No, this is not normal. In my experience the heat pump control board should prevent the compressor from starting up until 5 minutes has passed since the last shutdown. If the heat pump were operating only in emergency mode, you would not hear anything because the compressor would not run and heat would be provided by "heat strips" (resistance heaters installed inside the heat pump). Have you tried switching the thermostat* to "emergency" mode? That would keep the compressor off to protect it and heat the house using the heat strips only. I'd call for service.

-- amateur (with condo heated by packaged heat pump)

-----

*What is the brand and model of the heat pump and thermostat?

hope these help

i have a google smart thermostat

Image of of Ac unit outside

image of my furnace inside

Dave, absolutely not normal.

The aforementioned delay in restarting after a run cycle is to allow time for the refrigerant pressures to equalize within the system, otherwise the compressor may be unable to immediately start anyway and kick-out on overload (maybe more than once depending how long until the pressures equalize). The delay reduces wear/tear on the compressor and the overload protector. Window A/C units that don't have electronics to enact a restart delay may have a label on the controls "Wait 2 minutes before restarting" (or 3 minutes or whatever time period the manufacturer deems as appropriate).

I'm guessing your rapid cycling is caused by a system problem, not the thermostat actively turning it on/off.

I suggest you set the thermostat to Emergency Heat mode which operates only the heat strips so the compressor doesn't keep short-cycling until you can get it checked by a servicer.

• Nest thermostat temperature modes (I'd set it to Heat mode)
• Emergency Heat for heat pump systems
• Heat Pump Balance (fyi: this describes how and when aux heat is used with a heat pump)

had a repair man come and double check everything. cleaned out the fins of the furnace which were rather dirty. and adjusted something at the heat pump. Runs alot quieter at the moment and shutting on and off normal.

their biggest guess was the heat pump was trying to keep up and may have been a setting on app. all pressures, Freon levels appeared normal.

was told by them as well. when gets cold (20f or below) to shut off heatpump and run just emergency heat

Better thermostats have a function that automatically shuts off the compressor in favor of the emergency/auxiliary at a target (adjustable) outdoor temperature.

My mother's fancy-schmancy Lennox calls it "Balance Point Auxiliary Heat." Has adjustable low and high temperature points. Auxiliary runs solo below the low temp. Compressor runs solo above the high temp. Auxiliary can run with the compressor between if the system determines it's needed to maintain the setpoint.

cleaned out the fins of the furnace which were rather dirty.

Yeah that could do it too. Typically head pressure control doesn't reset in my experience.

I'd say you lucked out that the issue wasn't more sinister than that. Maintenance issues can run the gamut of problem causing problems.

Some would go as far to tell you to switch to emergency heat after a drop below 30F. While entry level heat pumps are pretty good, they just lose to much performance when temps approach the freezing mark. Once defrost mode starts it goes down hill too fast in my opinion to be worth running the machine like that.

This equation changes in the Inverter heat pump realm. These kinds of machines are top of the price spectrum, and almost all major brands require proprietary communicating controls not to mention a slew of other costly requirements.

I service the Katy, Texas area.

(The only reason you should call me is that you live near my area and looking to schedule HVAC service or repair. If you are new customer follow the prompts provide the necessary information to reach me. New in 2024, AI telemarketing calls may have met their match. But only if you can follow directions.... there's always a con.)