dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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How does the Heat Pump Thermostat Work
The RvComfort.HP, the RvComfort.PHP, the Coleman True-Air, and the RvComfort.ZC
thermostats by RvProducts Inc. are all capable of running not only an Air Conditioning unit, but
also an Electric Heat Pump. Frequently we receive calls from customers who do not
understand the functions of the Heat Pump Thermostats. This guide is a quick run through of
the information already provided in the Thermostat Operation Manual, included with each
thermostat.
The Heat Pump is an electric source for heat. It will supply and maintain heat assuming the
outside (ambient) temperature is above 40 degrees. This number of course can be slightly
higher or lower depending on the humidity. Higher humidity can cause a heat pump to lose
efficiency at a slightly higher ambient temperature, while lower humidity can cause a heat
pump to lose efficiency at a lower ambient temperature.
Since no one wants to wake up to find that the outside temperature dropped below forty
degrees and it is now 50 degrees inside the coach, the Heat Pump thermostats are programmed
internally to recognize when the temperature drops five degrees or more from the set
temperature to the actual inside room temperature. When the temperature exceeds five
degrees or more between the two, the thermostat will default to the next available heat
source.
The thermostat, upon sensing a temperature split of five degrees or more in the electric heat
mode will bring the gas heat on to assist the electric heat. This is the first strike. A strike is
created by the thermostat having to change modes (or run dual modes to sustain a
temperature split). The electric heat and the gas heat will continue to run together until the
thermostat reaches the set temperature and satisfies. When the electric heat comes back on, it
will be in electric heat only at that point. If the temperature again drops five degrees or more
from the set point, the thermostat will again bring the gas heat on to assist. This is strike two.
The system will then go through the above stated procedures. If the temp should drop five
degrees from set point for a third time, the thermostat will give up on the electric heat, lock the
electric heat out for two hours (showing either DIFF on the display or FLASHING GAS HEAT on
the display) and default to Gas heat only. You WILL NOT be able to run any Electric heat
during this two hour lockout.
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barberbunch
28327
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Doug, again thank you. I like to know how things work and why they are designed the way they are. This information is priceless. I had not been able to find anything this thorough and clear to understand during my research. After a career in the Air Force and just the business of life, we are just now getting to the place where we can start to use our RV. It's older, so there have been a few kinks to work out. This information is very helpful. You should write a book (if you haven't already). I'm new to the forum, but I will try to figure out how to follow your posts specifically. Thanks again.
Al Barber
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vidotchis
Washinton DC
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Joined: 10/27/2021
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After opening the camper for the first time, Zone 2 unit wasn't working, initially, there was an error code E1. The problem was with the power to the air conditioner unit. Is the issue with the air source heat pump? Is it ok to replace the circuit board in Zone 1 and Zone 2.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2000
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Al,
Welcome to the forums! We are glad you are here and hope you find all the information you need. You will find our members to be very knowledgeable and helpful for the most part.
Are you by chance the same Al Barber I knew from the FamCamp down at MacDill AFB in the winter months?
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD
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TXiceman
Bryan, TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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dougrainer wrote:How does the Heat Pump Thermostat Work
The RvComfort.HP, the RvComfort.PHP, the Coleman True-Air, and the RvComfort.ZC
thermostats by RvProducts Inc. are all capable of running not only an Air Conditioning unit, but
also an Electric Heat Pump. Frequently we receive calls from customers who do not
understand the functions of the Heat Pump Thermostats. This guide is a quick run through of
the information already provided in the Thermostat Operation Manual, included with each
thermostat.
.
Doug, thanks for the explanation for those that refuse to read the instructions for the thermostat. It is all there in plain print.
Anytime we are where it will be dropping to near 40 degF ambient during the night, I shut down the heat pump and plan to use my small space heaters and/or propane heat. No sense in torturing the poor unit.
Ken
Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
2013 HitchHiker 38RLRSB Champagne (FORSALE), toted with a 2012, F350, 6.7L PSD, Crewcab, dually. 3.73 axle (truck is sold), FORMER Full Time RVer. Travel with a standard schnauzer and a Timneh African Gray parrot
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barberbunch
28327
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No, not the same one, but it may still be a small world. I am retired USAF, and in my travels, I discovered that there was another Al Barber out there, possibly a military retiree as well. I hope I responded the correct way. I wasn’t sure if I could answer you directly.
Al Barber
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Bob Vaughn
Seffner, Fl.
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Joined: 06/19/2007
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Do not go with the Atwood Heat Pump it is useless...
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Yes Al, there is another retired USAF (He may have been Navy) Al Barber out there! He was a regular snowbird at the MacDill AFB Famcamp for many years - as were we. I don't know if he is still RVing or not or even if he is still alive. A lot of us are really getting up there in years!![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek")
Thanks for answering my question.
Barney
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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dougrainer wrote:
The Heat Pump is an electric source for heat. It will supply and maintain heat assuming the
outside (ambient) temperature is above 40 degrees.
Just a slight clarification: Both use electric for power but in very different ways.
- A heat strip converts electrical power to heat power. It's basically like a toaster with a fan blowing across the coils. The total electrical power that goes in will roughly equal the heat power out. Very similar to a small electric space heater but built into the air/con unit. It will put out the same amount of heat energy regardless of the interior or exterior temperature.
- A heat pump, uses electricity to run a "pump" to push heat from outside to inside (or vice versa when cooling). As a result it tends to be more efficient than a heat strip at moderate temps but as it gets colder outside, it takes more electrical power to push across the larger temperature difference (similar to pumping water to a greater height). (A traditional roof air/con unit is basically a one way heat pump that can only pump heat from inside to outside).
An analogy: Moving a wheeled cart.
- Heat Strip is like lifting cart off the ground. You might be able to lift a 200lb cart by yourself but quickly you will reach your limit. (this is also equivalent to a propane furnace where chemical energy stored in the propane is converted to heat energy). If it's within your lifting ability, the slope of the hill you are standing on doesn't make much difference so long as you can stand securely.
- Heat pump is like pushing the cart forward on the wheels. I can push a 3000lb compact car on level pavement by myself. I can push a 500-600lb cart up a 2-4% slope (far more than I could lift). But as you increase the slope, it gets harder and harder and the cart moves slower and slower. A steep hill is equivalent to heating in cold weather...eventually, the pump simply can't overcome the temperature difference.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
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TXiceman
Bryan, TX
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With an electric strip heater and 12.5 amps at 120 volts you will get 1500 Watts of heat which is 5,118 BTUH. If you run that same 12.5 amps and 120 volts on a heat pump, it will produce 10,000 to 12,000 BTUH. A bit over twice the heat output than an electric strip heater.
Ken
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