Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-27-2014, 04:46 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Simi Valley Ca
Posts: 9
Furnace vs Heat Pump

I just purchased a new 2015 Forester 2861DS. The thermostat has Furnace and Heat Pump on it. The manuals do not cover instructions for their use. What is the difference between a furnace and a heat pump? When should one be used vs the other.

Any help would be very appreciated.

Thanks Much.

Ken
ken806 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2014, 04:58 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berryville, Arkansas
Posts: 1,325
The heat pump is your air conditioner used in a reverse mode. The flow of refrigerant is reversed such that it removes heat from outside and brings it inside. In the cooling mode, it does the opposite. If you are in a campground where you are not paying for electricity, this is a good thing. That is, if you use the furnace, you are burning your own propane gas to produce the heat. The heat pump produces a cooler heat than the furnace. Also, since the heat pump removes heat from outside; the colder it gets outside, the lass heat is available. Below 25 degrees, you don't get much heat.
__________________


2012 Cedar Creek 36CKTS Touring Edition
2015 Ford F-350 CC DRW Lariat
Joe_GA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2014, 05:01 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Simi Valley Ca
Posts: 9
Furnace vs Heat Pump

Joe,

Thanks for the info. I understand now,

Thanks again for your help.

Ken
ken806 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2014, 08:27 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
Ken806, do you know for sure whether or not you have a heat pump? It's an option. The Dometic 13,500 btu/hr unit is air conditioning only. The 15,000 btu/hr unit is a/c with a heat pump. They probably use the same thermostat with both units, so it could have a heat pump selection that does nothing.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
RamblerGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2014, 10:02 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Simi Valley Ca
Posts: 9
Furnace vs Heat Pump

I'll have to check tomorrow and let you know. You could be correct, I didn't try it today. The RV is offsite right now.
ken806 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2014, 10:37 PM   #6
RBR
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 67
I have a 2012 / 3011DS it has 13,500 btu/hr and it has a working heat pump. Above 40 I use heat pump below 40 I use the furnace. The heat pump is used most of the time and saves a lot of money because it runs off electricity.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
RBR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2014, 06:02 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,441
RBR

You will have a pleasant surprise if you check the FR brochure or look at the unit's label. All with heat pumps are 15k heat or A/C. Standard units are 13.5k cooling without heat pump.
__________________
RamblerGuy
2011 Sunseeker 3100
2016 Ford Edge Toad
RamblerGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-28-2014, 01:32 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Simi Valley Ca
Posts: 9
I tested the heat pump today and it works fine. Very happy. It will work well in the places we use the RV in California.

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

Ken
ken806 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2014, 07:39 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berryville, Arkansas
Posts: 1,325
I didn't want to say it because you find strange thing coming out of RV factories, but I was thinking you wouldn't have a heat pump selection on your thermostat if you didn't have a heat pump. Anyway, glad you got it figured out. I wish I had heat pumps in my rig.
__________________


2012 Cedar Creek 36CKTS Touring Edition
2015 Ford F-350 CC DRW Lariat
Joe_GA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2014, 08:20 AM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Simi Valley Ca
Posts: 9
Joe,

Thanks for all your help, it was very appreciated.

Ken
ken806 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2014, 09:42 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berryville, Arkansas
Posts: 1,325
You're welcome, Ken. Glad I could help.
__________________


2012 Cedar Creek 36CKTS Touring Edition
2015 Ford F-350 CC DRW Lariat
Joe_GA is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
furnace, pump

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:38 AM.