HVAC heat seems cold

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smnabilene

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In a new construction home we have a 5 ton electric unit with heat pump, downstairs. When the heat is on the air coming out of the vent feels cold. The temp does raise (about 1 degree in 30-40 minutes with outside temp in 40-50's). Upsatirs we have a 2.5 ton unit with heat pump that has warm air coming out when heat is on. Obviously, alot smaller space (800sf) but, again the vent air is warm. When the downstairs heat comes on we, literally, grab a balnket or sweater. A/C worked great this summer. Our electric bill has also more than doubled in a very mild Texas winter and with the heat pump, I was told the costs would stay close to the same. The HVAC contractor says there isn't a problem. If the temperature is rising, its working. That is via phone, has yet to come out. Is it time to demand more from my builder or are we just used to our old gas heat and utility costs?
 

MaintenanceMan

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It could be any number of things as to what is actually malfunctioning, but one degree in 30-40 minutes is certainly not right. Your only real course of action is to get a HVAC tech to look at it. If you put the T-stat to emergency heat does it warm up the area at all? On emergency heat the second stage heat (straight electric elements-no heat pump) should come on and warm up the downstairs. Which beats wearing a sweater nor are you continually running the outside unit that's essentially wasting money because your not getting any heat out of it and could possibly be causing further damage.
 

Jimbo

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Well, heat pumps are widely used, but folks that are used to a different type of heats system....gas FAU, steam or water radiators, etc. are sometimes not happy with heat pumps, because the air from them is at a much lower temperature than the air from other types of systems. It can feel like a coolish breeze.

That said, your situation seems abnormal. If you have electric backup heat, and the thermostat set up right, the electirc should kick in initially when there is a large delta between set point and actual room temp.

Time to have a good HVAC guy give your system the once over to evaluate it.

As to the electric bill, if outside temps or system set up is causing a lot of usage of the backup heat....that will run your bill up.
 

smnabilene

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Thank you all for the advice. I called another HVAC company to come check it out. Really appreciate the help. Nice to have this forum.
 

Marc46

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Well, heat pumps are widely used, but folks that are used to a different type of heats system....gas FAU, steam or water radiators, etc. are sometimes not happy with heat pumps, because the air from them is at a much lower temperature than the air from other types of systems. It can feel like a coolish breeze.

That said, your situation seems abnormal. If you have electric backup heat, and the thermostat set up right, the electirc should kick in initially when there is a large delta between set point and actual room temp.

Time to have a good HVAC guy give your system the once over to evaluate it.

As to the electric bill, if outside temps or system set up is causing a lot of usage of the backup heat....that will run your bill up.

As quoted above, he is correct,........it sounds like your second stage is not being called, or is not functioning. Could be anything from the t-stat, to the sequencers for the second stage.

One other possibility is a reversing valve that is not seating fully in the heat position, and bypassing per se. Also if it is actually stuck in the cooling mode, your second stage would be running almost constantly, and the air would feel neither cold, nor warm,............AND,.........your electric bill would be sky high!
 

Jimbo

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As quoted above, he is correct,........it sounds like your second stage is not being called, or is not functioning. Could be anything from the t-stat, to the sequencers for the second stage.

One other possibility is a reversing valve that is not seating fully in the heat position, and bypassing per se. Also if it is actually stuck in the cooling mode, your second stage would be running almost constantly, and the air would feel neither cold, nor warm,............AND,.........your electric bill would be sky high!


Good points, and brings up another possibility: The t-stat could be set up wrong for the brand of heat pump. Most energize reversing for cool. Some like Rheem energize for heat. The t-stat either has to have the reversing valve wire on the correct terminal ( B or O ) or on the digitals, you program in set-up mode which way to energize reversing.
 

Marc46

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Jimbo,......you wouldn't believe how many guys in the field get thrown by a Rheem, or a Ruud if they are not an installing dealer. they are the only major brand that I am aware of that energize in the heating mode.

Once again you are correct on the t-stat wiring. I have seen it happen many times.

It sounds like for whatever reason, this one system is not switching the valve to the heat mode, and is actually cooling, and running the back-up strips at the same time.
It would account for the tepid air, and very slow temp rise,...........as well as the huge electric bill.
 
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