However, when the outside temperature is 32° F or below, your auxiliary heat will usually turn on automatically. Auxiliary heat is the electric heat strip in your air handler that is supplemental heat. If the walls of your home are too cold and your heat pump is not powerful enough, AUX heat may be needed in order to make up the degrees. In an emergency, it’s convenient to have a secondary source of electricity. Emergency Heat, also known as “auxiliary heat”, is the second stage of heat that your thermostat runs on when the temperature is too cold for your heat pump to extract heat from the outside. Heat pump systems have two units - one outside the home and one inside the home. Auxiliary heat/ Emergency heat helps the heat pump keep up when cold outside or the temperature differential on the thermostat is large. In many situations, it’s a combination of both. A thermostat senses this and automatically turns on electric heat strips to provide the additional heat needed. Auxiliary Heat Your auxiliary heat, as just described, supplements your heat pump’s heat when it needs it. The difference between auxiliary heat and emergency heat is simply the name. It’s Cold! When ice accumulates on the outside of your water heater, you will need to unfreeze it. However, when you keep the inside temperature of your home at a lower degree, your heat pump won’t have to work so hard and the chances of having to use the heat strips will decrease by a lot. This means, when the temperatures start to drop and your heat pump cannot produce enough hot air to warm your home the aux heat will turn on. During those cold winter months, it’s best if you keep your home at 68 degrees. So it relies on an auxiliary (AUX) heat coil (like the ones you see in a toaster) or a furnace to heat your home. If your heat pump is running continuously using the heat strips during mild temperatures, be sure to call O’Brien Service Company. The “ AUX Heat ” mode is usually an indicator that it’s freezing outside, and your is heat pump is using a secondary backup heat source – your auxiliary heat—to keep your home at your set temperature. Auxiliary heating refers to a secondary heating source for various heat pumps or machines that are used during winter time. Press Esc to cancel. No-frills heat pump systems without the auxiliary heat capability sometimes make that feature an add-later option. How to minimize the use of auxiliary heat with a heat-pump on your ecobee thermostat Question: We have a heat pump and recently installed an ecobee thermostat. AUX heat can also start if the pump can’t handle the outside heat on cold winter nights. Now I keep on getting alerts that the Aux heat is running. What does it mean? In this situation, it’s recommended that you call a professional right away. Is it too cold? If the source of heat is the gas furnace, the heat pump turns off and if the source is electric heat then it works along with the heat pump. This will completely sidestep the heat pump and rely completely on the heat strips. This will take the heat from your home and use it to melt the ice. Auxiliary heat is used when the balance point can no longer efficiently transfer heat from the outside air (usually about 35 degrees Fahrenheit). However, when the outside temperature is 32° F or below, your auxiliary heat will usually turn on … Like Aire Serv, Mr. ElectricLink opens in a new tab is a member of the Neighborly®Link opens in a new tabfamily of home service brands. This is because heat pumps must work extra hard to get your home up to its set temperature (and to maintain that temperature). Auxiliary heat is when the secondary heat source turns on automatically. First “Auxiliary Heat”, “Strip Heat”, “Emergency Heat”, “Radiant Heat” are all used to reference the same heating mechanism; your electric heat strips that come with a heat pump. If you’re wondering what the auxiliary heat feature on your thermostat means, it’s basically a supplement heat source. However, if you still find yourself shivering in your home, something is almost certainly wrong with your system. Emergency Heat – This is when you turn on the secondary heat source. Considering a generator? This occurs when the weather drops into the mid-30s Fahrenheit – and definitely when it is below freezing. Although heat pumps are commonly used in houses around the country, many homeowners don’t fully understand what auxiliary heat is. Call (855) 679-0011 or request an appointment online to get started. Basically, auxiliary heat uses electric resistance heating to heat your home. If you turn it up quickly, your heat pump will do whatever is necessary to get your home up to that temperature as fast as it can. Aux heat comes from the same heat source as emergency heat, but aux heat works together with your heat pump, so it’s less expensive than emergency heat. Auxiliary heat means your heat pump is using electric resistance heating because outside temperatures are below 35°. It’s important for homeowners to fully understand what the term auxiliary means. It allows your unit to keep you comfortable in the most cost-effective way. The light comes on during normal operation as part of your unit's need to defrost the outer portion of the unit. Other auxiliary heat sources such as a fireplace can wreak havoc with a heat pump operation especially if the fireplace is in a line of sight to the thermostat. Aire Serv is fully equipped to install and service all types of heat pumps along with all their components. Although having the auxiliary heat function is useful, you’re going to prevent the use of it as much as possible. This is when the outside is around 35-40 degrees and the indoor temperature is around three degrees cooler than the thermostat setting. This is a sign there may be an issue with your heating system, and you could need a heating system repair. This is another reason why the auxiliary heat maybe going on. Do NOT turn on the emergency heat setting unless it’s really an emergency (for example, your heat pump broke). The unit outside your home is a heat pump and the unit inside the home is the auxiliary heating system. Important Notes on Nest Thermostats. The Auxiliary heat gets automatically turned on by your HVAC system to supplement the heat pump output when your system can’t keep up. Turning your thermostat to “heat” came with an unexpected “AUX” function appearing. 