I believe I have a Payne heat pump, and it only blows slightly warm air and when the unit comes on, it turns on the outside unit. I always thought the outside unit went with the air conditioner, but I'm learning that isn't always the case.

I just installed a new thermostat, and didn't connect all the wires that were connected to the older thermostat. I also noticed after the installation that the unit said it couldn't be used with heat pumps. Now when I turn on the heat, with the new thermostat, the air is warmer and the outside unit doesn't come on.

I think this is great, but am I harming my system? Thanks for the help!

Ched

NO just pull the disconnect or breaker to the outside unit.

A heat pump normally has two sources of heat (1) the compressor outside; this normally feels cool at the vent (2) electric resistive heating; this normally feels warm at the vent. It sounds like you managed to switch your heat pump from primarily (1) to only (2).

The news of the damage you've done will soon come from your electric utility company. Just wait until you find out how much power method 2 uses.

A heat pump is essentially an Air conditioner that can operate in reverse. It can extract heat from the outside and move it inside or extract heat from inside and move it outside. It's efficient in doing this unless the outside temperature is cold. When it's slightly above freezing, the system can't work so backup, emergency or resistive heating heat kicks in. That heat is very expensive.

The main differences between conventional and a HP stat are: 1) HP's have reversing valves; 2) HP stats have emergency heat

You are not harming your system but others said it will be more expensive to run resistance heat all winter without the outside heat pump running. This is true but you can run your system without the outside unit running the only difference is the extra $$$ you will spend to heat your house.