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cazual6 · 01-05-2016, 01:45 PM

I see the Heat Pump feature on my Dometic Control along with Furnace. I was told to use the Furnace to keep warm, which I have been.

So when would I use the Heat pump?

55AS · 01-05-2016, 01:55 PM

If you are hooked up to Shore Power you can use the Heat Pump for free (as opposed to burning propane in the furnace). In very cold conditions, the heat pump will be ineffective and you will need to use the furnace even if connected to shore power.

KJRitchie · 01-05-2016, 02:42 PM

I find the propane furnace not as noisy to run and it seems to heat up the trailer faster then cycles off. I rarely have used the heat pump. I run it a little every season to verify its working. I would use it in cooler weather if, say I was leaving for a couple of hours and upon return the trailer would still be warm, then switch over to furnace. I least I wouldn't have used propane while away.

Kelvin

55AS · 01-05-2016, 02:45 PM

In my case, heat pump is very quiet (almost silent) and does not cycle much.

**DKB_SATX** · 01-05-2016, 02:55 PM

I don't know what the newer ducted-AC systems are like, but on non-ducted modern Airstreams with the heat pump, the heatpump noise is much more intrusive than the furnace IMHO.

dznf0g · 01-05-2016, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

I don't know what the newer ducted-AC systems are like, but on non-ducted modern Airstreams with the heat pump, the heatpump noise is much more intrusive than the furnace IMHO.

Neither one bothers me.

Foiled Again · 01-05-2016, 03:02 PM

heatpump - above 35 F and someone else is paying for the electricity
furnace - no hookups, below 35 or just when the noise of the HP is driving you nuts

The furnace is a propane pig. My Avion has a catalytic heater which is more efficient (no venting tho' so needs to be inspected and a CO detector is a must have).

There are VERY cute propane fireplaces which rumor has, will heat the Airstream to S. Florida temperatures and use little propane. Link on edit if I'm fast enough.

http://www.dickinsonmarine.com/

select marine fireplace heater (I like the smaller 9000 - and the EB even has a hole in it's head for the chimney - the ceiling vent in the bedroom. But do I want a fireplace in the bedroom?) Might even be able to modify the glass in the rear HATCH for the chimney.... no aluminum will be harmed in the installation of this fireplace?)

Paula

cazual6 · 01-05-2016, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BambiTex

In my case, heat pump is very quiet (almost silent) and does not cycle much.

Why is that exactly?

hhendrix · 01-05-2016, 10:45 PM

The heat pump is way too loud so we use a couple of ceramic electric heaters. We sit one on the stove and it's usually enough to keep it comfortable. When it's really cold, we plug the second one on in the bathroom and leave the door open.

Foiled Again · 01-05-2016, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BambiTex

In my case, heat pump is very quiet (almost silent) and does not cycle much.

Dear BambiTex - looked at your profile... Unless you've replaced the units, wouldn't you have heat strips rather than a heat pump?

My first - a 2005 - had heat strips (electric heating elements same as a space heater) rather than a heat pump (reversible a/c which pumps heat OUT in summer and IN in winter.) Even as recently as 10 years ago heat pumps were rare on trailers - but the technology has improved greatly since then.

Paula

m.hony · 01-06-2016, 10:59 AM

Use the heat pump to keep warm above 40 degrees.
Use the furnace below that.
My thermostat has an "auto" setting so that this happens without being doing anything.
Question is: Does your trailer have a heat pump? The thermostats may all have the setting.

WGreg · 01-06-2016, 11:52 AM

We use the heat pump above 35 degrees. It does a good job. As far as the heat pump noise, when we are in, we set the fan to run continuously. We seem to get accustomed to the fan noise, and the wife likes the noise when sleeping. To us, the furnace makes more noise. We think it's a cost advantage to use the electricity to heat rather than the propane. We will occasionally use a ceramic space heater too. I think it's important to use the propane furnace at below freezing temps to keep warm air circulating around the water and holding tanks.

JCWDCW · 01-06-2016, 11:57 AM

I find them both noisy and I use the catalytic heater whenever possible. I just set the rear fantastic to blow out slowly and allow air in through the through the front vent.
JCW

cazual6 · 01-06-2016, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.hony

Use the heat pump to keep warm above 40 degrees.
Use the furnace below that.
My thermostat has an "auto" setting so that this happens without being doing anything.
Question is: Does your trailer have a heat pump? The thermostats may all have the setting.

I have Dometic which has all the functions on it. I just scroll through the mode to get to HEAT PUMP or FURNACE.

m.hony · 01-06-2016, 08:21 PM

Is there an automatic setting?
If so use it.
It will automatically run the heat pump until it is too cold then switch to propane furnace.

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greghoro · 01-06-2016, 08:29 PM

Like Kelvin (KJRitchie), I put it in Heat Pump mode only when I am away. Too noisy when I am in the trailer.

When in furnace mode, I use a portable electric heater (Vornado DVTH) to supplement it.

When camping in cold weather, the furnace brings the inside up to temperature faster than the heat pump. You can also run the furnace when traveling, although I have not done so and can't comment on that practice.

Greg

m.hony · 01-07-2016, 04:09 AM

It is noisy, by warm.
When I am plugged up at a campground, heat pump costs no more.
If I run furnace, I'm using my propane that I had to buy.
For this reason I use water heater and refrigerator when on shore power too.

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paiceman · 01-07-2016, 04:26 AM

I use the furnace for any temp below 50 degrees F, above that I use the HP. Heat Pumps are simply taking outside air and "running" it by an electric heat strip and blowing it into the trailer. They are not designed to be efficient below 45 degrees F. Aside from the propane use I prefer the furnace.

m.hony · 01-07-2016, 04:28 AM

But the heat pump will still warm down into the 30's until it becomes useless-

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dznf0g · 01-07-2016, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paiceman

I use the furnace for any temp below 50 degrees F, above that I use the HP. Heat Pumps are simply taking outside air and "running" it by an electric heat strip and blowing it into the trailer. They are not designed to be efficient below 45 degrees F. Aside from the propane use I prefer the furnace.

Not quite. They take inside air and blow it over the evaporator (when A/C is used) which is now the condenser, in HP mode. The unit effectively runs backward, relative to the flow of refrigerant....thus absorbs heat from the outside air....down to about 38* with my particular unit. It then will switch to furnace operation automatically, if you program the CCC properly.

Read here: http://www.achrnews.com/articles/928...e-of-operation