4) Auxiliary heat is malfunctioning Below 40 degrees, your heat pump struggles to heat your home. Short for auxiliary heat, this system is designed to heat your home up quickly instead of waiting for the cold heat pump on the exterior of your home. This means your aux heat will run a lot more, costing you more money. AUX heat mode is normal when: The temperature outside is below freezing So, what is auxiliary heat on a thermostat? Since electric resistance heating is much less efficient than your heat pump, you only want it to be on when necessary. Your health and safety are our highest priority during this time. Reach the Goldilocks Zone of “just right” with help from Aire Serv®. Aux heat comes from the same heat source as emergency heat, but aux heat works together with your heat pump, so it’s less expensive than emergency heat. Read on to learn how “aux heat” differs from “emergency heat” and more about this oft seen, but lesser known heat pump feature. Therefore, the heat strips turn and supply any extra heat that’s needed. When the temperature inside your home drops a certain amount below the goal temperature (usually 1.5-2 degrees), your thermostat energizes auxiliary heat. The AUX Heat indicator lets you know that the more expensive type of radiant heat has been engaged on your heat pump. It should not cause you any worry or concern. There are two main reasons as to why this may happen. Basically, if your heat pump is struggling to maintain its goal temperature, your aux heat will turn on … Click here for our precautionary measures. Tips for using your heat pump thermostat in winter: Is your home too hot? Emergency heat is when you turn on a secondary heat source manually. Only turn your heat up two degrees at a time to avoid using aux heat. Auxiliary heat is greatly helpful even when the heat pump malfunctions. Auxiliary Heat – This is the secondary heat source that turns on automatically. However, by turning your thermostat up slowly, you can avoid this. Make sure that in the coldest months of the year you know how to use your heat pump thermostat in the most efficient way possible. A lot of people don’t really understand the difference between auxiliary heat and emergency heat. The best way to do this is to turn the switch to the defrost mode on your water heater. Auxiliary Heat. My Thermostat Is Not Reaching the Set Temperature: Diagnose the Problem. Aux heat will turn off once your home reaches the thermostat set point. Well, aux heat might just save the day. Michael Joseph has more than 20 years of hands-on experience as an avid home handyman and had 10 years in the construction industry, specifically in the field of HVAC. During freezing weather, the outdoor heat pump will be too cold to quickly heat your home, which is when the auxiliary heating system would kick on. In other words, when the heat pump by itself is unable to meet the heating requirements, auxiliary heat automatically turns on. My Honeywell Thermostat is Not Turning On. The short answer is that auxiliary heat and emergency heat refer to the same thing, and are somewhat interchangeable. By understanding this term, homeowners will not only have a better idea of how their system works, they’ll also have more control over the inside temperature of their home. Auxiliary (AUX) heat is a second source of heat that comes with some heat pump systems. To do this, some heat pumps will rely on the use of heat strips. The aux heat indicator on your thermostat lets you know when this is happening. First off, AUX heat refers to your heat pump’s auxiliary (backup) heat source. Learn More About Aire Serv Indoor Air Quality Services, Learn about installing a generator at your home. This heat setting should only kick on when the heat pump can’t produce enough heat to warm your home or if your heat pump goes into defrost mode. Like mentioned above, the auxiliary heat will turn on when the temperature outside of your home drops below 32° F. Your heat pump does this, because it detects that the inability to effectively move the heat from the outside to the inside of your home. When my heat pump turns on the temperature drops about 4 degrees before it starts to warm up. Unfortunately, using the auxiliary heat is significantly more expensive than using your heat pump. If you think your heat pump is broken, it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible. The electric strips that come with your heat pump are engaged when the outside temperature is extremely cold. Auxiliary heat kicks on when your heat pump can’t produce enough heat to warm your home by itself. If a heat pump is having a difficult time coming up to a certain temperature quickly due to extremely cold outdoor temperatures, the “aux heat” indicator means that a secondary heat source (generally gas or electric) has been deployed. The difference is quite simple. To find out for sure, just get in touch with Aspire Heating & Cooling. On the other hand, your emergency heat takes over, or replaces, your heat pump’s heat. To start, the job of a heat pump is to take air from the outside your house, warm it and then blow it throughout the different parts of your home. You know if the auxiliary heat is running when you see "Aux Heat On" in the