What You Need to Know About Emergency Heat
During the cold winter months, your heat pump is usually your primary source of heating. However, many homeowners notice a button or setting labeled emergency heat on thermostat and wonder what it actually does. Understanding when to use this setting can help you stay warm, save energy, and protect your HVAC system from unnecessary strain.
The emergency heat setting on thermostat is designed for situations when your heat pump can’t keep up with extremely cold temperatures. Heat pumps are efficient and rely on transferring heat from outside air into your home, but as temperatures drop below freezing, their efficiency decreases. Switching to emergency heat activates a secondary heating source—usually electric resistance coils or a gas furnace—that provides direct heat. While this ensures immediate warmth, it’s important to note that emergency heat is more energy-intensive than normal heat pump operation.
Glanz Buffat provides professional HVAC support and guidance for homeowners in Louisville, Shepherdsville, St. Matthews, Middletown, Jeffersontown, and La Grange, helping ensure your heating system runs efficiently throughout the winter.
How Emergency Heat Works
When your thermostat is set to emergency heat, your heat pump is bypassed entirely. The system relies solely on the backup heating element to warm your home. This is different from the “heat” or “auxiliary heat” settings, where the heat pump still runs but uses supplemental heating if needed. Using emergency heat is generally only necessary in two scenarios:
- Heat Pump Malfunction: If your heat pump isn’t producing enough heat or has a mechanical issue, emergency heat ensures your home stays warm.
- Extreme Cold Weather: In temperatures well below freezing, your heat pump may struggle to keep up, and emergency heat can provide the additional warmth needed.
Signs You May Need Emergency Heat
Homeowners often ask how to know when to switch to emergency heat. Look out for these indicators:
- The indoor temperature is consistently lower than the thermostat setting.
- You notice frost or ice buildup on the outdoor heat pump unit.
- The heat pump fan runs constantly but the home isn’t warming properly.
- Unusual noises or error codes appear on your thermostat.
Switching to emergency heat under these conditions can keep your home comfortable while protecting your system. However, it’s generally meant for temporary use rather than long-term heating.
Tips for Using Emergency Heat Safely
Even though emergency heat keeps your home warm, there are some best practices:
- Don’t use it as your main heat source: Because it relies on less efficient electric or gas heating, continuous use can significantly increase energy bills.
- Monitor your thermostat and energy usage: Check that your home reaches the desired temperature without overusing the emergency heat function.
- Schedule maintenance after using emergency heat: Frequent reliance on backup heating can indicate underlying heat pump issues that may need inspection.
Regular maintenance, such as heat pump tune-ups, thermostat troubleshooting, and furnace inspections, can reduce the need to use emergency heat frequently. Glanz Buffat recommends routine winter checkups to ensure your system runs efficiently and emergency heat is only used when necessary.
How Emergency Heat Differs From Auxiliary Heat
It’s common to confuse emergency heat with auxiliary heat. The key difference is:
- Auxiliary heat kicks in automatically when the heat pump struggles to reach the thermostat setting, supplementing the heat pump.
- Emergency heat bypasses the heat pump entirely, giving full control to the backup heating source.
Understanding this distinction helps homeowners make informed decisions about their heating system, ensuring comfort and energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency and Cost Considerations
Because emergency heat uses electric coils or gas burners, it’s significantly more expensive to operate than a heat pump alone. Homeowners often ask: “Can emergency heat damage my system?” When used occasionally, it’s safe, but overuse may lead to higher energy bills and extra wear on your HVAC components. To avoid surprises, Glanz Buffat advises monitoring your energy usage and only engaging emergency heat when necessary.
Expert Guidance From Glanz Buffat
If you notice frequent frost on your heat pump, uneven heating, or your emergency heat setting on thermostat activating more often than expected, it could indicate a mechanical issue. Glanz Buffat provides professional HVAC troubleshooting, heat pump repair, and thermostat inspections to ensure your system operates efficiently and safely. Our goal is to help homeowners understand their system, make informed decisions about heating, and maintain comfort during the winter months.
Protect Your Home This Winter
Knowing how and when to use the emergency heat setting on thermostat can prevent cold spots, reduce stress on your system, and help control energy costs. Routine maintenance, including furnace service, heat pump inspections, and thermostat checks, ensures your home stays comfortable all winter.
By combining smart thermostat use with preventive HVAC care, you can rely on your system to perform efficiently, minimize costly repairs, and only use emergency heat when it’s truly needed.
FAQs
What happens when you put your thermostat on emergency heat?
When you switch your thermostat to emergency heat, your heat pump stops pulling heat from the outside air and relies entirely on its auxiliary heating system, typically electric resistance or gas heat. This provides immediate warmth in extremely cold conditions but can increase your energy usage. Homeowners often notice faster heating but higher utility bills during extended use. Understanding how emergency heat functions can prevent unnecessary energy costs and ensure your home stays comfortable in winter.
Should you switch to emergency heat during an ice storm?
Yes, using emergency heat during an ice storm can help maintain consistent indoor temperatures if your heat pump struggles in extreme cold. However, it’s best to only use it when necessary, as constant operation can raise energy bills. For safety, make sure your home’s electrical system can handle extended auxiliary heating and monitor your thermostat regularly.
How long can I run emergency heat in my house?
Emergency heat is designed for short-term use. Running it for several hours during extreme cold is safe, but using it continuously for days can be inefficient and costly. Most heat pumps and thermostats are built to handle intermittent use of auxiliary heat, but it’s best to revert to standard heat pump operation when outdoor temperatures rise slightly.
What temperature should you use your emergency heat at?
Set your thermostat to a comfortable indoor temperature—usually around 68–72°F—when using emergency heat. Avoid setting it excessively high, as the auxiliary heating system can consume more electricity or gas than your heat pump normally would. Gradually increasing your temperature rather than setting it at the maximum helps maintain efficiency.
Is it bad to run emergency heat all the time?
Running emergency heat continuously is not recommended. It can lead to higher energy bills, strain your heating system, and reduce overall efficiency. Emergency heat should be reserved for short periods when your heat pump cannot keep up with extreme outdoor temperatures. Regular maintenance, proper thermostat use, and timely HVAC service help minimize the need for constant auxiliary heat.
