People do not need to turn their heat pumps off. Residents should make sure their supplemental home
NO! The heat pump is very efficient so make it do its thing. Simply turn up the thermostat a degree or two in cold weather so you are comfortable. Do not suffer and submit yourself to the old myth that heat pump homes are cold.
For this reason, heat pumps start to lose efficiency at around 40 degrees F and become less efficient than furnaces at around 25 degrees F. Heat pumps continue to be effective at cooling the indoors, even at high temperatures. In the South, it rarely gets below 25 degrees.
Frost and ice shreds may also collect around the heat pump. However, if extreme amounts of ice and snow buildup over the unit, it's strongly recommended to switch it off or to 'emergency heat' to remove the snow. The easiest way to get the snow off the heat pump is by pouring warm water over time.
This heating method works incredibly efficiently until the outdoor temperature reaches about 35 degrees. At this point, the heat pump has difficulty extracting enough heat from outside to keep up with the thermostat setting. This is when many people assume it's time for switching their heat pump to emergency heat.
Here are some things you can do to prevent heat pump snow and ice buildup: Clear away debris from the unit (maintain a 2-foot clearance around entire unit). Turn the unit off (or “emergency heat”) when you are cleaning around it and be careful not to do any damage. Never use any sharp objects to remove snow and ice.
Contrary to popular belief, heat pumps don't ever stop working when it's cold. These systems are built to withstand frigid weather, operating at 100% efficiency even down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit.
If possible, keep a 2-foot space around the unit clear. Install a cover: Look for a heat pump cover that's durable, weather-resistant, and breathable. This will help protect your unit from snow, ice, dirt, debris, and animals. This cover also provides shade in summer, thereby increasing energy efficiency.
If freezing has already occurred, shut off the unit (keeping it on could damage the unit) and pour water over the unit to melt the ice (do NOT attempt breaking up ice with heavy tools!). In addition, check to make sure no damage has been done to the copper coolant lines, this might be a job for a professional plumber!
But with proper insulation, you can turn off your heat pump for periods of time and still maintain a comfortable temperature. And turning off your heat pump is actually really good for the system so it can take a break. That doesn't mean you have to turn the unit off when it's the hottest outside.
Your auxiliary heat, or secondary heat source, should come on when your heat pump is struggling to heat your home effectively. The thermostat will trigger auxiliary heat when: The outside temperature is below 40 degrees or a set aux heat trigger temperature. The heat pump is in defrost mode.
What temperature does a heat pump quit working? As long as your house is properly air-sealed and insulated, an air-source heat pump can perform well beyond temperatures of -13 degrees Fahrenheit! Some newer models can handle temps as low as -22 degrees.
Heat pumps do not operate as efficiently when temperatures drop to between 25 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for most systems.
Heat pumps are most efficient when the temperature difference between the inside and outside of a building is small. When it's extremely cold outside, the temperature difference is large, which makes it harder for the heat pump to transfer heat effectively.
According to the Department of Energy, 68°F is the sweet spot that balances comfort and energy efficiency during the fall and winter months. When your home is occupied and when family members are awake, a heat pump setting of 68°F keeps the living areas reasonably warm.
Freezing rain will cause the top of the unit to freeze over and in some cases the blade itself will be unable to turn. Solution: TURN THE UNIT OFF and use the emergency heat setting at the thermostat to turn the back-up heat on to keep the home comfortable. A garden hose can be used to melt the ice build-up.
The unit remains in the defrost cycle (or cooling cycle) until the thermostat on the bottom of the outdoor coil senses that the outdoor coil temperature has reached about 57° F. At that temperature, the outdoor coil should be free of frost.
Aside from installing insulation, there are low-cost solutions, such as insulated blankets, heat tapes, and heat lamps, that can provide temporary protection. However, they are less effective for long-term freeze prevention. Blanket Wrapping: Wrap pumps with insulated, weatherproof blankets suitable for outdoor use.
This is where emergency heat comes in. Typically, this setting on your thermostat kicks on when the temperature is anywhere between 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. How your emergency uses this air differs from the normal way that your heat pump usually functions.
Tip #1: Turn the heat pump temperature up.
The colder it is outside, the bigger the temperature difference will be between the core of the house (with the heat pump) and the other rooms (without the heat pumps).
No, heat pumps do not need to run constantly in the winter. Most heat pumps are designed to cycle on and off as needed to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. That said, if it is very cold outside, it may need to run continuously at times to maintain warmth in your home.
Safely De-ice Your Heat Pump: If ice forms, gently melt it with warm (not hot) water. Only do this when temperatures are above freezing to avoid exacerbating the issue.
This is why it is imperative that you clean the snow off your HVAC. This will prevent damage to the unit that could end up being very expensive. In fact, it is a good idea to keep a wide perimeter around your HVAC unit clear of snow and ice.
The pump works by bringing in external air, heating it, then pumping it into your house. If you cover it, the pump won't be able to suck in air. Instead, build a roof over the heat pump. Keep in mind a heat pump needs 18-24 inches of space all around so it can do its job properly.