Troubleshoot Your Heat Pump with Emergency Heat Mode

During cold winter months, heat pumps work hard to keep homes warm and cozy. But sometimes, frigid outdoor temperatures, equipment issues, or other problems can cause a heat pump to underperform or break down. When this happens, activating the emergency heat mode can get your heat pump back up and running so you aren't left out in the cold.

With the right knowledge, you can take control when issues arise and keep your home's heating system working properly all winter long.

When to Use Emergency Heat Mode

Emergency heat mode on a heat pump should only be used when absolutely necessary. The most common times to activate it include:

• Outdoor temperatures drop below 30-40degF. Heat pumps lose efficiency in extremely cold conditions.
• The heat pump unit ices over outside. This prevents it from transferring heat properly.
• The heat pump isn't providing enough warmth inside. Rooms feel too chilly.
• Other heat pump malfunctions occur. This could include error codes, strange noises, or refrigerant leaks.

The key point is that emergency heat is for temporary use only until the real issue with the heat pump can be identified and resolved. Relying on it regularly will cost more and strain your backup heating system.

How Emergency Heat Mode Works

Emergency heat mode kicks in a secondary heating source separate from the heat pump itself. Here's a breakdown of what happens:

• The outdoor heat pump unit shuts off completely.
• A backup heating system like an electric furnace or gas/oil furnace activates.
• The indoor air handler switches into electric furnace mode.
• This alternate heat source provides supplementary warmth for the home.

This allows heat to be maintained without risking damage to the non-operational heat pump outside. Essentially, your home relies solely on emergency electric, gas, or oil heat temporarily.

Signs You May Need Emergency Heat

Pay attention to these warning signs that your heat pump could be struggling and need emergency heat support:

• Certain rooms never feel quite warm enough.
• You notice the heat pump running for longer periods to maintain temperature.
• The system cycles on and off frequently but only delivers brief spurts of heat.
• Some supply vents start blowing cold air at times.
• You spot a thick layer of ice on the outdoor heat pump unit.
• The thermostat shows cryptic error codes.

Don't ignore these issues and assume the heat pump will work itself out. Activating the emergency heat mode can provide clues into what's malfunctioning.

Before Activating Emergency Heat

Is your heat pump truly broken or did you just overlook some routine maintenance? Before firing up the emergency heat, double check:

• The thermostat temperature setting is high enough.
• Air filters don't need replacing.
• Outdoor unit is free of leaves, snow, and debris.
• Vents aren't inadvertently blocked by furniture or rugs.
• Bleed any trapped air from hot water heating lines.
• Test that the backup heating system actually turns on when needed.

Taking these basic troubleshooting steps first could restore your heat pump to normal operation and avoid the extra cost of emergency heat.

How to Switch to Emergency Heat

If you've verified those issues aren't at play, here are the proper steps to activate emergency heat mode:

1. Locate the emergency heat switch on your thermostat. It's often marked with "EM Heat."
2. Switch the thermostat setting from "Heat" or "Auto" to "Off." This disables the heat pump.
3. Turn on the emergency heat function. You'll likely hear the backup heat kick in.
4. Lower the thermostat by 3-5degF from your normal heat setting to conserve energy.

Your heating system should now be getting warmth solely from the electric, gas, or oil furnace rather than the malfunctioning heat pump.

While Using Emergency Heat

Keep these tips in mind while your system is in emergency heat mode:

• Only use it as absolutely needed during troubleshooting.
• Limit time spent outdoors or opening exterior doors.
• Lower the thermostat temperature when away from home.
• Make sure curtains are fully closed to prevent drafts.
• Ensure adequate fuel/power if you have gas, oil, or electric backup.
• Monitor the system for any new issues or inconsistencies.

Taking steps to minimize emergency heat use will save on energy bills and prevent overburdening your backup heating system.

When to Call a Professional

In certain situations, it's best to have an HVAC technician examine your emergency heat issues:

• You've needed emergency heat for over 2-3 days.
• The outdoor unit shows signs of serious damage.
• The backup heating system fails to activate.
• You notice odd noises, smells, or leaks.
• Error codes reappear quickly after resets.
• You're unsure how to operate the emergency heat mode.

Don't take chances with complex heat pump repairs. Have a professional identify why it's not keeping your home warm and suggest solutions.

Returning to Normal Heat Pump Use

Once issues are resolved, you can take your heat pump out of emergency mode:

• If there was ice buildup, let the outdoor unit thaw completely before use.
• Have an HVAC technician inspect the system before switching modes.
• Change the thermostat setting back to "Heat" or "Auto."
• Gradually increase the temperature to normal levels over several hours.

Closely monitor heat output and efficiency to ensure problems don't reoccur after disabling emergency heat.

Preventing Future Emergency Heat Needs

While useful for troubleshooting, emergency heat mode costs more and strains your back up heating system. Prevent the need for it by:

• Having yearly heat pump maintenance done.
• Keeping the outdoor unit debris-free.
• Insulating the heat pump and associated pipes.
• Installing wind barriers around the outdoor unit.
• Eventually upgrading to a newer, more robust heat pump.

With proper care and maintenance, your heat pump will efficiently heat your home all winter long without needing emergency heat backup.

Dealing with heat pump problems during cold weather can be stressful. But understanding how to activate the emergency heat mode empowers you to troubleshoot issues quickly when they arise.

Use emergency heat as a diagnostic tool if your heat pump stops performing well. But don't rely on it long-term. Work with an HVAC technician to identify and address the root causes of the system's failure. With the right mix of preventative maintenance and prompt troubleshooting, your heat pump will keep your home warm and cozy all winter long.