Community Forums

frank1 · 07-20-2011, 08:03 AM

looking for some one who has changed over to a heat pump from just having an a/c unit-did you use the original thermostat -have to run new wires to the rooftop unit-or????-i have a colman mach thremostat and thinking about installing a new heat pump and was thinking about if there are enough wires running from the t-stat to the existing roof top unit .and if not ,what options would be available-i have a heat pump in my stick house, so a know a bit about them-thinking on how one would run extra wires ,if needed, to the roof.

Dutch Star Don · 07-20-2011, 03:39 PM

frank1.....PPL Parts RV Parts and Accessories for Sale - PPL Motor Homes has pretty good prices on A/C units and will tell you if you need to change thermostats or not. I emailed them with a similar question when I was looking at replacing a 13500 btu unit with a 15000 tu bunit.

The heat pump is just as loud as the A/C unit and is a consideration if you intend to run it at night or while watching TV. We have two heat pumps and run the one in the room were not using, since they're both ducted the length of the coach. In the evening while watching TV in the main portion of the coach, we turn the bedroom heat pump on.

The way most of the heat pumps are wired into the thermostat, is that once they reach a temp where they can no longer heat the coach, the propane furnace kicks on. This might be one of the questions you need to ask and look into. For me, it wouldn't be a big issue that the furnace comes on when the heat pumps can no longer function, but we don't camp in really cold weather.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-20-2011, 08:26 PM

You need a thermostat that is capable of controlling the heat pump's heating cycle as well as cooling. I think that means more wires as well as the difference in the t-stat itself.

Easyrider · 07-23-2011, 08:51 AM

I would really consider the noise factor before paying extra for an AC unit with a heat pump. Our's is extremely more noisy when on heat mode than AC, I mean very loud. We only used the heat pumps once and said that's enough of that. We've purchased some electric radiant heaters and use those instead, they are very quiet and do a great job of keeping our rv comfortable. It would probably be alot easier and less expensive route to take than replaciing the roof ac unit, wiring, and thermostat just to add the heat pump.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-23-2011, 09:00 AM

I can see no reason that the heat pump would be louder than the a/c - it's the same compressor and same fans and same ducting. There is no difference in mine when heating vs cooling. Both are equally noisy, but the noise is all air rushing through the ducts.

Our two speed furnace is quieter when on low speed and an electric space heater quieter yet.