Heat Pump System - Only Heat & Cool Mode On Controls …No Aux or EM Heat Mode options, What do you experienced inspectors note and recommend? Thermostate idicated stage 1 + 2 was on
I would note that I wasn’t able to test whatever the EM Heat would control (gas furnace, electric heat strips, etc.) unless you found another way to do that. And then I would recommend a qualified HVAC contractor install a proper thermostat and thermostat wiring for the system.
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Probably the wrong thermostat. You only need to suggest further evaluation by an HVAC technician. Do not attempt further diagnosis.
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Depending on your location, some heat pumps don’t require auxiliary/emergency settings. If you are in a warmer climate, the heat pump may be the only source of heat.
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Are you sure it was a heat pump system, not just an electric furnace? If you are sure it is a heatpump, just report that it appears to have the wrong type of thermostat and you are unable to check the supplemental heat system…. Also, not all heat pumps have supplemental heat trips installed!
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Positive it was a heat pump. never saw one that stated on the controls stage 1 + 2 intead of the normal Aux Heat or EM Heat. This was a new build in South Georgia. It was wired for heat strips in the air handler in the attic and the thermostat was also wired in such a wire for the use of Aux Heat strips. No mode other than Heat & Cool to toggle from.
Well then, it sounds like they have the wrong type of thermostat installed…. This is not all that uncommon…
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Then the wrong thermostat was installed unless the system automatically coverts over at a certain temperature.
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That’s the unknown. I have ran into systems like that. The homeowner can’t always manually control what heat source gets used.
On a related note, we have a lot of load control set ups in my area. Sometimes the utility happens to be doing load control during the inspection. Really makes things confusing, as the proper equipment doesn’t come on when one would expect it based on thermostat settings.
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Him being in South GA, the climate is fairly warm there with a few deep freezes there a year. My guess is that the system is internally programmed to kick in when temp is below 40 degrees. The manual switch is not necessary if this is the case.
Of course there is no way to test this unless you are there when the temperature drops to the activation level. 
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I worked as a hvac technician and found the right thermostat installed like the Honeywell T6 Pro. But the homeowner didn’t program it as a heat pump with 2 stages of heat. This will cause the emergency heat mode to not show up. Easy fix… for the licensed contractor
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Thats what I think as well…but for now it just become a recommendation. wasted a lot of time on it today.
appreciate the help
Hugh Help From everybody!
We have a new build contractor that programs the thermostat to automatically kick in the aux heat at a set point of 38 degrees and installs a thermostat that is programmed to not allow the manual options. If I see their name, I know I am only going to be able to explain the system for aux heat to the client. It is frustrating as the HI, but the company doing the installs has stated that they get about 75 percent less on the service calls since they have taken it out of the clients hands. I just disclose that the secondary heat source was not able to be tested based on the set up if the thermostat.
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Auxiliary heat, around here, is used to bring the heat up quickly. For instance, to get the heat up to 70 quickly upon returning from an extended absence where the heat has been turned down to 55*.
If the HVAC contractor takes manual use of the auxiliary heat out of the equation, how can the heat be brought up to desired temperature quickly?
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Around here it usually gets used when the cap on the condenser fails. I often get calls when something fails because I’m cheap, fast and local and they used me for their home inspection two years ago.
Anyway, my point is, I got a call from the home owner that his electric bill was sky high in the rental property I had inspected a long time ago. Since I used to do HVAC work as well as the HI thing, I’m certain I can at least figure out the problem.
I get to the home, it’s mid February and cold. Yes kids, it does get into the 50s and 60s in Florida. Sometimes even the 30s and 40s, but those unicorns are twice a year. Anyway met the home owner, go inside, it’s nice and toasty. Go into garage, air handler, working fine. Go outside, condenser isn’t running. Go back inside EM HEAT, set on 81. "I asked why it was set on 81”. “I’m cold”.
Did the heat start acting funny? She said yeah, that cold snap we had in December? I heard a loud bang, and haven’t heard the pump running(it’s right outside the kitchen window), but the house was warm so figured it was ok.
Allllrighty then. 8 weeks of EM heat on 81 degrees. WEEEEEEE. Case closed.
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Morning, Michael. Hope to find you well, and welcome back to the message board after your brief 7 month hiatus.
Manufacturer model and serial numbers please.
Images of the interior HVAC system and controls.
I’m good Robert, thanks. I have what I need. Very helpful forum. I’ll plan on contributing more in the future. I love that you looked up my history.
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You are welcome.
Happy you have what you need.
Personally, I saw no manufacturing model or serial numbers on what controls would be provided.
I learned to live off of such details as not to have complaints.
Best regards.