If your heat pump isn't heating your home enough, it's usually due to a few common culprits. The following checklist covers the most frequent reasons your system might be struggling and how to address them:
To get your heat pump warming again, first verify your thermostat is set to "Heat" (not cool or fan-only) and set the temperature to your desired level. Next, replace your air filter and check that nothing (like snow, leaves, or outdoor furniture) is blocking your outdoor unit.
In outdoor temperatures above 30 degrees, the heat pump should cycle off and on like a normal furnace. Somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees outdoor temperature, the heat pump will reach a “balance point” where the heat needed by the home is equal to the heat supplied by the heat pump. So now it will run all the time.
If your heat pump is on but not blowing hot air, it could be due to a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, or a malfunctioning thermostat.
There are two entirely different HVAC concepts known as the "20-degree rule" for heat pumps. The first is a user guideline that suggests setting your thermostat no more than 20∘F above or below the outdoor temperature. The second is an equipment metric referring to the system's "temperature split" or output efficiency.
We would normally recom- mend 18–22°C for a com- fortable environment, but if you prefer your home on the warmer side then we suggest the 22°C mark. Setting a higher temperature is not rec- ommended as the heat pump will work hard to achieve this temperature potentially increasing power usage.
Heat pumps don't necessarily "stop working" at specific temperatures, but their efficiency drops significantly as it gets colder.
No, You Should Not Turn off Your Heat Pump when It Gets Cold
When it's cold, they pull warm air into the house. Even on a cold day, the heat pump can draw some warmth out of the air, enabling it to generate three to four times the amount of heat as what would have been produced by the same amount of fuel consumed.
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The frequency of the defrost cycle depends on outdoor conditions. On cold, damp days, frost can form quickly, prompting more frequent cycles. On dry or sunny days, the cycle may run rarely or not at all. Most systems are programmed to check for frost every 30 to 90 minutes during heating mode.
Typically, the off period for a heat pump between cycles should last around 10 minutes. This downtime allows the system to reset and reduces wear on its components, leading to better performance in the long run.
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.
If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it. You might need to turn on your heating earlier if your home takes longer to reach a comfortable temperature.
The reality is that it's usually not a good idea to simply keep a heat pump operating all through the night while you're asleep. Instead, you should make sure that you have a programmable thermostat and set it to have it lower the indoor temperatures by 8° to 10°F when people are asleep.
Your heat pump is the energy-efficient option so use it as your primary heating source. Maximize your heat pumps reach by using the highest fan speed to increase air flow and heat distribution. Higher fan speeds will be louder, so pick the fan speed best for your household's comfort.
An indoor temperature of 65 degrees (∘raised to the composed with power∘F) feels cold primarily because of low humidity, poor air circulation, and radiant heat loss. The air may also be warmer than the objects around you, and your body might be conditioned to warmer environments.
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Maintaining Heat Pumps in Snowy Conditions
Keep Outdoor Unit Clear of Snow If your heat pump does become blocked with snow it will reduce the efficiency of your system and may cause damage to the unit. Snow falling will not typically affect the operation of your heat pump unless the unit is buried.
Yes. If you need to remove ice from your heat pump, hot water is a simple, easy solution. To remove ice, switch the unit off and pour hot or warm water on the frozen heat pump.
Heat pumps don't necessarily "stop working" at specific temperatures, but their efficiency drops significantly as it gets colder.
Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter? While slightly higher than the typical energy-saving range of 68°F–70°F, 72°F still offers a reasonable balance between comfort and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is normal for heat pumps to run continuously during winter as they are designed to maintain a consistent indoor temperature in cold conditions.
What's the 20-degree rule for operating heat pumps, and how do I apply it? This rule suggests you keep your thermostat setting within 20°F of the outdoor temperature. Don't set your heat pump to heat your home too high when it's very cold outside.
To use a heat pump efficiently in the winter, set your thermostat to a comfortable, constant temperature and leave it alone. Heat pumps work by extracting warmth from the outside air, so avoiding drastic temperature adjustments prevents the system from overworking or turning to costly auxiliary heat.
In general, today's most efficient traditional heat pumps can provide 100% heating capacity down to around 32°F and then may start losing heating efficiency. If cold-weather performance is important to you, look for a higher Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2) rating.