Is my Heat Pump operating correctly?

[gadgetguy681]

Hello All!

We just bought a new (to us) house and it has a heat pump. We've always had propane or wood heat so I'm not sure what to expect from the HP. Here's what I've got.....

Looks to be a 4 ton HP in approx. 2600 SF single story house built in 2007. Hard pipe was used for all supply runs. They don't appear to be insulated and the joints are screwed together (most of them) but not taped. White Rogers programmable thermostat. I replaced the filter when we moved in about two weeks ago.

Now, I have the heat set at 69 degrees. The temperature is steady in the low 30's in the evenings here. The heat kicks on and runs for at minimum, an hour. Overnight, the thermostat is programmed to drop the temp to 67 since we're under the covers. It seems like the heat runs all night long when the temp is in the mid to upper 20's. I've used a known good digital thermometer to check the temp at all of the registers around the house. The one's closest to the air handler (which is in the crawlspace) are putting out around 91 degree air. One of the longest runs from the supply trunk is only putting out 77 degree air.

Is it normal for the HP to run for an hour to bring the temp back to the set point of 69 when the outside temp is 34?

Is it normal for the HP to run nonstop overnight when the temp is in the mid-upper 20's and the set point is 67?

Is 77 degree air acceptable from a long run. (I'll have to measure how long) I was thinking I should insulate and tape the supply run if this will help keep the supply temp up. This happens to be my young sons room and I need to get the temp up.

Should the heat strips kick in after a certain amount of time if the HP hasn't raised the temp back to the set point?

Sorry if I lack some details. Please let me know your thoughts on what will make this system more efficient if its not already there.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[second opinion]

Hello All!

We just bought a new (to us) house and it has a heat pump. We've always had propane or wood heat so I'm not sure what to expect from the HP. Here's what I've got.....

Looks to be a 4 ton HP in approx. 2600 SF single story house built in 2007. Hard pipe was used for all supply runs. They don't appear to be insulated and the joints are screwed together (most of them) but not taped. White Rogers programmable thermostat. I replaced the filter when we moved in about two weeks ago.

Now, I have the heat set at 69 degrees. The temperature is steady in the low 30's in the evenings here. The heat kicks on and runs for at minimum, an hour. Overnight, the thermostat is programmed to drop the temp to 67 since we're under the covers. It seems like the heat runs all night long when the temp is in the mid to upper 20's. I've used a known good digital thermometer to check the temp at all of the registers around the house. The one's closest to the air handler (which is in the crawlspace) are putting out around 91 degree air. One of the longest runs from the supply trunk is only putting out 77 degree air.

Is it normal for the HP to run for an hour to bring the temp back to the set point of 69 when the outside temp is 34?

Is it normal for the HP to run nonstop overnight when the temp is in the mid-upper 20's and the set point is 67?

Is 77 degree air acceptable from a long run. (I'll have to measure how long) I was thinking I should insulate and tape the supply run if this will help keep the supply temp up. This happens to be my young sons room and I need to get the temp up.

Should the heat strips kick in after a certain amount of time if the HP hasn't raised the temp back to the set point?

Sorry if I lack some details. Please let me know your thoughts on what will make this system more efficient if its not already there.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Depending on what Tstat you have and how it is configured will dictate how the auxiliary heat will function.

The temperatures at need to be taken with the auxiliary heat off.

Is the duct work exposed?

[gadgetguy681]

I'll have to check the specifics on the t-stat.

I'm pretty sure the aux heat was off. The aux isn't supposed to kick on until there is a 3 degree difference in set point and room temp right? At the time I was checking the temps, the room temp was 68 and the set point was 69.

Yes, the duct work is exposed. Easily accessible in the crawl space.

[second opinion]

I'll have to check the specifics on the t-stat.

I'm pretty sure the aux heat was off. The aux isn't supposed to kick on until there is a 3 degree difference in set point and room temp right? At the time I was checking the temps, the room temp was 68 and the set point was 69.

Yes, the duct work is exposed. Easily accessible in the crawl space.

Good make sure to have duct work joints sealed and insulated, and you should see a big change in supply temp to farthest run.

[BaldLoonie]

On a decent digital stat, backup comes on a lot faster than a 3° drop. It should tell you somehow when it does bring on backup.

An hour to raise the temp 2° on a 34° morning seems fine. Running most of the time at night set to 67° might be a little more than I'd expect.

Sounds like ductwork in the crawl needs to be insulated or the crawl itself being sealed & insulated. Losing 14° is a big chunk of the heat pump's work :(