A heat pump is a popular heating system in most homes. But many homeowners don’t understand what the auxiliary heat is. People often confuse auxiliary and emergency heat.
Homeowners must be familiar with the definition of auxiliary. The homeowner will gain a better understanding of how their system works. They’ll also be able to control the temperature in their home.
So what is auxiliary heating on a thermostat, you ask?
You might be curious what the auxiliary heat option on your thermostat means. It is essentially a supplement heat supply. A heat pump transfers heat between two areas. This makes it more affordable than running a furnace. Your auxiliary heating will automatically turn on if it is below 32deg F. These two main reasons could be the reason why it happens. In many cases, it may be a combination.
Insufficient heat to heat pump
Like the previous mention, the auxiliary heater will turn on when it senses that your heat pump cannot effectively transfer heat from the outside into your home. The heat strips switch on and provide heat when it is required.
Ice has accumulated around your heat pump
This is another reason that your auxiliary heater might be turning on. It is necessary to remove ice from the water heater. To do this, switch the switch to the defrost option on your water heater. This will use the heat in your home to melt ice. This will result is cold air coming out all your vents. It is important to be warm before you begin to defrost the ice on your unit.
Where should you concern yourself with auxiliary warmth?
If the temperature outside starts to rise, and your auxiliary warmth is still on you will know that there is an issue. In such cases, it is a good idea to immediately contact a professional. You can use electric resistance to heat your house with auxiliary heat. This is not as efficient as using your heat pump. This inefficiency will result in higher electricity bills.
Can you use the auxiliary heat to reduce your heat?
As stated above, your heat pump will use more energy if your auxiliary heater function is on. While the auxiliary warmth function is very useful, you want to avoid its use as much as you can. Here are some ways to avoid using the auxiliary heater function.
During the colder winter months, it is best to keep your home at around 68 degrees. Why is this so important? The increase in your electricity bill for any degree higher than 68 degrees is a staggering 4%. A lower indoor temperature will mean that your heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard and you won’t need to use the heat strip as often.
Increase the temperature of your house
You may have taken your home temperature down while you were on vacation. It is important to only increase the thermostat by 2 degrees. The heat pump won’t work as fast if the thermostat is set quickly. Some heat pumps rely on heat strips for this purpose. But, you can make this happen by turning up your thermostat slowly.
Avoid the emergency heat setting: auxiliary heating vs. Emergency heat
Many people don’t know the difference between emergency heat and auxiliary heating. It’s simple to tell the difference. Homeowners can switch to an emergency heater if their heat pumps fail or stop working as they should. This will eliminate the need to use the heat pumps and allow you to rely entirely on the heat strip. Auxiliary heat is a combination of heat strips and a heat pump that helps to replace the heat lost.
Use the emergency heat as a short-term solution. If you suspect that your heat pump might be broken, it is best to fix it as soon as possible.
To know more about auxiliary heating you can visit or contact The Home Revamp for better service.