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[granddi]

We just moved into a home with a heat pump (heating and AC system). Our previous homes used traditional gas heating and elect AC.

The unit is about 10-12 years old and seems to be doing a good job. My complaint is the humidity inside the house runs very high when the AC is going and very low when the Heat is going. 

Any thoughts or experiences in using Heat Pumps.

[fthunt]

Yes, heat pumps are terrible and worthless.  Our new house had one and we were cold in the winter and warm in the summer.  As soon as gas was available to our section of properties - we got rid of that useless machine.

[itsmagic]

Our last house had a heat pump and I don’t know why because we live in the Midwest where it gets really cold in the winter and it just couldn’t adequately heat the house.  We added a gas furnace and kept the heat pump only for air conditioning in the summer. 

[geezerette]

I have to agree with @itsmagic and @fthunt for the most part.  I hate heat pumps!  They just don’t heat adequately in the cold weather.  Our a/c has never been a problem with cooling.

We have lived with gas heat and there is no comparison.  Gas actually keeps you warm when you need it.  We had a heat pump years ago and hated it.  When we moved back to a rural area again with no natural gas available, we were told that the heat pump technology had changed in the time we had one before.  Not so!  It still freezes me unless I keep the emergency heat feature on, which sends the electric bill sky high.  

We don't find that the humidity rises with the a/c.  Our part of the country is naturally more humid in the warm/hot weather.  I’m glad when it gets hot enough to turn on the a/c to take the humidity out of the house.  

As for the heat being drying, that happens pretty much with any furnace.  I find the electric heat less drying than gas.

[fthunt]

Itsmajic - could be you got a heat pump because - - it was a good salesman who sold it to homeowner or builder - or - builder got a rock bottom price if he bought it - and keeping warm and/or cool wouldn't be his problem.  LOL   In my case - gas co refused to bring line in for only a dozen houses - but after more were built the State or County  ??   forced them to provide a choice in heating.

My niece in Melbourne Beach just switched to electric - HP couldn't keep her cool in those hot temps. (gas not allowed on barrier island)

[Tigriss]

I'm on the opposite side of things.  I live in the deep southeast and heat pumps are normal for us.  In the winter we use humidifiers if needed, but we are humid down here anyway.  In the summer our A/C pulls the humidity out of the air, which is one of the ways it lowers the temperature since humidity magnifies the temperature.  You may need to get it serviced if it isn't cooling or heating enough depending on where you live in the country. 

The building I work in has a swamp cooler, a coil with water running over it and fan that blows air to cool the building.  It does not work down here because of the humidity.  It is also expensive to fix since it seems it the only one in the region.  We have to have parts custom made for it when it breaks, which is yearly at this point.  I do think it was an under the table deal when it was decided to use this kind of A/C.  We don't have normal heat but an electric coil that is not cutting it this week with the temps in the 20s, snow, and ice in my yard and the wind chill at 9.  Things are due to warm up down here by the end of the week, but it is very cold and our roads and vehicles are not made for this kind of weather.  I stayed home today!  Swamp coolers do work much better in the dryer climates, but not our moist one.

I would talk to the neighbors about their units and see if mine is not typical for the area or get it changed out if it isn't serviceable/cost efficient.

[CrazyDaisy]

Heat pumps appear to not heat because it will blow cool air rather then the warm air other types may.  The temp of the blowing air is what the thermostat is set at, which is usually well below body temp, making it feel like a cool breeze.  I have found that by adding a humidifier to put some water into the air make it feel much more comfortable.

[Shelbelle]

We are now on our 3rd one, keep upgrading, and yes, they are worthless!!

[Shop Till you Drop]

My house is all electric and I have a heat pump and live in the TX so really hot summers and mild winters.  It cools my home just fine in the summer and the heat is sufficient in the winter except we have have really cold spell like we are having now.  It just blows hot air through the vents, then when the cycle is over the house gets very cold again. I switch it to the emergency heat mode in really cold weather and that seems to heat the house better.  Then when we get back to our normal winter, I switch back to normal heat.

[geezerette]

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@Shop Till you Drop wrote:

My house is all electric and I have a heat pump and live in the TX so really hot summers and mild winters.  It cools my home just fine in the summer and the heat is sufficient in the winter except we have have really cold spell like we are having now.  It just blows hot air through the vents, then when the cycle is over the house gets very cold again. I switch it to the emergency heat mode in really cold weather and that seems to heat the house better.  Then when we get back to our normal winter, I switch back to normal heat.

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@Shop Till you Drop

We’re not as far south as Texas, but usually our heat pump is tolerable for most of our winter weather. I was raised in the upper Midwest and had never heard of a heat pump until I moved south.

When we get a cold snap like we’re having now, I turn the thermostat up higher than I normally keep it.  That will cause the emergency heat to come on more often than normal to make it feel warmer while the blower is on.  When it gets too warm, I can just lower the thermostat as needed.  That way I’m not having to fuss with changing heat modes.

On a side note, I hope your mother is hanging in there.  You both continue to be in my prayers.🙏❤️