Topic: Heat Pump - Dehumidifier function - what does it do?

Heat Pump - Dehumidifier function - what does it do? 

How does a HP work in the dehumidify function?

I know how a dehumidifier works, but on my (ducted) HP, for the dehumidify setting you need to dial in a temperature. With one set on plates to chill the air, how does the temperature set point come in to it?

I've asked a few installers, and never got an acceptable answer.

thx
dave

Re: Heat Pump - Dehumidifier function - what does it do? 

retrying...

Re: Heat Pump - Dehumidifier function - what does it do? 

As it happens I have been playing with this function as well. A normal dehumidifier heats and cools the air in a single pass. But a regular heat pump cant do this and obviously can only dehumidify while cooling. I had assumed that it would switch between heating and cooling but it doesn't. What I believe is happening is dehumidify mode is the same as cooling except it runs the inverter at a very low level so it doesn't cool the room too quickly. So the dehumidify mode in winter is basically useless (It might be more useful in Thailand and places like that) unless you want run a heater in the room as well to help dry the room and improve the efficiency of dehumidification at the cost using more electricity.

Re: Heat Pump - Dehumidifier function - what does it do? 

In that case, I guess the temperature you dial in could be the lowest room temp it will operate down to before cutting out?

As you say, seems to be a useless feature for NZ conditions.

I wonder why none of the installers i spoke to knew how it works, perhaps because its of no use the manufactures just pass over it in their training?

Re: Heat Pump - Dehumidifier function - what does it do? 

Exactly right. It will just operate down to the lowest temperature.

As for passing over their training... you are assuming they get product training. I bet they don't. They just install and have little else to do with the product.