Yes there is a temperature where it makes sense to not use the heat pump and only use the auxiliary heat.

It sounds like your Evolution controller has not been set up properly for temperature lock out temperatures. I believe the controller has two lock out temperature settings. You can set one temperature to lock out the heat pump, and a second to lock out the auxiliary heat. In between the two temperatures the controller will use both as needed.

Based on what you have said, I suggest the heat pump should locked out at 35 degrees, and the auxiliary heat should be locked out at 40 degrees. In between these two temperatures the heat pump should come on first and then switch to auxiliary if the controller decides it is taking too long to satisfy the temperature.

I think you will need to go into the service menu to set these temperatures.

Thanks for the direction Mike. I checked and I only have 1 lockout setting. Under Setup-Heat Pump-Elec Lock Out, when outside temp above this temp the electric heat will not operate. (currently set for 35F).

I only have a 1 fuel system(electric) so I am not sure where the other lockout setting would be (if it exists)

Any suggestions?

Below is a link for the installation instruction. It explains the settings in the set up menu.

It looks like what I described is only available if you have a hybrid heat pump and furnace set up. Sorry for the misinformation. I have this thermostat but use it with furnaces and not heat pumps.

It looks like you can only lock out the auxiliary electric heat and not the heat pump in heating mode.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bryant Evolution Installation Instructions

Here is another document which describes the algorithm the Infinity/Evolution Controller will use. On page 11 it states heat strip only heating is available but it doesn't explain how it works.

I suppose as long as the heat pump COP is greater than one, then it is more efficient than the electric heat strips. The COP is supposed to account for defrost cycles.

Perhaps one of the heat pump experts can provide more information.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sequence of Operation

RJ

Could you provide your location and typical winter climate?

I would not lock out heat pump condenser unless outside temp is 10 degrees and below. Then you could run auxiliary/emergency heat only.

Unfortunately for Bryant/Carrier, they do not offer real electronic demand defrost. With time defrost like you have, you get many unnecessary, nuisance, and expensive defrost calls. Here the auxiliary/emergency heat is needed to temper the AC air that is entering your home.

I would lock out auxiliary heat at 38-40 degrees and above. If much lower, then you will get chilled from the AC air entering your home.

Shame on Carrier/Bryant not making the upgrade to EDD.

IMO

We live in southern end of the north east. (Eastern panhandle wv). We tend to be in the low 30s during the day and upper teens in the evening.

Thanks for your comments.

I would say below 10 to 15 degrees cut the pump. Without demand defrost you might be better off sticking to 15. I have demand defrost and cut mine at 10 but I also have a pellet stove in the basement for power outage heat and I run it when it gets down in the teens or colder so the strips stay off as much as possible.

Do you have to force the system into emergency heat manually? Are there thermostats which you can program a temperature?

Yes Mike many newer stats with the use of an outdoor temp sensor can be programmed to lock out both the aux heat and heat pump depending on temperature outside.

Any temp above 35 and no matter what my heat strips will not activate. The only reason for this temp is if the heat pump did fail I wouldn't want anything to freeze which even at 30 is highly doubtful but I am not taking the chance the way my luck runs.

The heat pump shuts off below 10 degrees and the strips carry it from there. So I am pump only above 35, pump with strips to 10 and below 10 strip only.

If we are going to be gone for days and I set the stat at 65 and come home and its 40 degrees out and crank it to 73 a reg stat would kick on both strips and pump to roll that temp up wasting $$.

Countryboy...our thermostat does allow for lockout but only a lockup of the heat strips. I have a Bryant Evolution controller but since it is a single fuel system(electric) it does not allow the heat pump to be locked out. If I want to lockout the heat pump I think I will have to manually force emergency heat, not ideal.

mike... Do you know if the newer Bryant Evolution controllers allow for single fuel systems to lockout the heat pump.

It looks like the new Evolution Connex Control will allow you to lock out the heat pump. It is described on page 35 as heat source and heat pump lockout.

I don't understand why your current controller can't perform the same function. If it has the ability to lock out the heat pump in a dual fuel set up, then why not in a heat pump and heat strip configuration?

Did you try asking the Bryant dealer who installed your equipment? You can also try calling Bryant customer service. Maybe the set up can be configured to look like a dual fuel configuration.

Here is a link that might be useful: Evolution Connex Control installation manual