Heat Pumps (Heating Mode)

Chapter 6
Heat Pumps
(Heating Mode)

Fine tuning heat pumps in the heating mode is not difficult. In the heating
mode, only sensible heat is added to the air as it passes through the unit.
Therefore, dry bulb temperature measurements indicate the total perfor-
mance of the unit. However, these units still must be thoroughly checked,
and any required adjustments to the indoor airflow or refrigerant charge
must be made in order for the unit to operate as efficiently as possible.

REQUIRED TEST INSTRUMENTS

The proper test instruments are needed to make accurate measurements of
the product or process being tested. The old procedure of merely looking at
the equipment or feeling a line to determine the operating characteristics no
longer indicates what is happening with the unit.

There are many brands and models of test instruments available. Which
particular instrument to use is the user’s choice, but accurate test instru-
ments must be used to properly fine tune heat pumps in the heating mode.
The exact procedure for instrument use can be found in the manufacturer’s
operating instructions. These instruments must be properly cared for and
their accuracy maintained for optimum performance.

This chapter will discuss only those procedures used for efficiency testing
heat pumps in the heating mode, not specific instruments. The following is
a list of the basic test instruments required for testing and adjusting the
efficiency of a heat pump operating in the heating mode:

1. Dry bulb thermometer

2. Velometer, anemometer, or flowhood (as desired or available)
3. Gauge manifold
4. Ammeter
5. Voltmeter
6. Wattmeter

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.

 Dry Bulb Thermometer
A dry bulb (db) thermometer is an ordinary thermometer used to measure
air temperature (see Figure 2-1). Determining the temperature rise of air as
it passes through the heat pump unit is a very important step in the fine
tuning process. The dry bulb temperature is a measure of the heat given up
by the indoor coil to the air. The air temperature is measured in two loca-
tions: the return air stream and the discharge air stream, Figure 6-1.

Two different dry bulb thermometers that have been tested and found to
produce exactly the same readings under the same set of circumstances can
be used. If two thermometers that read exactly the same temperature are
not available, then use one thermometer to measure both temperatures. It
is best to measure the return air temperature first, because it will not change
as fast as the discharge air . An electronic thermometer with two separate,
properly adjusted leads also produces the desired results. Dry bulb ther-
mometers are sometimes incorporated into sling psychrometers.

Velometer, Anemometer, or Flowhood

These very sensitive instruments are used to measure the velocity of air
past a given point (see Figures 5-3, 5-4, and 5-5). This reading can then be
converted into cfm by using the following formula:

cfm = Area × Velocity

Figure 6-1. Measuring the temperature rise through a heat pump

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.

 The area must be calculated according to the instrument manufacturer’s
instructions or by multiplying the length of the coil by the width and then
checking the equipment manufacturer’s specifications for the free area of
the coil. The number of readings taken over the area is usually recom-
mended by the instrument manufacturer. These readings are then averaged.
The average is found by using the following formula:

Total of readings
Average =
Number of readings

Gauge Manifold
The gauge manifold is used to perform many procedures involving refrig-
erant, oil, and evacuation of the refrigeration system. Gauge manifolds are
made up of a pressure gauge, compound gauge, valve manifold, and the
necessary hoses and connections. The operating refrigerant pressures can be
directly related to temperature by the use of a pressure-temperature chart.
Most gauges incorporate a corresponding temperature for the different
pressures of various refrigerants. The manifold has ports for both the com-
pound and the pressure gauges. There are valves in the manifold that are
operated by hand and used to control the flow of fluids through the gauge
ports and the charging hose ports.

Ammeter
The ammeter is used to determine the amount of electrical current used by
the unit. The clamp-on type is the most popular, because the amperage can
be measured without separating the wire. These instruments are the most
accurate when the wire being measured is in the center of the tongs.

Voltmeter
The voltmeter is used to measure the voltage in a wire. The analog-type
meter is the most accurate when the indicator is in the center of the scale.
The leads should be checked regularly to ensure they are in good working
condition. When the insulation becomes worn or cracked, the leads should
be replaced. A firm, solid fit between the meter and the lead must be main-
tained. A loose fitting lead can give an improper voltage reading.

