while the heat pump is trying to reach the temperature you set on the thermostat. Also, it should stop spinning once it reaches that temperature. If the fan doesn't move, your home won't get the cool or warm air it needs.
Normally, yes the outside unit should be working when the inside is heating, they need time to ramp up though, so rapid changes by you don't help; but when it's super cold then the backup heat will work without the outdoor unit running.
If the thermostat is calling for heat the compressor should be running unless a safety has shut it off because it is operating outside of normal conditions. Being low on refrigerant is one of those conditions depending on the safety controls within the system.
This just lets you know you are in emergency mode. On a call for heat, no signal will be sent to the outdoor Heat Pump. Only the indoor unit and the back-up heat will run. On all-electric systems, this will provide enough heat to keep you going until the Heat Pump can be fixed.
If the outside fan doesn't run at all in heating mode, it could indicate a problem with the heat pump. When this happens, contact a professional. The outside fan should indeed run when your heat pump is in heating mode. It plays an important role in the heat transfer process and overall system efficiency.
If your heat pump's outdoor fan isn't working as it should, the first thing to check for is trapped debris. This is something you should do before attempting anything else. Visually inspecting the area could reveal nests, sticks, and even pests around the fan blades or in their path.
Compressors work less efficiently at higher heat, which means they need more power to do the job. Higher humidity also places "a humongous additional load" on an air conditioning system, he says.
Furnaces And Air Conditioners Are Different Systems
However, they still operate independently of each other. Does the furnace need to be on for the AC to work? No! Your air conditioner should run on its own, even when the furnace is off.
Most manufacturers design their air compressors to operate at a maximum temperature of 105°F, which is the maximum rating of the motor insulation. By keeping the room temperature between 50 and 85°F, you can ensure that the machine's internal temperature stays below 105°F.
Why Is My AC Fan Not Spinning? In short, common issues that can cause an air conditioning unit fan to stop spinning are electrical issues, problems with the capacitor, contactor issues, a burnt out air conditioner motor, a broken fan belt, or clogged air filter.
A central AC system consists of indoor and outdoor units. An indoor air handler can continue running when the outside unit has shut down. While air will blow from the vents, it won't be cooled; it may be as warm as the summer air outside.
The AC cooling process starts when the thermostat senses the air temperature needs to be lowered and sends signals to the central air conditioning system components both inside and outside the home to start running.
So if you have a heating system other than a heat pump, the outdoor unit will not turn on at all in heating mode.
The Role of the Outside Fan
In cooling mode the condenser works to release heat from inside your home to the outdoors. In heating mode the condenser's role is reversed. It extracts heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside your home.
Electrical issues such as a tripped circuit breaker, malfunctioning capacitor, or faulty wiring can prevent the heat pump fan from receiving the power it requires. Contact a qualified HVAC technician or licensed electrician for repair if a power supply issue is preventing your heat pump fan from turning.
Air conditioners and furnaces ⏤ how do they work together? Air conditioners and furnaces work together to keep the air in your home at a manageable temperature. In the winter, your furnace heats the air in your home, while the AC blower circulates works to circulate that air throughout the home.
In other words, your central AC is independent of your furnace. The outdoor unit isn't connected to the furnace at all — but they both use the same distribution system (vents, plenums, and ducts) to cycle cool air into your home.
Both AC and furnace use the same thermostat to activate and shut down. The AC and the furnace use the same blower to spread cool and warm air throughout your home.
It may seem counter-intuitive to run your mobile A/C when the weather's cool, or even freezing, however running the A/C in the winter not only does not do any harm to your heating/cooling system, it may in fact, offer benefits.
Overworked System. One of the most common reasons why your AC may struggle on hot days is that it's simply overworked. When the temperature soars, your AC has to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor climate.
Your heater circuit works independently of your A/C compressor as an electrically operated component. Here are the answers to a few more questions you may have about your vehicle's heater, your failed A/C compressor, and your vehicle.
There are a few reasons why this might happen: it may be an easily-fixed mix-up in your thermostat's HVAC settings, the need for some basic maintenance, or a potentially-serious electrical problem.
You may not think it always running is a bad thing. But if you're asking, “Does the outside AC fan always run?” the answer is “No.” It should not run non-stop. If the unit runs continuously, something is preventing the AC from reaching the set temperature. Here are some reasons why this may be happening.
A sure sign of a bad AC capacitor is a humming sound from within the access panel. Any humming noises indicate a problem with the air conditioning system or the components of the AC unit. Try turning the power on and off again to see if it was a one-time issue with the motor or a recurring problem.