Heat Pumps

I sitting in Columbus, Ohio today and it is cold! In addition, it has been cold in the Grand Strand area for the past several days. Before we discuss the Grand Strand and heat pumps, I must comment that if someone tries to sell someone a heat pump in central Ohio you need to get a second and third opinion.
The Grand Strand area is a good area for heat pumps. But keep in mind as the temperatures drop below 38 degrees F the efficiency of the unit drops and at some point the auxiliary heating strips will come on to keep your home warm. This is the design but realize your electric meter will start spinning as your heating costs go up. The heating strips operate like a portable electric heater and will warm your home but are highly inefficient. The recommendation from the experts is to keep your heat setting at 68 degrees F to minimize your costs.
One method to check your heat pump is to check the temperature at the register. If the outside temperature is above 40 degrees F, the temperature of the air from the register should be at least 90 degrees F without assistance from the heating strips. If it is below 90 degrees, it might be time to call a qualified HVAC contractor to check your unit. Hopefully these tips will keep you warm and your heating costs reasonable.
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