Wattmeter
The wattmeter is used to measure the voltage to the unit and the total
wattage used by the unit. These instruments are usually more accurate than
using the voltmeter and the ammeter to determine the total wattage used
by the unit. However, wattmeters are more expensive. The analog-type
wattmeter is the most accurate when the indicator is reading at the mid-
scale point.

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.

 AIR-TO-AIR HEAT PUMP UNITS
Air-to-air heat pump units have air flowing over both the indoor coil and
the outdoor coil. They have some unique operating characteristics, which
are mostly determined by the outdoor ambient temperature. As with any
other type of system, all components must be clean and in proper working
condition. If not, any attempt to fine tune the system will be wasted.

Indoor Unit
The indoor coil supplies heat to the structure during the heating cycle.
These units are usually designed to operate with 400 to 500 cfm per ton of
heating capacity. The airflow through these units is very critical.Airflow
should be one of the first items checked when fine tuning a heat pump. The
temperature of the air flowing through the indoor coil during the heating
mode varies with the outdoor ambient temperature. However , the tempera-
ture is usually between 90° and 125 °F. Check the equipment manufacturer’s
specifications for the unit being serviced for the exact discharge tempera-
ture desired for that unit.

Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit houses the compressor and outdoor coil, along with the
other required components. The outdoor coil absorbs the heat from the
ambient air so the refrigerant can take it indoors. The temperature of the
outdoor ambient air determines both the suction and discharge refrigerant
pressures. It is almost impossible to determine exactly what the proper
pressures should be without the equipment manufacturer’s specifications.
However, the higher the outdoor ambient temperature, the higher the re-
frigerant pressures.

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP UNITS

Geothermal heat pump units are one version of the water-to-air cooling
system, except they provide both heating and cooling. Both the condenser
for the cooling operation and the heat source for the heating operation are
provided with a water-source coil.

Indoor Coil
The indoor coil is an air-over type. During the cooling operation, there
should be a temperature drop across the indoor coil of about 18° to 22 °F db.
During the heating cycle, there should be a temperature rise across the coil
of about 90° to 125 °F db. Check the equipment manufacturer’s specifica-
tions for the exact readings.

Outdoor Coil
The outdoor coil is water-cooled during cooling operation. It also uses
water as the heat source for heating operation. There is a water valve for

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.

 each of the cycles. Each valve must be set independently of the other . For
cooling operation, the valve should be set to maintain a compressor dis-
charge pressure of about 210 psig for R-22, or a condensing temperature of
about 105 °F. During heating operation, the heating water valve should be
set to maintain a suction pressure of about 70 psig, or a suction temperature
of 40°F. Check the equipment manufacturer’s specifications for the exact
settings.

Compressor
The compressor on these units should be able to pump a vacuum of at least
20 inches Hg when subjected to a normal discharge pressure. It should be
able to hold this vacuum for about 5 minutes. If not, tile valves are leaking
and either the compressor or the valves must be replaced. It is very critical
that these compressors meet this requirement because of the very severe
conditions in which they operate. Some equipment manufacturers may
require a different efficiency test for their compressor. Be sure to check their
requirements.

DETERMINING UNIT EFFICIENCY

Use the following steps and the worksheet to determine the heating capac-
ity of a heat pump system:

1. Visually check the entire system for cleanliness, and ensure all compo-
nents are in proper working condition. Be sure the indoor and outdoor
coils, the indoor filter, and indoor blower are clean.

2. Set the thermostat to demand heat pump heating only. It may be

necessary to disconnect the auxiliary heat strips so that only the heat
pump can operate. Allow the unit to operate for about ten minutes to
allow the system pressures and temperatures to stabilize.

3. Check the refrigerant pressures on the operating system.

4. Check both the indoor and the outdoor dry bulb temperatures.

5. Compare the temperature and pressure readings to the equipment

manufacturer’s specifications.

