Emergency Heat

What is Emergency Heat

Heat pumps often need a supplemental heating sources. In most cases, this is in the form of electric resistance heating - at the indoor unit. This is an all-electric Heat Pump, but it would be gas, oil or hot water back up system. Emergency heat is when you use your supplemental heat by itself, without the use of your heat pump. 

Different systems have different ways of determining when the second stage heat kicks in to assist the heat pump but it is always done automatically. The two stages work together during cold weather and it not necessary for you to switch your thermostat to Emergency Heat. 

When should I use Emergency Heat?

As the name states, Emergency Heat is only used in emergency situations. It it used when there ie something wrong with the heat pump. During the winter months, you should try to make it a habit of looking at your outdoor heat pump. Check for signs of excessive ice or snow build-up on or around the heat pump.

What does Emergency Heat do?

When switching to Emergency Heat, a red indicator light will turn on and will stay on until you stop using the Emergency Heat, which lets you know you are in emergency mode.

On a call for heat, no signal will be sent to the outdoor Heat Pump. Only the indoor unit and the back-up heat will run. On all-electric systems, this will provide enough heat to keep you going until the Heat Pump can be fixed. Gas/Oil/Hot-water system should provide plenty of heat.

Is Emergency Heat more expensive to operate?

If you have an all-electric heat pump, then the answer is a definite YES! It is much more expensive to run your heat pump on Emergency Heat. And as the name implies, should only be run in an emergency until your heat pump can be repaired. Now if you have Gas or Oil heat for your backup system, then the answer isn't so clear. It depends on the cost of your fuel, the efficiency of your heating system, compared to your electric rate and so on. But it is safe to say that the price increase won't be as much as an all-electric system.

Why is my emergency heat light on?

As explained earlier, the Emergency Heat light will be on whenever your thermostat is set to Emergency Heat. But if your thermostat is not set to emergency heat and the light is on, then that usually indicates a problem with your heat pump