Heat Pump or Not
Good day. I have a 2002 Carriage Cameo fifth wheel camper. My single rooftop AC stopped working, so I took it in for service. The unit needed replacement. The service manager called me and informed me...
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How does the Heat Pump Thermostat Work
The RvComfort.HP, the RvComfort.PHP, the Coleman True-Air, and the RvComfort.ZC
thermostats by RvProducts Inc. are all capable of running not only an Air Conditioning unit, but
also an Electric Heat Pump. Frequently we receive calls from customers who do not
understand the functions of the Heat Pump Thermostats. This guide is a quick run through of
the information already provided in the Thermostat Operation Manual, included with each
thermostat.
The Heat Pump is an electric source for heat. It will supply and maintain heat assuming the
outside (ambient) temperature is above 40 degrees. This number of course can be slightly
higher or lower depending on the humidity. Higher humidity can cause a heat pump to lose
efficiency at a slightly higher ambient temperature, while lower humidity can cause a heat
pump to lose efficiency at a lower ambient temperature.
Since no one wants to wake up to find that the outside temperature dropped below forty
degrees and it is now 50 degrees inside the coach, the Heat Pump thermostats are programmed
internally to recognize when the temperature drops five degrees or more from the set
temperature to the actual inside room temperature. When the temperature exceeds five
degrees or more between the two, the thermostat will default to the next available heat
source.
The thermostat, upon sensing a temperature split of five degrees or more in the electric heat
mode will bring the gas heat on to assist the electric heat. This is the first strike. A strike is
created by the thermostat having to change modes (or run dual modes to sustain a
temperature split). The electric heat and the gas heat will continue to run together until the
thermostat reaches the set temperature and satisfies. When the electric heat comes back on, it
will be in electric heat only at that point. If the temperature again drops five degrees or more
from the set point, the thermostat will again bring the gas heat on to assist. This is strike two.
The system will then go through the above stated procedures. If the temp should drop five
degrees from set point for a third time, the thermostat will give up on the electric heat, lock the
electric heat out for two hours (showing either DIFF on the display or FLASHING GAS HEAT on
the display) and default to Gas heat only. You WILL NOT be able to run any Electric heat
during this two hour lockout.
The RvComfort.HP, the RvComfort.PHP, the Coleman True-Air, and the RvComfort.ZC
thermostats by RvProducts Inc. are all capable of running not only an Air Conditioning unit, but
also an Electric Heat Pump. Frequently we receive calls from customers who do not
understand the functions of the Heat Pump Thermostats. This guide is a quick run through of
the information already provided in the Thermostat Operation Manual, included with each
thermostat.
The Heat Pump is an electric source for heat. It will supply and maintain heat assuming the
outside (ambient) temperature is above 40 degrees. This number of course can be slightly
higher or lower depending on the humidity. Higher humidity can cause a heat pump to lose
efficiency at a slightly higher ambient temperature, while lower humidity can cause a heat
pump to lose efficiency at a lower ambient temperature.
Since no one wants to wake up to find that the outside temperature dropped below forty
degrees and it is now 50 degrees inside the coach, the Heat Pump thermostats are programmed
internally to recognize when the temperature drops five degrees or more from the set
temperature to the actual inside room temperature. When the temperature exceeds five
degrees or more between the two, the thermostat will default to the next available heat
source.
The thermostat, upon sensing a temperature split of five degrees or more in the electric heat
mode will bring the gas heat on to assist the electric heat. This is the first strike. A strike is
created by the thermostat having to change modes (or run dual modes to sustain a
temperature split). The electric heat and the gas heat will continue to run together until the
thermostat reaches the set temperature and satisfies. When the electric heat comes back on, it
will be in electric heat only at that point. If the temperature again drops five degrees or more
from the set point, the thermostat will again bring the gas heat on to assist. This is strike two.
The system will then go through the above stated procedures. If the temp should drop five
degrees from set point for a third time, the thermostat will give up on the electric heat, lock the
electric heat out for two hours (showing either DIFF on the display or FLASHING GAS HEAT on
the display) and default to Gas heat only. You WILL NOT be able to run any Electric heat
during this two hour lockout.
