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Old 11-23-2007, 12:40 PM   #1
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We have a 07 Vectra KD and I don't know that we understand exactly what is going on with the heating system. With the thermostat set at 70 degrees, in electric heat...is that the heat pump? And does the gas automatically come on if the temp is below a certain point? Or do we have to physically change it? What is the second thermostat in the bedroom for? Can we run the heat with the slides all in so that we have a smaller area to heat?
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Old 11-23-2007, 12:40 PM   #2
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We have a 07 Vectra KD and I don't know that we understand exactly what is going on with the heating system. With the thermostat set at 70 degrees, in electric heat...is that the heat pump? And does the gas automatically come on if the temp is below a certain point? Or do we have to physically change it? What is the second thermostat in the bedroom for? Can we run the heat with the slides all in so that we have a smaller area to heat?
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Old 11-23-2007, 12:49 PM   #3
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If you leave the main thermostat in the electric heat position, the gas furnace will come on if the heat pump shuts down due to too low of ambient (outside) temperature after a drop of five degrees.

For example, if you set the thermostat to 75 degrees (electric heat mode) and the heat pump can't operate, when the room temperature reaches 70 degrees, the gas furnace will automatically start.

The thermostat in the bath area is for the separate furnace that ducts to the bath area and bedroom.

At least on my coach, you can operate any furnace or heat pump/AC with the slides in. That makes sense if you are in a really cold area. Keep an eye on your plumbing bay - you might need a 100 watt light bulb in there to keep the space from freezing.
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Old 11-23-2007, 01:31 PM   #4
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by David and Fran:
We have a 07 Vectra KD and I don't know that we understand exactly what is going on with the heating system. With the thermostat set at 70 degrees, in electric heat...is that the heat pump? And does the gas automatically come on if the temp is below a certain point? Or do we have to physically change it? What is the second thermostat in the bedroom for? Can we run the heat with the slides all in so that we have a smaller area to heat? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What is the outside temperature? Heat pumps will only work if you have at least (In my case) 45-50 outside.And you'll get varied opinions on that too. If the Heat pump ( Like John says) can't keep up, the gas furnace will automatically come on.
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Old 11-23-2007, 02:17 PM   #5
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The heat pump we have has no defroster so when it freezes up depends on the humidity and the air temperature. We have had our heat pump work quite well into the mid-upper 30s or not work in the 40s with high humidity.
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Old 11-25-2007, 11:28 AM   #6
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Heat pumps will always "work". It is just that as the temperature approaches 40 deg it become less efficient because it has to work so hard to squeeze any heat out of the cold air.
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Old 11-26-2007, 08:04 AM   #7
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I posted this link in another thread. It will help to understand how the different systems are controlled.

Quick Reference Guide

As John mentioned, the basement units do not have the defrost circuits as do home heat pumps. The safety devices (freeze sensors) are there to protect the unit.

Our house in Virginia had a heat pump system with electric back-up heat. It would pump heat indoors well below outside freezing temperatures. Of course, the back-up heat would come on more often as it got colder outside, due mainly because the house would loose more heat than the pump could provide.
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Old 11-26-2007, 08:33 AM   #8
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Navy Flier:
Heat pumps will always "work". It is just that as the temperature approaches 40 deg it become less efficient because it has to work so hard to squeeze any heat out of the cold air. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Huh? As implemented in our heat pumps, they don't always work because they freeze up. With a defroster, they can operate at a much lower ambient temperature, but at some point they become extremely inefficient.
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Old 11-27-2007, 07:10 AM   #9
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Some further observations...

If the heat pump cannot satisify the thermostat setting in a predetermined amount of time, then the back up heat source (gas furnace) starts up to assist. I do not know what this 'predetermined time' is, but sometimes the gas furnace will turn on just as the heat pump is 'finishing up'. Usually happens when the heat pump runs the first time and has the whole house to heat up. Not always dependent on outside ambient temp and relative humidity. This is not a heat pump 'lockout' condition.

Heat pump usually goes into 'lockout' at approximately 37 deg F.

In your Vectra you most likely have a two stage main furnace. If it is cold in the house and you want fast heat, set thermostat five degrees above room temp. This will start second stage, which is an additional burner and blower goes to high speed in the main furnace. Works nice. Next time furnace turns on, it will be back to stage one on only.
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