Question: Does outside temperature affect heat pump performance? For example, if it's 55 degrees outside and inside my house is 74 degrees and I want to cool inside my house to 66 degrees using the heat pump. My heat pump is only putting out air at 68 degrees, does the outside temperature affect the heat pump's performance because it can't produce cool air from cold air? Of course this isn't really about bringing the inside temperature down (I could've easily open the door and windows), it's about understanding how heat pump works and if my unit is need of tune up. Any response is greatly appreciated!
Hi! Happy Saturday. To answer your question, that is precisely what the heat pump does and yes, weather affects how a heat pump functions. (I'm sure that you're aware of some of this but I'll review a bit) This is a bit lengthy but bare with me. I'll probably do a video over this for all of you. A heat pump unit uses the outside condensing unit for both heat and cool. In the winter time, if the temperatures drop too low for the condenser to keep up (usually below 40°F) ─ it will send control voltage ('the signal') to the inside to use your emergency heat. The reversing valve will then 'reverse' it's function to warm your outside coils or defrost mode. Defrost mode is when your outdoor unit reverses it's function temporarily to go into what we call a 'cooling cycle'. It will heat the outdoor coils up until the frost is removed, which usually sits somewhere around 55-60 degrees. While some of the newer models can run the outdoor unit up to freezing without going into a defrost mode, most units struggle below 40°. Much like any condenser, especially if you are in areas that reach over 100°F in the summer, it will run often to keep your home cool. Just like any heating/AC unit, it's best to get ahead of any issues by keeping both your indoor evaporator coils and outdoor condensing coils clean. Many people think that by keeping only their outside coils clean it will keep everything running smoothly. While yes, it does help and is good to clean the outside coils every six months (spring and then fall) keep in mind that your indoor coils do need to be cleaned every 2-3 years. A big help for the indoor coils to keep clean is to place a UV bulb by your evaporator coils to keep the gunk from building up. Since your unit is struggling to keep up, a few things can be happening. You may need to try cleaning your indoor and outdoor coils, and change your filter inside. Depending on the kind of climate you live in, it's going to struggle in the Summer or during a heat wave if it consistently gets up over 100°F so just keep that in mind. Also, if your ductwork is in the attic and there isn't proper ventilation and insulation that can put strain on your system. With that in mind, check over your ductwork and make sure there aren't any tears or holes. If you do this and clean everything and are still noticing issues, check your capacitor in your outdoor unit to see if it may be one of the culprits. Hopefully this helps shed some light on issues with your heat pump unit!
@@opentopublichvacschool thank you very much, I will get the coils inspected and clean. If anything, your information has given me some mental relief. God bless
Question: Does outside temperature affect heat pump performance? For example, if it's 55 degrees outside and inside my house is 74 degrees and I want to cool inside my house to 66 degrees using the heat pump.
My heat pump is only putting out air at 68 degrees, does the outside temperature affect the heat pump's performance because it can't produce cool air from cold air?
Of course this isn't really about bringing the inside temperature down (I could've easily open the door and windows), it's about understanding how heat pump works and if my unit is need of tune up. Any response is greatly appreciated!
Hi! Happy Saturday. To answer your question, that is precisely what the heat pump does and yes, weather affects how a heat pump functions. (I'm sure that you're aware of some of this but I'll review a bit) This is a bit lengthy but bare with me. I'll probably do a video over this for all of you.
A heat pump unit uses the outside condensing unit for both heat and cool. In the winter time, if the temperatures drop too low for the condenser to keep up (usually below 40°F) ─ it will send control voltage ('the signal') to the inside to use your emergency heat. The reversing valve will then 'reverse' it's function to warm your outside coils or defrost mode. Defrost mode is when your outdoor unit reverses it's function temporarily to go into what we call a 'cooling cycle'. It will heat the outdoor coils up until the frost is removed, which usually sits somewhere around 55-60 degrees. While some of the newer models can run the outdoor unit up to freezing without going into a defrost mode, most units struggle below 40°.
Much like any condenser, especially if you are in areas that reach over 100°F in the summer, it will run often to keep your home cool. Just like any heating/AC unit, it's best to get ahead of any issues by keeping both your indoor evaporator coils and outdoor condensing coils clean. Many people think that by keeping only their outside coils clean it will keep everything running smoothly. While yes, it does help and is good to clean the outside coils every six months (spring and then fall) keep in mind that your indoor coils do need to be cleaned every 2-3 years. A big help for the indoor coils to keep clean is to place a UV bulb by your evaporator coils to keep the gunk from building up.
Since your unit is struggling to keep up, a few things can be happening. You may need to try cleaning your indoor and outdoor coils, and change your filter inside. Depending on the kind of climate you live in, it's going to struggle in the Summer or during a heat wave if it consistently gets up over 100°F so just keep that in mind. Also, if your ductwork is in the attic and there isn't proper ventilation and insulation that can put strain on your system. With that in mind, check over your ductwork and make sure there aren't any tears or holes. If you do this and clean everything and are still noticing issues, check your capacitor in your outdoor unit to see if it may be one of the culprits.
Hopefully this helps shed some light on issues with your heat pump unit!
@@opentopublichvacschool thank you very much, I will get the coils inspected and clean. If anything, your information has given me some mental relief. God bless