Heat Pump System Gas System Air Conditioning with Electric heat Thermostat
Filters Maintenance Troubleshooting
A/C with electric strip heat consists of the air-conditioning system and a bank of
strip heaters installed in the air handler. In the cooling mode this system works much
like the heat pump in the cooling mode. The heat mode only requires the use of the blower (air handler) and
the strip heater assembly. The strip heater consists of a rack installed in the air stream coming from the
indoor blower. This rack has coiled heater wire mounted on it with porcelain insulators. When
current is applied the heater wire heats up giving up heat to the indoor air. This type of heater
it what the heat pump uses for it's backup system.
An Air-conditioner with electric heat is a simple system however, it may not be the most efficient system.
You may have a high efficiency Cooling system but, using electric strip heat is very costly. One would
benefit by replacing this system with a Heat pump. The greatest savings on energy consumption
would be achieved in the winter months.
Scott Briggs Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Mechanical Services, LLC ©2003
e-mail scott@scottbriggs.us