Hi Folks,
I have a fairly basic question about the proper function of my heat pump (heat cycle).
During warmer weather 45F and above the unit comes on and heats seemingly ok. Once the temp has dropped below 45F or so then it seems my gas on the inside furnace runs much more and the heat pump does not come on. Is this normal operation or should I be expecting the heat pump to give me heat below 45F? Earlier in the summer the air conditioning had quit, we had a company out and they replaced a small valve which fixed the air conditiong but I am now concerned why the gas is on so much on the furnace.
Things I do know is that there is a thermostat outside that shows me the outside air temperature. Am I concerned about nothing? I thought heat pumps worked even in cold weather?
Appreciate your help.

smtx

At 45F your unit should be able to provide most or all your heating needs, unless the unit is grossly undersized (which I doubt). My aging 18 year old York was providing all my heating needs this morning with 40F outdoor temps. I even have the furnace locked out above 40F to keep the wifey from impatiently demand being warm right now!

A number of things come to mind that might be wrong: refrigerant leak, bad control module/board in heat pump, bad tstat, etc.

Dac122,
Thanks for your input, I thought so, just seems my aux heat is on at too high a tempurature. I suppose the cut-over is set a little to high. I mean to say the aux seems to come on too soon. IE around 43F and I don't see the heat pump come on below this.
I suppose the fine-tune parameter is where gas cost more than electric KWH to run the heat pump. But my hunch is that the heat pump is still cheaper to run to a certain point.

smtx123

Depending on the performance of your heat pump (Coefficient of Performance Curve), your electric and gas rates, a heat pump can be more cost effective to run than your furnace down to a certain temp. We call that the economic balance point.

Once you figure out what's wrong and get it addressed, go repost and we can fine tune where your HP should cut out and furnace take over to maximize your savings.