Is Your Heat Pump Running?

Your air conditioner is going to act differently throughout the seasons, no matter what system you have. But if you've recently moved into a home with a heat pump instead of a more traditional model, then it's important to take note of which behaviors are typical and which are not.

How often should your heat pump be running in the winter?

Once the temperatures start staying below freezing, your heat pump will be running almost constantly. They don't work like furnaces, which generate heat in cycles once the internal temperature dips below your thermostat's setting. Instead, they pump air between the inside and outside until the temperature reaches the right point. Heat pumps are often also matched with an auxiliary heat source -- a furnace, a heat strip, or a stove -- that can make up the difference when air exchange doesn't provide enough heat. However, as a general rule, heat pumps work slower and less dramatically than furnaces; they will be working almost constantly, and that's fine when it's cold.

How often should your heat pump be running when it's warmer out?

Warmer in this context means above the low- to mid-thirties. Above this range, heat pumps should be able to pull enough heat from the outside air to keep your home comfortable, and it shouldn't be a constant effort for the pumps to maintain that internal temperature.
Then again, if the heat pumps aren't turning off, something is wrong with your unit. The most common culprits are:

1. an outdoor unit that's icing over
2. too much demand for your unit, which is usually caused by poor insulation or a pump system that's too small for the property
3. lack of tune-ups; since every air conditioning system needs a quick look-through, cleaning, and filter replacement.

If you have any questions or service needs, please feel free to contact us at New England Cooling Towers, Inc.