Does Your Emergency Heating System Actually Work Automatically?

When temperatures start to plummet, you likely rely on your home's emergency heating system to keep things comfortable. Most people assume their emergency heat will kick in automatically as needed. But is this really the case for all homes? The reality is a bit more complicated. Depending on your specific HVAC system and thermostat settings, you may need to take manual action to activate supplementary heating. Read on to get the full scoop on how emergency heat works and when it will turn on by itself.

First, let's review what exactly emergency heat is. Also known as auxiliary or supplemental heat, it's the secondary heating system that's part of a heat pump configuration. Heat pumps are the main HVAC units in many homes that provide both heating and cooling. They work by transferring heat between the indoor and outdoor air. However, once the weather drops below 35-40degF, a heat pump starts to lose efficiency. At this point, the emergency heating needs to take over to keep your home warm.

When Does Emergency Heat Turn On?

Emergency heating is meant to automatically activate when the heat pump alone can't maintain the interior temperature. There are a few common scenarios when you'd expect the backup heat to kick in:

• When outside temps are too cold for the heat pump to extract enough heat. This is usually below 35-40degF.
• If the heat pump malfunctions due to a failed part or loss of refrigerant.
• During power outages when the heat pump lacks electricity.

In these situations, the emergency heat should turn on to take over heating duties. This prevents your home from dropping to uncomfortable temperatures when the heat pump isn't fully operational.

Is Emergency Heat Really Automatic?

While it may seem like emergency heat runs automatically, this isn't always the perfect case. Some thermostats actually require you to manually switch the system to emergency heat mode. Even if your system is automatic, the emergency heat may only run for a certain period before switching off again. Why is this?

Emergency heat sources like electric coils or a gas furnace are expensive to operate continuously. The automatic settings are designed to prevent homeowners from unknowingly running the backup heat around the clock. Depending on your climate, you may need to briefly turn on emergency heating daily in the winter. But the system shouldn't stay activated for extended periods if the main heat pump is able-bodied.

Check Your Thermostat Settings

To understand how your emergency heat behaves, start by checking your thermostat manual. Look for specifics on whether it's completely automatic or requires some manual override to activate. Many programmable and smart thermostats let you adjust the temperature differential that will trigger the emergency heat. There may also be settings limiting the duration it can run.

If your model doesn't clearly explain the emergency heat function, it's smart to have an HVAC technician assess the setup. They can ensure your system activates properly for your climate and prevent needless energy use.

Working With an HVAC Professional

In general, it's wise to have a professional inspect your HVAC system annually. They can check that emergency heating engages when it should. The technician can also adjust temperature thresholds and run times as needed for your local weather. Routine maintenance helps keep all HVAC components in top shape.

Finally, a knowledgeable HVAC pro can diagnose why your emergency heat is turning on more than expected. Faulty refrigerant levels, bad sequencers, and improperly sized heat pumps are just a few issues that could cause abnormal emergency heating.

Addressing problems and having optimized settings will keep costs down while still keeping you toasty all winter long.

• Know if your system requires manual activation or runs automatically.
• Only use emergency heat when the heat pump can't keep up.
• Have a professional inspect your HVAC if backup heat engages too frequently.
• Automatic doesn't necessarily mean constant heat.

By learning how your specific emergency heating setup works, you can rest assured your home will remain comfortable even in frigid weather. Be sure to consult the manual and HVAC pro to determine if yours runs automatically or requires some manual override when needed.