heat pump won't operate in cold evening and morning hours: 45 degrees

by Sunny
(Camarillo CA 93012)

I live in an all-electric community. I recently had a new Trane heating system installed: ducts, heat pump, etc. The nighttime temperature drops to around 45 degrees (I live in Southern California) The heat system works fine until around 1:00 am, then the heat-pump shuts down and will not start until the outside temperature warms up at around 10:00 am. I am without heat when I need it the most. Does anyone have a solution or know what might be causing this?
This is a new system, and I'm not sure what else could be causing this intermittent problem.

Comments for heat pump won't operate in cold evening and morning hours: 45 degrees

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May 20, 2018
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by: Michael

The limitation with heat pumps is that each manufacturer lists a minimum temperature at which they can operate. In climates where the temperature can drop below the manufacturer minimum, most heat pumps can be purchased with an auxiliary heat source. In a place like Southern California where this does not happen often, an auxiliary electric heater can be added to the system.

Note that operating an electric heater can be expensive. The cost of using electric heating versus a different auxiliary heat source (eg. propane or natural gas) must be balanced relative to the climate in your area.

Contact an HVAC professional in your area for the best recommendation on auxiliary heat sources.

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