How to know if a unit has heat pump
I am looking at a used unit, whose manufacturer has gone out of biz. The brochure mentions the heat pump as an option, but can't tell if this particular unit has one or not. Salesman says it says,...
Forum Discussion
Jane - It has nothing to do with A/C, except that the system reverses to make heat when you need it. The question you should ask is 'Is it better then a furnace ?"
I think Dave answered your question.
Keep in mind that if the unit is plumbed into the ductwork, when you switch to the heat pump, you will get heat coming out of the ceiling ducts - not ideal because heat rises. That is why I like my furnace - it has separate ducts in the floor.
I think the main advantage to a heat pump is contained in Avan's answer. You can use park electricity instead of your own propane. But that only works if you are not paying for electricity separately. And remember that a heat pump starts getting very inefficient when the temps drop below about 32 degrees. The thing will run and run but generate very little heat.
Think of a heat pump as the reverse of an A/C unit. A heat pump pulls heat from the outside air and pushes the heat into your camper. So when the outside air gets colder, there is less and less heat that it can pull (efficiently) from that air. And unfortunately for you, that's exactly when you will want more heat.
I think Dave answered your question.
Keep in mind that if the unit is plumbed into the ductwork, when you switch to the heat pump, you will get heat coming out of the ceiling ducts - not ideal because heat rises. That is why I like my furnace - it has separate ducts in the floor.
I think the main advantage to a heat pump is contained in Avan's answer. You can use park electricity instead of your own propane. But that only works if you are not paying for electricity separately. And remember that a heat pump starts getting very inefficient when the temps drop below about 32 degrees. The thing will run and run but generate very little heat.
Think of a heat pump as the reverse of an A/C unit. A heat pump pulls heat from the outside air and pushes the heat into your camper. So when the outside air gets colder, there is less and less heat that it can pull (efficiently) from that air. And unfortunately for you, that's exactly when you will want more heat.
