JANUARY 13, 2022 Heating and cooling systems installed in a home may vary from central furnaces, boilers, electric baseboards to heat pumps. The most common type of heating/cooling (HVAC) system used in the USA is the central furnace  – which may be singles stage or multi-stage. A heat pump is used in regions with a moderate climate, where summer/winter is not that extreme at any time. In this article, we guide you through heat pump thermostat models, ideal to control the heat pump in your home. As I wrote above, a majority (90%) of homes in the USA rely on central furnace based systems, or boiler-based systems or heat pump systems. Only about 10% of homes in America use electric baseboards for heating (these homes would be either old constructions or located in places where electricity is cheap). In regions with a moderate climate, a heat pump (with emergency heat) alone is usually enough for home heating/cooling. Homes located in extreme weather regions often use a heat pu...

#1 Compatibility – The very first thing to keep in mind is not all thermostat models are compatible with a heat pump system. There are thermostat models that do not support HVAC systems with a heat pump. You’ve to read the specifications very clearly before you order your thermostat. Note: Read our guide on thermostat compatibility for popular thermostat models.   #2 Wiring – The wiring required for a heat pump is different from other HVAC systems like a central furnace system. So the thermostat you’re considering should support the wiring required for a heat pump. You’ve to check with the manufacturer’s specifications or check the model number online to see if it supports a heat pump system. #3 Heat Pumps with Aux/Emergency Heating – If your heat pump has an aux/emergency heat option, then you’ve to choose a thermostat model that supports the same. Keep in mind there are thermostat models that support a heat pump but are not compati...

Heat pumps can switch between heating and cooling to create a comfortable indoor climate. However, you may wonder whether a heat pump requires a special thermostat. So, we researched more about thermostats for heat pumps to provide you with an answer.   You need a special thermostat for a heat pump because it needs to be able to communicate with the reversing valve when changing from heating to cooling. Heat pumps rely on outside air and electricity. Heat pump thermostats will typically have a fifth wire explicitly for the reversing valve. Regular thermostats only have four wires.   Thanks to advancements in technology, you can successfully install programmable Wi-Fi or Smart thermostats with various heat pump models. Discover more interesting information about using heat pumps, thermostats, and controlling your home's climate in this post. 

The average thermostat most people encounter is designed for an HVAC system that controls the fan, power, cool, and heat. There are four wires with this type of thermostat. But a heat pump needs a special thermostat with five wires.   The fifth wire in a heat pump thermostat is the reversing or changeover wire, which controls the reversing valve, allowing a switch between heating and cooling. This wire is not an AC wire and care should be taken with connections.   Additionally, there may be an emergency wire to cut off the heat pump when needed. Also, many thermostats for heat pumps are designed to be energy efficient, leading to a lower energy bill than when using a standard central furnace.   Do your homework before settling on a new thermostat for your heat pump. Know what your lifestyle needs are, consider average temperatures, energy costs, and how your choice of thermostat model will impact your aesthetics.

Manual thermostats are usually less expensive than high-end, internet-connected devices that are programmable. Prepare to spend anywhere from $15 to $300 for a thermostat. The rates for hiring professional installation vary.   You will most likely need to employ an electrician, with an average rate of $65 to $100 an hour for rendering services. If you feel confident enough to handle installing a thermostat without professional help, you can save money.   A home's square footage also impacts the cost of a thermostat installation. The average price range for a thermostat and installation altogether is between $112 and $254. Poor installation is risky and dangerous, so hire help if needed.   If you are on a strict budget, opt for a manual or non-programmable thermostat versus a fancy smart thermostat with all the bells and whistles. A programmable electric thermostat is a middle-of-the-road choice that most will accept.

ou don't really need a programmable thermostat if you have a heat pump. Because a heat pump may need to quickly shift from heating to cooling, it doesn't make sense to set the thermostat at a set temperature for extended periods.   When a heat pump is in heating mode, there may be more energy inefficiency when a programmable thermostat sets the temperature back at designated times. However, there are newer programmable thermostat models for heat pumps.   With a programmable thermostat, you don't want to cause a heat pump to rely on backup electric resistance systems. You usually save on energy and lower bills by keeping your heat pump in cooling mode versus heat mode.   Keep your home comfortable if you use a heat pump thermostat. You may want to set the temperature at a lower point when you're away from home or asleep. A wide range of thermostat settings for a heat pump isn't as necessary compared to a furnace.   Know before you make a final decision on a thermosta...

