QA

Quick Answer: How To Use Emergency Heat

Simply turn the thermostat to Emergency Heat and call for service. 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.

Is it OK to run emergency heat?

Short answer: No. Switching your thermostat to emergency heat or “em heat” just because it’s cold outside will just raise your energy bills like crazy. Don’t use emergency heat mode unless your heat pump stops heating your home altogether. If that happens, contact a professional heat pump repairman for help.

How do you turn on emergency heat?

Here is how you activate your emergency heat: Your thermostat should have a setting labeled “Emergency” or “E” When you find this setting, manually switch your thermostat so that the emergency heat setting is on. Immediately call Flame Heating and Cooling to send a service technician to fix your heat pump issue.

How does emergency heat work?

How does emergency heat work? When emergency heat is turned on, your compressor and heat pump shut down entirely and your system’s electric heat strips turn on. This brings in heat without damaging your outdoor heat pump system. In most cases, emergency heat is electric, but it can also run on natural gas or oil.

What temperature should I switch to emergency heat?

The Emergency Heat or Auxiliary Heat setting is the second stage of your heating system that is used when the temperature is too low for the heat pump to be able to remove heat from outside, typically below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Will emergency heat keep house warm?

The emergency setting is not for when you feel a little cold – it is truly designed to protect you from extreme cold weather. Emergency Heat is Just What is Sounds Like: Under normal circumstances, your main heat pump should have no trouble keeping your home warm and comfortable in even the coldest weather.

Why does my heat only work on emergency heat?

You should only use your heat pump’s emergency heating mode when it’s truly an emergency (e.g., your heat pump isn’t working in winter) because manually overriding your system means it won’t run as efficiently as it can—which will result in higher energy bills.

When should I put my heat pump on emergency heat?

So when should you turn on your EM heat? The only time that you should activate emergency heating is if your heat pump is broken. Also, you should only use it temporarily until you can get your heating system fixed.

Can you run emergency heat overnight?

While you can run emergency heat as long as you want, it’s extremely expensive. Therefore, you should use emergency heat sparingly and only as the name implies: during emergencies.

Why is my heat blowing cold air?

A clogged filter is one of the leading reasons for a heater blowing cold air. But even if you swap the air filter with a brand new one, dirt and debris can still be found within the unit. This could eventually lead to overheating. If your furnace looks pretty dirty, call an HVAC provider for a professional clean.

Do heat pumps work below 20 degrees?

Do heat pumps work below 20 degrees? Yes, air source heat pumps work below 20—in fact, they perform well below -10! If you’re worried—or if you live in Antarctica—you can get a heat pump with a supplemental heating system in case of emergencies (the vast majority of people never need it).

What is the drawback of emergency heat?

Drawbacks of Emergency Heat In comparison to relying on a heating pump alone, emergency heat is much less energy efficient. Though the emergency heat setting does represent a means for warming up homes, it can cost twice what the heat pump costs in utility expenses.

Why is my heat not shutting off?

One of the most common issues is the thermostat. The wiring, switches, or heating sensors can fail on your unit. A faulty check valve could be the cause of this type of heating system to fail. If your heating system will not shut down, then you need to call a professional technician for help.

How do I know if I have a heat pump or forced air?

Turn your thermostat to HEAT mode and adjust the temperature until the thermostat triggers a heating cycle. Once the heating system is running, go back outside to the exterior unit – if this equipment is on and blowing air, it’s a heat pump.

Is AUX heat and emergency heat the same?

Auxiliary heating turns on automatically to help heat your home more quickly if the temperature drops suddenly. The emergency heat setting has to be manually switched on and should only be used in temperatures below 30 degrees.

How do I know if my heat pump is working properly?

The main way to tell if your system is working as intended is to simply listen to the unit running. You can hear the system when it turns on, when the fans begin to work and stop, and when air passes through the ducts. Other than that, the unit itself should be quiet, without any groaning or creaking sounds.