I have a 40AQ Carrier heating unit coupled with ComfortStar outdoor air conditioner unit. It is winter and the heating unit is working normaly but at one point the air blowing through the duct is not hot but room temperature. When I look outside at the outdoor unit, the I can see the fan running. I was told by a friend that the outdoor unit should not be running in the winter. I am not sure if the two issues are related, or if there is an issue at all. My questions are:
1) Should the outdoor unit fan be running in the winter?
2) Is cool air coming from the duct a sign of a problem.
Thanks

If the system is a heat pump, the outdoor unit will run during the winter. If the system is not a heat pump and the outdoor unit is strictly for ac, then the fan should definitely not be running when the system is set to heat. Now, everybodys idea of warm or cool air is a little different, but if the air is noticeably cooler than normal, I would say you have a problem with heat and ac being on at the same time. This could be a thermostat problem, thermostat wires problem, or furnace control or control board problem. If indeed the heat and ac are running at the same time, better get it fixed or your gas bill will be through the roof.