When it comes to thermostat series products, they are not all one-size-fits-all. You have to look over your choice of thermostat before attempting to install it with a heat pump, furnace, or another type of HVAC system. There are no universal thermostats.   Thermostats designed for a heat pump will have specific modes listed on the back or will contain wiring for the reversing valve, emergency, and other settings. However, the average thermostat for a furnace or boiler is different.   Don't make the mistake of thinking you can utilize any thermostat with your HVAC system. Also, be aware that there are smart thermostats that may require integration with your internet-connected devices or other needs to function.   Some thermostats are programmable, which allows you to set your HVAC system as you desire at specific points throughout your day. Other cost-effective thermostats are manual and require you to set it to cooling, heating, or fan.

You can install a heat pump to an existing gas furnace by using a dual fuel system. This framework uses a split or packaged unit to pull energy from two sources: electricity and gas. The resulting construct combines the heating consistency of the existing gas furnace and the heat pump’s improved temperature-providing performance.

Proper wiring is essential to create the dual or hybrid heating system brought by a furnace and heat pump. Additionally, a thermostat should connect the two heating units, and it’ll act as the temperature control center for the home. The resulting setup allows the heat pump thermostat to regulate the temperature automatically and more efficiently than before. First, the thermostat will increase the premises’ temperature to a certain temperature using the heat pump. Then, once the outdoor ambient temperature reduces to a specific level, the thermostat will activate the furnace to support the system. Before proceeding, be wary that you shouldn’t run both heating units in ‘Heat Mode’ simultaneously. Otherwise, the system’s overall heat will exceed normal levels, causing issues like physical damage to the heating agents and dehydration to household members and guests. Take note that the items needed for this operation should come with the different devic...

Heat Pump Thermostat Step-By-Step Guide 1.Connect the red 24-volt wire from the furnace’s control board to the wireless heating thermostats. 2.Attach the orange wire from the thermostat to the furnace’s board. Make sure that this connection goes through the heat pump’s board for the thermostat to automatically reverse the cooling mode when necessary. 3.Link the wire in the yellow or 'Y' terminal from the thermostat to the furnace’s board. Then, connect the same wire to the heat pump’s board. 4.Connect the green wire from the thermostat to the appropriately labeled terminal in the furnace’s board. You’ll know that it’s the correct station if it has the letter ‘G’ adjacent to it. 5.Join the aux/e terminal from the thermostat with a white wire to the 'ww1' station in the furnace’s board. 6.Connect the 'w2' terminal of the heat pump’s board with the same white wire used in the previous step to the furnace’s 'ww1'...

At What Temperature Do Heat Pumps Become Ineffective? Heat pumps generally become ineffective if the outside temperature falls between 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature range, the air in the area should freeze moisture. In turn, the potency of a typical heat pump would lose efficiency as it struggles to supply warmth. Properties in regions that experience this issue might install backup heating systems. These options may include: Natural gas furnace: Ideal for emergency heating without the worry of paying for significant electricity costs. Electric heat strips: Supplementary heating sources with fairly reasonable pricing structures. Although, these products might only increase the supplied heat up to a certain extent.

A heat pump’s overhead often depends on its type. The following are the average costs to expect when purchasing and installing a new heat-pumping system: Geothermal: $13,000 to $36,000 Gas: $4,300 to $8,000 Air-Source: $3,300 to $7,500 Ductless Mini-Split System: $1,500 to $5,000 Other factors that influence the total costs of adding a heat pump include: Size Brand Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Heating Seasonal Performance Ratio (HSPF) Professional Labor If you’re looking at furnaces, keep in mind that these heating systems don’t usually use SEER ratings to measure their supplied heat.