# HVAC blower running but outdoor unit off **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 22, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167 "2011-02-22T00:31:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167/21 "2011-02-23T02:12:46Z")
Well, drats. Had it been warm/hot it would have confirmed my hunch that the stat hadn’t yet been configured for a heat pump application. Now depending on the type of stat you bought they may still be true. But we’re at a point that it is a bit harder to figure out whats wrong without specific things to look for; things you’d be unlikely to be able to do. What brand/model of stat is it? Did you wire it? ---
**Author:** ![yorick73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5a626/32.png) [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167/22 "2011-02-23T02:27:31Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > Well, drats. > > Had it been warm/hot it would have confirmed my hunch that the stat hadn’t yet been configured for a heat pump application. > > Now depending on the type of stat you bought they may still be true. But we’re at a point that it is a bit harder to figure out whats wrong without specific things to look for; things you’d be unlikely to be able to do. > > What brand/model of stat is it? Did you wire it? It’s a Honeywell 5-1-1 programmable thermostat model # RTH2410B. I got a handyman to wire it for me as part of a larger project not related to my HVAC. I wish now I had done it myself. I looked at the wiring and it seems correct but I wish I had taken a look at the wiring in the original thermostat. There is at least one wire that is not connected but, according to the manual, this is not unusual. Unfortunately, since I didn’t dismantle the old stat, I don’t know which wire is disconnected. ---
**Author:** ![yorick73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5a626/32.png) [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167/23 "2011-02-23T02:36:15Z")
Also, nothing in the manual suggests that anything needs to be configured for a heat pump. The only thing I see specifically for an electric heat pump is the jumper for heating fan control. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167/24 "2011-02-23T02:49:46Z")
On Honeywell’s website there is an “quick installation guide” for this particular stat. It can be found right [here.](http://yourhome.honeywell.com/home/Products/Thermostats/5-1-1-Day-Programmable/RTH2410B.htm) Starting on page 12 (PDF) of the manual there is a configuration process. Item 6 in this process should be set to “1”, “Heat Pump system with auxiliary/ back up heat” Is it? ETA click on the “manuals” tab. ---
**Author:** ![yorick73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b5a626/32.png) [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167/25 "2011-02-23T04:16:28Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > On Honeywell’s website there is an “quick installation guide” for this particular stat. It can be found right [here.](http://yourhome.honeywell.com/home/Products/Thermostats/5-1-1-Day-Programmable/RTH2410B.htm) > > Starting on page 12 (PDF) of the manual there is a configuration process. Item 6 in this process should be set to “1”, “Heat Pump system with auxiliary/ back up heat” > > Is it? > > ETA click on the “manuals” tab. Hallelujah! That’s it! I don’t know how I managed to skip over that page. Thanks a bunch! You just saved me $100 or so for a service technician to come over and think to himself “what an idiot”. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167/26 "2011-02-23T04:31:42Z")
> [@yorick73](#): > > Hallelujah! That’s it! I don’t know how I managed to skip over that page. Thanks a bunch! You just saved me $100 or so for a service technician to come over and think to himself “what an idiot”. I’m really glad you got it licked. btw, I’m sending you a PM [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-blower-running-but-outdoor-unit-off/572167.md?page=1)