new install of heat pump how do I define an acceptable job?

[sking]

Could any one give me a quick education on acceptable cooling numbers for a new instalation of a heat pump? I have been reading other threds and am trying to learn if there are industry standards for how well a unit can cool a home? Is it the ability to cool the return air by 20deg. And is there a level of out door temperature that make this number lower?

I have a new install that was just finished this week and I will have to pay the other half of the bill soon, and I have the felling that if i don't solve my problems before then I will be out in the cold (or more likly the heat).

[Joe Harper]

Have you talked to the contractor that installed the system and told them about your problems??

[sking]

Yes he was the first one I called and he had his installer visit and check our the unit. His response was that everything was running fine. The reason that I started looking to educate myself is that I expected it to be able to handle the cooling better than it does.

I'm in portlane Oregon and it has been hot for this location the last 4 days (around 102) and the heat pump ran constantly but could only hold the temperature at 76.

Even though I was not to uncomfortable it made me start off with doubts that everything was correct or sized right.

I thought that if I at least knew what the target was for the cooling of the return air I could have a better idea if the problem was the volume of existing gas furnace or some other issue

[amd]

I'm in portlane Oregon and it has been hot for this location the last 4 days (around 102) and the heat pump ran constantly but could only hold the temperature at 76.

During very hot weather it should run continuously - 76F should feel comfortable if the system is removing humidity properly.

[beenthere]

Does it get to 102 every year. Or is this an unusually hot temp for yor area.

[BaldLoonie]

The industry standard is to size to maintain 75° in on the hottest day of the typical year. That's why been asked if 102° was normal or not. If not, your system is doing well. If we hit 100+ there would be a lot of houses here getting warm as we don't size for that kind of heat.

[cd411]

What is the humidity inside and out?

If you are experiencing high humidity there might be other problems. Is the house tight or does it leak air (and moisture)?

The temperature sounds ok but we need more info.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

I have the felling that if i don't solve my problems before then I will be out in the cold (or more likly the heat).

This statement bothers me a little.

If you do not trust your contractor to solve any installation issues after you pay him, WHY DID YOU HIRE HIM TO BEGIN WITH???

[dan sw fl]

His response was that everything was running fine.
I'm in portlane Oregon and it has been hot for this location the last 4 days (around 102) and the heat pump ran constantly but could only hold the temperature at 76.

Even though I was not to uncomfortable it made me start off with doubts that everything was correct or sized right.

Everything is LIKELY running PERFECT ( 26'F less than outside).

Are you going to tell us TODAY you can now get the temperature down to 67'F, where you set the thermostat ??

[HeyBob]

In my area we size for 87 degrees, if it was 102 out a lot of people would have your problem. I think that at 102 outside and 76 inside you are doing just fine.

The news around here says you guys are having record heat and many people don't have air at all where you live.

[sking]

Today it is only 90 outslde and the inside is solid at 72 where I set it. The number of days that go over 100 are seldom. most years never see that high a temp.

I want to clarify that I am not expecting to run cooler temperatures than 72 to 76 which seems comfortable to my wife and I. I know that the temperatures this week were in the upper end of what we normally see for Portland but my concerns are that if it can’t handle the load with an empty house that is already cooled off can it provide me with comfortable reliable operation? Secondly if the ability to cool the house has a proportional relationship to its ability to heat the house how well will it work for me in the winter?

[Joe Harper]

I agree. 26 degree difference from outside temp is very good. Most systems are sized for 75 indoor, 95 outdoor. Be happy that your home is nice and comfortable..:)

[Joe Harper]

There are many factors that affect heat pump performance. You cant base anything on summertime performance. From what I understand, that area of the country has very humid and wet winters...a heat pump will work good in those conditions.

[sking]

I guess my more direct question is if you break the system up into cooling unit, fan, duct work and envalope. there must be ways to evaluate just the comopnet that i had replaced which is the cooling unit. If it is performing correctly then the remaining responsibility is mine, and I need to step up to the plate.

My house was built in 95 and the construction is above average. the insulation is all intact however I have run cables in the atic so I have disturbed the blown in insulation in some areas but was carefull to redistribute it as I left the area.

The big down fall to my envalope is that it is a single story 2100 sq ftr house wit 13 ft ceilings in 50% of the spaces

[sking]

This statement bothers me a little.

If you do not trust your contractor to solve any installation issues after you pay him, WHY DID YOU HIRE HIM TO BEGIN WITH???

I hired hime because he was responsive as long as I was still making the decision. As soon as I signed the papers he was harder to get ahold of and minor excuses started about delays in ordering etc. but i gave him the benifit of the doubt. Since I started asking about the performance of the unit I have not herd from him. CAN YOU SAY SALESMAN!!!

[Joe Harper]

You would have to have technical numbers derived from data obtained by a technician for us to evaluate any kind of performance... BUT, if I came to your home, with the outside temp at 102, and you told me that you couldnt get below 76, I might just get back in the truck and go to someone that actually needs somthing fixed...

[dash]

I hired hime because he was responsive as long as I was still making the decision. As soon as I signed the papers he was harder to get ahold of and minor excuses started about delays in ordering etc. but i gave him the benifit of the doubt. Since I started asking about the performance of the unit I have not herd from him. CAN YOU SAY SALESMAN!!!

If he's not the owner or general mgr.,ask to speak to one.