use integral/proprtional setting with heat pump?

[baladent]

My HVAC is an older (not super efficient) 2 stage heat pump. I initially set up the Bayweb internet therm with the proportional and integral "active". I figured this was an advanced feature, and it did an amazing job of maintaining a constant indoor temp.

The activity log showed it was generating short (i.e. 10-30 second bursts) of the 2nd stage electrical heat to supplement stage 1. Unlike a motor or mechanical assembly, I don't think that more energy is used in starting up the heat coils compared to "running" them. True?

The overall goal is to minimize 2nd stage usage, while maintaining comfort. I deactivated the integral/proportional setting,don't get the short bursts of electrical heat, and still very satisfied with the maintenance of a steady indoor temp. But, the 2nd stage will probably come on for a longer period once there is a 2 degree drop.

So, my question: Does using the integral/proportional setting actually increase overall energy use for a 2 stage heat pump system? I understand the answer is different for a heat pump system (where stage 1 is much more cost effective than stage 2), than for a gas or all-electric system.

Thanks

[beenthere]

It still uses a slight increase in electric to bring on the strip heaters. Better to have a slight temp drop, then 30 seconds of strip heat.

[SJProwler]

My 2 stage heat pump runs in low, if it can't maintain it switches to high before it ever attempts to use aux heat. Not sure why you'd want aux heat strips coming on before you even get to the 2nd stage of your heat pump.

[CraziFuzzy]

It would be advisable to avoid the electric heater usage, as it IS far less efficient than the heat pump. There is no 'starting' surge type wasted energy though. The electric heater will put 1 Watt-hour of heat into the air for every Watt-hour of electricity it uses, this is true for the first second it's on, and for the last. The heat pump, on the other hand, depending on the COP, will add a lot more heat per Watt-hour, as MOST of the heat it 'generates' is just pulled from the evaporator.

there is nothing inherent about the integral controls that should cause these blips, but it might need tuning to avoid the hunting. I'm not sure how much control there really is in that controller for tuning.