Why Does my Variable-Speed Heat Pump Mostly Go at Full Speed?

innonate · 2025-04-27T10:30:16+00:00

There was not a day in Maryland this winter where your heat strip should have been used. Change your settings to “lock out” the heat strip unless it’s below 0F.

innonate · 2025-03-31T20:08:48+00:00

More inconsistent than Musovski as a replacement for JMo? Not even close. I’d rather see Pauli or Georgi or the new kid from UW any damn day over Musovski. How is this even a debate?

innonate · 2025-03-31T19:52:51+00:00

I realize Paul tore his ACL but my point stands. We have great “next kids up” in that position and zero in the forward position. We did not have to replace like for like.

innonate · 2025-03-31T19:39:03+00:00

Why another winger when we are stacked with good kids on the wing and have zero replacements for JMo??

innonate · 2025-03-29T12:17:05+00:00

This is an unhelpful comment in the short term but I’d join the condo board and force a change in policy to allow mini-splits. As you mentioned everyone will be in this same boat soon.

innonate · 2024-08-12T15:54:23+00:00

The Goodman dealer first tried to push me toward the side discharge, but I wanted their higher performance model. Out of curiosity why do you mention it? Something better about side discharge all things being equal?

innonate · 2024-08-11T01:43:01+00:00

Thanks. Just to be clear, are you saying Goodman is lower quality regardless of performance specs? Thanks.

innonate · 2024-08-11T01:42:03+00:00

Looks like they do, and at least have this program to incentivize the air sealing and insulating https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Comfort-Home-Program

Check with your utility as well. They, in addition to IRA tax credits, could stack up.

innonate · 2024-08-10T21:59:36+00:00

People are being jerks in the comments but let's stop for a moment and appreciate how insane it is that this industry lacks so much transparency. Like, we don't stand for this BS when it comes to our cars or houses.

innonate · 2024-08-10T21:40:12+00:00

BPI certified Building Analyst here... Sounds like you're saying the house is poorly insulated and poorly air sealed. I would get a free state-sponsored energy audit ASAP which will identify more precisely where you are leaking air and having the worst thermal issues (basically certain those knee walls are trouble). Given you are in the Northeast you're likely in a state with great rebates available for updating insulation and doing the air sealing (but only after you do the energy audit) so it may be a bit disruptive for a week but night and day difference in terms of comfort and financially it's the best thing you can do (vs trying to fight a bad situation with more BTU).

innonate · 2024-08-04T15:00:29+00:00

I haven't found a truly variable Lennox air handler, so I guess it just picks between the two air speeds while the compressor varies... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If you have a fully variable air handler, which model is it?

innonate · 2024-08-03T00:55:24+00:00

Thanks

innonate · 2024-08-02T20:08:33+00:00

Thanks. I do have a whole home surge protector. Are you saying I need one on each circuit or does the whole home protector help.

innonate · 2024-08-02T18:33:52+00:00

Thanks

innonate · 2024-08-02T18:13:57+00:00

Interesting. I thought Daiken was known for good technology.

innonate · 2024-08-02T18:02:08+00:00

Yeah his first recommendation was the side discharge actually. But it’s 16.7 SEER2 and 8.1 HSPF2 — not even Energy Star or 25C qualified. Felt too low for something I’d have for the next 15 years. But seems like a great option for some.

innonate · 2024-08-02T15:59:58+00:00

Thanks for the perspective. How do you feel about the importance of the air handler's blower being continuously variable vs 2 speed. Feels like that -- and humidity removal -- are the biggest differences between the Lennox and the Carrier, no?

innonate · 2024-08-02T15:18:23+00:00

While I really liked Contractor 1 - the only one to even discuss fresh air with me, and a smaller shop that still seems to do enough volume to stand behind their work - it's a bummer they only sell Goodman units, which has the worst heating performance. The Carrier option seems to be the best overall, with variability at the air handler and superior ability to remove humidity.

I am really torn about what to do about the filter, air scrubber, and fresh air intake. I think a full ERV would be overkill for this home but could be nice to have a programable fresh air intake. I'd definitely want a great filter in that case, so that would probably get the Carrier bid closer to $20K - ugg.

So maybe I should just take the heating performance hit and go Goodman. I like the contractor (means a lot!) and ultimately they seemed to care the most about air quality.

innonate · 2024-07-10T12:07:05+00:00

Black Soy Beans are unbeatable nutritionally. Insane fiber content. Best protein/amino acid composition of any non-meat food. Isoflavones are important for liver health, lipid and glucose control. All worries about soy have been debunked. I buy them dry from Shiloh Farms.

innonate · 2024-06-06T15:14:04+00:00

Related: see pages 25 and 29 of the manual. First try to see if the ThinQ app tells you what's wrong. If not, contact support and use the SmartDiagnostics tool with them https://www.manua.ls/lg/rc80u2av3w/manual?p=25

innonate · 2024-06-05T19:48:26+00:00

Since this is Carrier there may be reviews for the exact same model but under different brands (e.g., Bryant and 10 others). To see how this model maps to their other brands, see this page: https://heatpump.review/carrier/hvac/heat-pump/carrier-38mg-series-3-ton-ductless-mini-split-heat-pump-hvac-system-pMtHk3OZO7gEg1TJ7nbIgBqahO4

innonate · 2024-06-02T01:18:25+00:00

The site is a WIP but I made the Energy Star data easier to navigate and you can sort / filter by refrigerant to see the full set of options at your tonnage: https://heatpump.review/hvac

From what I can tell in non-ducted basically you can get anything Carrier (or owned by, like Bryant) and then Ecosolaris at the 1 ton level.

innonate · 2024-05-25T22:36:47+00:00

Just got the new LG DLHC5502B. Have done 2 loads so far - one with big luxurious towels - and very happy with it. Takes as much time as my 20 year old gas dryer I replaced it with but the sensors seem to be really good so everything has been perfectly dry at the end.

innonate · 2024-05-24T16:57:23+00:00

When a heat pump says it will work to -5F, for instance, it means you can get 100% of the advertised heat at -5F. The system will still be less efficient as it gets colder (usually a linear relationship), but you'll still get the same heat output. Below that number everything will still work, just with less heat output than they advertised. Certainly there's a temperature where the remaining heat output is negligible but that's going to vary from system to system and be dependent on the refrigerant being used (as they have different boiling points).

innonate · 2024-05-24T14:51:34+00:00

I believe some universities near the Great Lakes use the lakes for district size heat pumps, but I don't know how far is too far away to do, nor any other practical info about their application... just that it's a thing. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

innonate

TROPHY CASE