Heat Pump Installation

Attention: Heat Pump Owners

In effort to better serve our customers, we have prepared this information sheet, which explains how your heat pump works and gives some helpful hints on how to best use your unit.

Things you should know about your heat pump.

Your new heat pump is a technically advanced product, which does not always operate like a conventional heating and air conditioning system. To better protect your investment and to eliminate unnecessary service calls, you should familiarize yourself with the following items:

• The air at your register will seem cool during the heating cycle because it is delivered at a higher velocity and a more constant flow than a conventional furnace.  It is normally delivered at 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit instead of a sudden burst of hot air with a conventional furnace.  The air feels cool because 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit is less than your body temperature, but sufficiently warm to keep you comfortable.

• It is normal for ice to form on the outdoor unit during the winter heating operation.  Your heat pump is designed to go into defrost automatically to melt ice.  When in defrost cycle it is normal for steam or fog to rise from the outdoor unit.  Do not be alarmed!!  Never try to melt the ice on the outdoor unit with a water hose!

• Cleaning or replacing your air filter periodically (once a month in normal use) is a must.  A clogged air filter increases operation costs and shortens the life of your heating and cooling system.

• Your multi-purpose indoor wall thermostat is your system's control center; therefore, you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with the portions of the manual covering the thermostat and its functions.

• Thermostat "jiggling" short cycles the heat pump and may cause severe damage.  Do not move the temperature selector for any reason for at least five minutes after the system has shut off.

• During the heating season, never increase the thermostat setting in more than 2 or 3-degree increments.  If you move the temperature selector more than 2 or 3 degrees, the supplemental heat strips will automatically turn on, which will decrease the energy-saving capability of your heat pump.

•  Grass, vines, shrubs,etc. should be cleared from the outdoor unit in both winter and summer. A 12-inch clearance is required so as not to restrict airflow.

• Electric power to the outdoor unit should be kept on at all times.  You should control your system's operation with the indoor wall thermostat.

• Supply and return air registers should not be blocked with drapes, furniture, etc.  Items should not be stacked on or stored around your heat pump (both indoor and outdoor units).

• It is common for a heat pump to run continuously when outside temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (exact temperatures may vary from home to home).  In colder temperatures, the supplemental heat strips will assist the heat pump automatically.

• The emergency or supplemental heat position (EM, HT or Supplemental HT) is provided for emergency use in case problems occur with normal operation of the heat pump.

• Do not operate you heat pump occasionally, it is designed for quick recovery in the heating cycle.  Set your temperature selector at the desired setting and let the heat pump maintain the temperature on its own.  This is the proper operating procedure for all heat pumps regardless of brand name.

• To maintain the highest efficiency possible, it is recommended that you have your heat pump serviced before each cooling and heating season.  (See attached letter for details on opening a service account).

• Before calling E & B Heating & A/C, Inc. for service, please make sure you check all electrical breakers, disconnect switches and thermostat settings.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office.