6. Measure the entering and leaving air dry bulb temperatures across the
indoor unit.

7. Determine the indoor unit cfm. Use either an airflow measuring meter
as described above, or disable the heat pump unit and set the thermo-
stat to bring on the auxiliary heat strips. If the auxiliary heat strip
disconnect was turned off, be sure that it is turned back on. Then use
the method described in Chapter 2 to determine the airflow. After

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.

 determining the indoor cfm, turn of
f the auxiliary heat strips and turn
on the heat pump unit.

8. Determine the heating capacity (Btu output) of the unit. Use the fol-
lowing formula:

Heating capacity = cfm × 1.08 × 6T

9. Determine the system coef ficient of performance (COP) by measuring

the watts used by the unit, including the indoor fan motor. Use the
following formula:
Btu output
COP =
Btu input
or:
Btu capacity
COP =
Watts × 3.413

For example, if a heat pump has a measured heating capacity of 40,000 Btuh
and the measured wattage is 4.380 kW , what is the COP?

First, convert 4.380 kW to watts:

4.380 × 1000 = 4380 W

Then use the formula outlined earlier:

40,000 Btu
COP = = 2.67
4380 W × 3.413

When the heat pump unit is operating at its peak efficiency but is not heat-
ing the structure properly, there are some other options available. First,
open all of the supply air grilles, measure the cfm from each one, and total
them. If the cfm is 10% less than that determined in Step 8, air is leaking
from the duct system. Find the leak and repair it.

The next step is to measure the duct heat loss. To do this, measure the
supply air temperature as it leaves the supply air grille located farthest
from the indoor unit. The difference in the supply air temperature at the
supply air grille and the temperature of the supply air from the indoor unit
should not exceed 3 ° to 5°F. If the difference is more than 5 °F, the duct
needs more insulation.

When the heat pump system meets this criteria, the only other alternative
is to increase the size of the heat pump unit or increase the heating capacity
of the auxiliary heat strips. Be aware that the electric bill will increase with
an increase in heat strip capacity . Make sure the ductwork will handle the
required airflow.

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.

 Heat Pump (Heating Mode) Worksheet
Introduction: The service technician is often called upon to perform a capacity check of a heat pump system. This request
may come in a variety of forms, such as a complaint of a high electric bill or not enough heat. Determining the capacity
of a heat pump in the heating mode is not very difficult, and every service technician should perform this test whenever there
is a suspected problem with the unit.

Tools Needed: dry bulb thermometer, velometer, gauge manifold, voltmeter, wattmeter, and tool kit.

Procedures:

1. Set the room thermostat to the heating or automatic position.

2. Set the temperature lever to demand heating.

3. Turn off all electricity to the auxiliary heat strips. Only the heat pump and the indoor fan are to be operating during
this test.

4. Measure the temperature rise of the air through the indoor unit. Use the following formula:

6T = Leaving air temperature - Entering air temperature

a. Use the some thermometer for measuring both the return and supply air temperatures.

b. Do not measure the temperature “in view” of the indoor coil. True air temperature cannot be measured in areas
affected by radiant heat.

c. Make the temperature measurements within 6 ft of the indoor unit. Measurements taken at the supply and return
air grilles are not accurate enough.

d. Use the average temperature when more than one duct is connected to the plenum. Use the following formula:

Total of readings
Average =
Number of readings

e. Make sure the air temperature is stable before taking these measurements.

f. Take these measurements downstream from any mixed air source.

g. Record the temperature difference of the return and supply air as 6T.

6T = ________ – ________

5. Determine the Btu output. Use the following formula:

Btu = cfm x 1.08 x 6T

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.

 where:

cfm = Btuh
1.08 × 6T

1.08 = specific heat of air constant

6T = supply air temperature minus return air temperature

6. Is this what the manufacturer rates the equipment? ______________________________

Multiple tear-out copies

of this worksheet
can be found in
Appendix B.

©2002 by The Fairmont Press. All rights reserved.