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fwdeubert
Jan 6, 2008, 11:58 AM
Have cool air from heat pump and sometimes barely warm. How does it work. When I move the stat to a higher temp, say from 65 to 68, the blower comes on but the green light for the heat does not. I have to move the stat to say 72 and then the light comes on, then I can move it back to 68. Is there a significant time delay for the heat element to start working? Is this system such that the heat element is partially working. If so where is it in the unit and can I test it with a continuity tester? Trying to figure this out. At one time the unit seemed to blow warm air but it is weak now. The unit is only 1 year or so old. aa carrier a/c and heat together on the roof. Stat is honeywell.could this be mis wired? I am pretty good at electric. Wired the entire house after thugs stole all my copper. All is fine there. Could the breaker be bad? I think it is a 60 amp. Took a cover off the unit but was unable to find the heat element. Please help if you can.

acetc
Jan 6, 2008, 03:37 PM
In a heat pump the aux. heat (electric strip heater) usually is on a different breaker then the compressor,the heaters are on the discharge side of the blower, the breaker may be in the control panel in the unit, open up the panels and if there is a breaker you will see it. Be sure to turn off power before touching anything, and yes you can check the continuity of the heaters with an ohm meter, most aux. heaters have a fusible link built in them. Good luck, Mike

fwdeubert
Jan 8, 2008, 08:53 PM
Hey thanks for that info. There is a elect box at the unit. I tried to get the fuse out but it is sticking and the wire handle on it broke. I guess I will shut the power off and try to figure out a way to get it out. This unit acts like no other I have had. When I turn the stst up ( to more heat) the blower comes on and slightly warm air, actually just barely warm. After about 5 min it is cool. Then after awhile it is warm. Weird eh? Will I have to tale out the blower or the duct work to access the coil?

Frdbrkl
Jan 9, 2008, 04:31 PM
You may be cycling on a limit due to a loose belt or packed filter. Check your filters and belt (if you have one). If this is a true heat pump, the heat (heat pump) should run-not the auxiliary/emergency heat strip. Think of a heat pump as an air conditioner with a reverse gear.

: )

Regarding the thermostat-it sounds like a mercury bulb type stat, and requires proper leveling to operate accurately. Place a small cheap line level on top of stat and check the level. You would be surprised how many of these little problems I find. Also look and see if the bimetal coil is "sprung" from mishandling and binding on the cover. If it's sprung, replace it. The money you save in efficiency will more than pay for the new stat.