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Working with heat strips
Fresh sheets
The article “Cooling Warm Rooms” [July 2013] was interesting, and I would like to share my experience with heat pumps. Heat pumps have heat strips for assistance in case the normal heating needs help, but they draw a lot of current. We’re on our second heat pump, and on both I had the dealer install a toggle switch to allow me to disable the emergency heat strip. I like to lower the thermostat at bedtime in winter, but in the morning if you increase the temperature by 2 degrees or more the emergency heat strips are enabled. I leave the emergency heat disabled and allow the heat pump to run to get to desired setting.
I loved the article by Donna Campbell Smith on “sun-dried laundry.” [May 2013] I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and my Mom “took in” laundry for the military boys school in our town. Winters were harsh, but we hung the wash out, and it froze as we hung it. There is nothing that smells better on your bed than sheets fresh from outdoors. A good night’s sleep is guaranteed. I still hang my laundry out, which gets me a lot of derision. And yes, I do have a dryer. Vina Doss, Goldsboro, Tri-County EMC
Our granddaughter, Alexia Baxter, 14 months, found something interesting in Carolina Country. You captured her little mind for about 4 minutes! Piggy tails, one of Papaw’s socks and Carolina Country magazine.
Stephen Auman, Randolph EMC Editor’s note: What Mr. Auman does is an excellent way to maximize the efficiency of the heat pump for his personal comfort circumstances and climate. Typically the auxiliary resistance heat is needed to supplement the home’s heating needs when it is very cold outside, or to bring up the temperature in the home quickly, such as raising the thermostat more than 2 or 3 degrees, depending upon the thermostat. Another option is to have an HVAC dealer install an outside thermostat that will not allow the auxiliary strip heaters to come on unless the outside temperature is below a certain degree set point. Determining this set point is more of an art than science, but is typically in the 27–35 degrees range. Remember, the less the heat strips come on, the more efficiently the heat pump system operates, as Mr. Auman states. The down side is it will take longer to achieve a higher interior temperature setting when utilizing the heat pump solely. As general rule, I recommend “set it and forget it” on heat pump thermostats. Rick Schroeder, energy specialist, GreenCo Solutions, Raleigh
Dale and Robin Jenkins, Crouse, Rutherford EMC
Garden girl This past school year, my daughter Cheyenne Heafner and all her classmates received cabbage plants in an effort to teach children where their food comes from. She took her cabbage plant to her grandparents’ house and stowed it in the greenhouse until it was time to plant it. Every week she and her grandfather faithfully checked on the plant, watered it, dusted it and cared for it, all the while monitoring its changes and growth. After months of waiting and watching, Cheyenne was able to reap her harvest. From coleslaw to cabbage rolls, the harvest has been bountiful indeed, and Cheyenne has learned a great deal about how her food gets “from farm to table.” Susan Beal, Lincolnton, Rutherford EMC
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Smart girl
Country girl Our daughter Carsyn, 5, enjoys the simple pleasures of good ol’ country life. Kim & Brad Stroud, Hiddenite, EnergyUnited
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