Trane Heat Pump with Gas Backup
Comments
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That’s an impossible question for us to answer, but here are some things to consider:
1. your heat loss: sometimes, you may exceed the capacity of the heat pump, so you’ll need the backup. We don’t know your heat loss so we can’t tell you what temp that would be at. You may never exceed the heat pumps capacity, in which case this is unnecessary.
2. Economic balance point: at some temps, one system may be cheaper than the other. For me, the heat pump is always cheaper. For others, the heat pump will never be. Most fall somewhere in between. The colder it gets, the more expensive a heat pump will be. As electricity prices and gas prices change frequently, this is a moving target that frankly might be a waste of time thinking too hard about.
3. Duct capacity: the air leaving a heat pump will be at a lower temperature than a furnace. Therefore, on the coldest days, you might need the furnace to increase the supply air temp to provide enough heat for the same volume of air (CFM) even if the heat pump has enough capacity to otherwise heat the house.
4. Demand flexibility: some places incentivize using less electricity during peak periods. This would be a great time to use the furnace, especially if the utility is paying you decently.
5. Overall efficiency/emissions: generally, heat pumps pollute less because using gas to power them is more efficient than burning gas directly, especially in a low efficiency furnace like that Trane. If that’s important to you, try to use the heat pump more.
The simplest solution is trial and error, all you’re doing is pushing a button, so if you want to change something it’s not a big deal. Maybe try 20F to start and go from there.
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If you're interested in #2, post a redacted gas and electric bill and we can show you the calculations to use. They're simple once you have the prices available.0
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or just pick a random number like 27°F and see if that works for you.
If it don't then change it.Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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Thanks everyone!0
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American Standard and TRANE are made in the same factory and often have identical equipment with a small change to the part number. I was an American Standard dealer when TRANE and Am Std came out with the variable speed equipment. They have a proprietary communicating thermostat that lets the compressor and fans and gas valves know what speed that they should operate. Very sophisticated piece of equipment. I believe that the thermostat will make that change automatically if you do nothing. However there is a setting that will override the outdoor temperature at which the changeover takes place. If you have access to that setting, I would try a random number at or below freezing (like 27°F) and see if that works for you. If you feel uncomfortable at that outdoor temperature, inside your home (and not because your wife is making you uncomfortable because you forgot St. Valentine's day) Then change the setting up a little and see if that makes a difference. Let it set in for a few days before you make another change. Eventually you will find the sweet spot.
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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