If you have been enjoying energy efficient heating all winter with your new heat pump, now is the time to switch your heat pump over to cooling mode for the summer. If this is your first year with a heat pump you may be surprised to find that switching from heating to cooling is not much different than with your old furnace and central air conditioning system. Simply change your thermostat from “Heat” to “Cool”, select your temperature setting and you are all set!
If you have a programmable thermostat, set the program for comfort and energy saving settings for the cooling season. Although using a setback program in the winter months is not energy efficient with a heat pump, it is fine to use one in the summer when the heat pump is in cooling mode. In the summer, a heat pump works just like a central air conditioning system.
Check the fan to make sure it is set to “Auto.” In the auto mode, the fan will only run while the heat pump is operating. Many homeowners prefer to leave the fan in the “On” position. When the fan runs constantly, air is circulated throughout the home and temperatures are more even. However, in the summer, leaving the fan on when the heat pump is not running can increase the humidity level inside your home and decrease your comfort level.
Your heat pump removes moisture from the air when in air conditioning mode by condensing the moisture on the coils inside the air handler. The moisture drips into a pan below the coil and drains out of your home. If the fan is running when the heat pump is not operating, some of the moisture remaining on the coils will be blown back into your home which will increase the humidity level. Higher humidity means decreased comfort so remember to switch the fan to “Auto” in the summer months.
