With generally moderate temperature changes from season to season, the LA area is ideal for heat pumps. Homeowners seeking comfortable performance, energy efficiency and the convenience of a heating/cooling two-for-one system from their heat pump should, however, know how to operate the heat pump’s thermostat correctly when the weather cools.
Heat Pump Efficiency
Air-source heat pumps provide energy-efficient heating (and cooling) by extracting heat energy from one source (outside air in heating cycle), and move and release the heat energy to another location (inside the home). As the air outside cools for the heating months, the heat pump must work a little longer and harder to maintain warmth inside the home.
A workhorse heat pump can perform this task perfectly fine in LA’s moderate climate. However, it’s important to use a programmable thermostat that is compatible with a heat-pump system, and with your particular system’s manufacturer and model.
When the heat pump’s thermostat setting is two or more degrees higher than actual room temperature (in heating cycle), it sends a call for heating. The heat pump changes from the energy-efficient refrigeration principles to auxiliary heating, which is a backup electric-resistance heating element.
Using Your Heat Pump’s Thermostat
A heat-pump compatible thermostat sends the same signals for heat, but it regulates the heating source. Your heat pump’s thermostat allows the heat pump to bring your home to temperature slowly, so as not to activate the electricity-guzzling backup resistance heating.
However, most thermostats must be programmed for this feature to work. If you manually increase the heating set-point on the typical programmable thermostat more than two degrees above room temperature, backup heating powers on and your energy bills skyrocket. For best results, use these tips:
- Use eight-hour time blocks for setback periods (e.g. working and sleeping hours) for greatest energy savings.
- Use moderate temperature changes to avoid temptation of using the “hold” button.
- Work with your HVAC professional to select the best thermostat for your current or new system.
For more tips about your heat pump’s thermostat, contact Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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