Tyro2u
Lethbridge, Alberta
Senior Member
Joined: 04/27/2003
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I have never used my heat pumps, what have been your experiences? Do you recommend them and how exactly do they work?
40ft Class A DP
400hp Cummins
3 slides
full timer
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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Joined: 11/30/2000
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Had basement mounted HP on last class A MH and roof mounted on new Class C.
They work very well down to about 40 deg. than they will switch over to your gas furnace.
A HP is an AC unit that runs in reverse to take all the heat it can out of the cold air and convert it to heat for your RV.
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008
Class C passed Class A owner
Pontiac G6
There is NO such Thing as a B+
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dougrainer
Carrolton
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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A Heat Pump is an Air Conditioner that has the ability to work in reverse. In COOL mode it cools. In Heat Pump mode, it reverses the flow of Freon and then heats the interior. They are adequate down to about 36 degrees outside temp. When below 36 degrees they shut off and the LP furnace comes on. Doug
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Nomadac
Columbus, IN
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Joined: 11/22/2004
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I have two 15K roof heat pumps and they work great heating down to approx. 34-36 degrees where they begin to lose their heating ability. Then I have to switch my thermostat to Furnance for heating. They work just like any AC for cooling. Better then any roof air conditioner with a heat strip, IMO.
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
38KSO1 Cummins ISC 350HP
Car Dolly w/1996 Toyota RAV4 2WD
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix
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RAMBLER38
NEBRASKA
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Joined: 02/03/2004
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I agree with the other postings that it is the way to go for taking off the chills and heating when above the minimum temperature they will operate at. In addition, you are saving your propane fuel and using the electricity to heat with of which you are already paying for in the site fee. 50 amp service will allow you to run two units of which should easily heat your unit. Happy travels and Happy Holidays to all.
2004 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 38' PBDD
Buick LeSabre Toad
Brake Buddy
Remco Lube Pump
Remco Tow Bar (Blue OX AVENTA II)
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PeppyPilot
NW Chicago Suburbs
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Joined: 06/24/2002
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I agree with other posts that Heat Pumps are, in layman's terms, AC units working in reverse. As the outside temp gets lower, they become less effective and at best will work down to about 35F.
We do use them, but frequently use small ceramic units instead for electric heat, especially if it is colder out. Also, the heat in our unit is ducted thru the ceiling with the heat pump, and thru the floor with the furnace, which we like better.
This is just a personal preference thing, but I like the furnace for heat better than the heat pump. Among other things, in colder temps, the HP has to run a lot to keep the inside temp up; same conditions, the furnace does not have to run as much.
CJ, Pepe, Abby & Gretchen (in spirit)
2003 Itasca Suncruiser 33V
Workhorse W-20 chassis
2004 Jeep Liberty Limited w/Blue Ox
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Ames
South Central Florida
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Joined: 01/05/2001
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Early this year we replaced our two 13500 BTU straight cool AC units with 15000 BTU Heat Pumps in our Beaver and they work as mentioned above.
Great for us here in FL and other moderate climate areas or seasons as we do not have to fire up the diesel burner on the Aqua Hot if we do not want to. They get chill out on a cool morning in the 40-60 degree range that will be close to 70 by noon.
Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat
97 Beaver Patriot 40 Kitchen Slide
330 HP Member FMCA, BAC, Good Sam, CAT RV Club
Toad 04 Durango HEMI
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RRTom
California USA
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Joined: 07/21/2001
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We use our heat pumps in So. Cal. until we go to bed, then switch the bedroom unit to the furnace.
One thought. Since warm air rises, and the heat pump vents are overhead and the furnace vents near the floor, the furnace probably would do a better job of keeping the motor home evenly heated.
Show me your Flamingo
Floyd's Mom and Dad
Tom and Lerinda
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39L
FMCA F340565
Rallies: 9 (so far)
Website: www.Feathered-Friends.net
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zmotorsports
Utah
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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Your heat pumps work great down to about 38 to 40 degrees. They really shine in the 40-50 range to take the chill off. One thing to remember also is that with your heat pumps do not put any heat into your basement. So I usually recommend when temps get down into the low 40's to just turn on the furnace. Mike.
Mike & Chrystal (F315002)
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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Heat pumps are more efficient-200% more- than your furnace or electric heater because they move the heat, not create it. They loose their efficiency as the outside air gets colder as it becomes harder to make the outside air colder-they move the cold air from the inside to the outside. At around 40 degrees it's time to switch to your furnace/eclectic heat as the efficiency is about the same and at anything less than 30 they pretty much stop working, often freezing up. Fortunately many will automatically switch over to your furnace but you may be better off using a electric heater instead of your propane.
* This post was
edited 12/21/07 10:01am by Ivylog *
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
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