Why is auxiliary heat on

Aux heat automatically turns on when the outside temperature drops and prevents the heat pump from drawing in enough heat to reach the set thermostat temperature. In other words, aux heat is a supplemental component to a heat pump; they work together to ensure your home is comfortably warm. Aux heat requires a lot more energy to function. So, you may not initially notice when your central heating system switches on the aux heat, but you will certainly notice when you see the expense of your utility bills.

ERH is controlled through your digital thermostat. If your heat pump does not have aux heating, it is up to you to determine how to obtain backup heating. Using a duel fuel system that includes a heat pump and a gas furnace. Buying one or more space heaters — cheap upfront, but they use far more electricity than a heat pump, so operating costs are higher. Climate type. Heat pumps without aux heat are typically sold in regions with milder winters, while heat pumps with aux heat are more commonly sold in regions with harsher winters.

If your climate often falls below freezing, it is likely you have a heat pump with aux heat. Looking at your thermostat. Aux heat appears as a setting on a wall thermostat. On the mechanical or equipment side, heat pumps with aux heat contain another section to their air handler. Most auxiliary heating equipment is electric resistance heating coils.

A few are finned electric heating elements. This is usually the case for homeowners who experience milder winters so that they can pay for a cheaper heat pump upfront and determine later if it is worth spending extra money on aux heat.

Does your heat pump fail to keep your home warm on the coldest days? You could use auxiliary heat. Aux heat is used as an automatic and supplemental heat source for your heat pump, but em heat takes over when your heat pump suffers mechanical breakdown.

Em heat acts as a safeguard during harsh winters. Unlike aux heat, you might have to manually switch your em heat on through your thermostat. This can be done by moving a switch or through the press of a button. Having Emergency Heat on can and will be more expensive to run. This is why it is only used in an emergency situation.

Auixiliary Heat will turn on automatically when heat can no longer efficiently transfer heat from the outside air to heat pump. This is when the outside is around degrees and the indoor temperature is around three degrees cooler than the thermostat setting. This will provide additional heat as needed. Auxiliary heat uses electric resistance heating, which is much less efficient than your heat pump.

So before you call us at , check the outdoor temperatures. Most heat pumps are designed to automatically switch to AUX heat when the indoor temperature is 3 degrees colder than the thermostat setting. So first, check to see if your thermostat only says AUX when you raise the thermostat 3 degrees or higher than the current temperature of your home.

As we mentioned above, most heat pump systems are designed to switch to AUX heat when the indoor temperature is 3 degrees colder than the thermostat setting. During this time, the system will rely on AUX heat to keep your home warm. When outdoor temperatures reach freezing temperatures, the outdoor coils can begin to freeze over with ice.