This is my first experience with a heat pump system. When the heat is on, cold air comes out of the vents, which makes the system continuously run. I have been increasing the thermostat setting to about 5 degrees above the room temperature so that the auxiliary heat will come on. With the auxiliary heat on, hot air comes out of the vents and the room temperature rises.

During the summer, when I put the A/C on, only warm air comes out and my house is never cooled. There isn't an option for auxiliary cooling, so I have to suffer through it.

I need to know if this is normal for the heat pump system? Before I call in a repairman, I want to have an idea of what might be going on. As a female homeowner, I don't want the repairman to tell me something is wrong, when it's not, because he/she may think I don't know any better.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

sounds like the heat pump isn't pumping heat ...
as a quick check, feel the larger copper tube that connects the inside and outside units (usually accessible near the air handler or right at the oudoor unit); when in heat pump mode it should be very warm / hot.
or feel the air temperature exiting the outdoor unit - typically the blast of air directly above it; if the heat pump is pumping, the air should feel cold.
if no hot tubing, no cold air , then maybe your refrigerant has leaked out or various other faults, probably requiring a tech visit.

 

An improperly configured thermostat can cause this problem.
What is the make and model of the outdoor unit?
What is the make and model of the thermostat?

 

Sounds like an easy fix if you provide the info that Houston has requested.