A heat pump that turns on and off every few minutes in winter is short cycling. How to tell it from normal defrost, the common causes from thermostat to refrigerant, and what you can check yourself.
What is heat pump emergency heat, how is it different from aux heat, when should you use it, and why it can double your winter electric bill.
How many kWh does a heat pump use? See typical usage by size and season, how to estimate your own cost, and what makes a heat pump use more electricity.
Do heat pumps work in the cold? See how standard and cold-climate heat pumps perform at 5°F and below, backup heat options, and how to size for winter.
Heat pump blowing cold air in heat mode? Check whether it is normal first, then work through 8 causes from thermostat settings to defrost and refrigerant problems.
Frost and short defrost cycles are normal. Thick ice that won’t melt is not. How defrost works, what normal looks like, why heat pumps ice up and what to do.
Estimate what size heat pump your home needs with our calculator and chart, and learn why cooling load, heating load and climate change the answer.
Heat pump or furnace? Compare operating costs per million BTU, upfront prices, comfort and climate, with a simple formula to use your own utility rates.