thermostat's display. Emergency heat is the same thing as auxiliary heat. This happens sometimes when it’s colder than average and on the verge of extreme temperature drop like Nashville experienced this last spring. My Honeywell Thermostat Says Wait: What to do Next? Both forms of heat are the exact same heat … This is much less efficient than using your heat pump. It may be more effective, but it comes with a specific cost that you might not be anticipating. If your auxiliary is staying on, you may need to get it checked out. Why is this? When you go to turn up the thermostat, make sure that you only turn it up 2 degrees at a time. Auxiliary heat is a heating system that works when the temperature inside a home or building drops lower than two or three degrees from what the temperature is set. So, you’ll want to make sure you bundle up before you begin defrosting the ice off your unit. This will save you money in the long run. You don’t have to connect your Nest thermostat to your Wi-Fi network. Every degree above 68 degrees can boost your electrical bill by a whopping 4%. Because consumers have many more auxiliary heat options to work with for augmenting heat pumps, this allows them to experience a winter or two in a milder climate zone without the feature before committing to the extra investment, whichever one it may be. I guess the only difference is that AUX is an ‘indicator’ on your thermostat that you are running the heat strips when the switch is set to HEAT. Type above and press Enter to search. Or when someone decides they are cold, and turns the thermostat up more than three degrees. The way auxiliary heat works is by using electric resistance to heat your home. Have you ever seen the words “aux heat” on your digital thermostat and wondered what exactly it means? Like just stated, when your auxiliary heat function is running, it’s going to use up much more energy than your heat pump. Auxiliary heat is a backup heating system. Learn about installing a generator at your homeLink opens in a new tab with help from our friends at Mr. Electric®Link opens in a new tab. Aux heat provides extra heat alongside the heat pump when the pump can’t draw enough heat from the air outside. AUX heat refers to your heat pump’s “backup” electric resistance heating. Although it will cost a bit more. It starts working when there is a sudden temperature drop of more than two degrees. The heat in this case is provided by an alternate source such as the gas furnace or electric heat. The auxiliary heat is an important function of your A/C system. Emergency Heat: Are They The Same Thing? Auixiliary Heat will turn on automatically when heat can no longer efficiently transfer heat from the outside air to heat pump. Turning on emergency heat means you’re relying completely on the secondary heat source, which is a lot more expensive than running aux heat. Make sure that you only use the emergency heat feature as temporary solution and not a long-term solution. Your system can use AUX heat to help keep you comfortable in harsh weather or to help change the temperature in your home quickly. Aux Ht or Auxiliary heat is the backup heat that turns on to help the compressor for first stage maintain your temperature setting. Typically, your heat pump will energize the auxiliary heat strip inside your secondary heating source to help reach its set temperature more quickly. When your heat pump breaks down, or it just isn’t working the way it’s designed to, a homeowner can switch to emergency heat. To start, the job of a heat pump is to take air from the outside your house, warm it and then blow it throughout the different parts of your home. Auxiliary heat is a great way to heat your home in the winter. The “aux” means auxiliary as the heat strips are designed to be a second stage of heat Demand The second most common time that the heat strips will come on is when there is a “demand” for them. It does this by only jumping in when the heat pump can’t handle things on its own. During this time both your Auxiliary heat … Both air exchange and geothermal heat pumps aren’t as efficient during extremely cold weather. Auxiliary heat is a regular function of a heat pump. © 2021 Dwyer Franchising, LLC All rights reserved. Aux Heat Vs. In fact, many people get auxiliary heat confused with emergency heat when they are actually quite different. Heat pumps are the main source of heat most of the time, but they aren't efficient when it's very cold outside. Your aux heat works in tandem with your secondary heat source and your home’s heat pump. Auxiliary heat on the other hand uses heat strips together with the heat pump to supplement the loss of heat. Many people wonder about aux heat vs. emergency heat: Are they the same thing, or are there differences between the two? Sometimes mistaken for emergency heat, aux heat is a heat pump thermostat setting. If you’ve been on vacation, you’ve probably kept the inside temperature of your home much cooler than normal. Your thermostat determines when the auxiliary heat gets energized. Auxiliary heat is a component of heat pump systems. Therefore, if it’s below 40 outside and the auxiliary heat isn’t working, then your heat pump will just blow lukewarm or cool air. Bringing your house up to temperature slowly will ensure that your heat pump is able to draw the necessary heat from the outside air instead of using the heat strips. Auxiliary heat (aux heat) is an additional heating component to a central heating system using an air-source heat pump. If your aux heat indicator is on, it means your heat pump needs a little help reaching its target temperature setting. If the temperature outside begins to warm up, and you notice that your auxiliary heat is still on, you’ll know that there is a problem. “Aux” is short for auxiliary heat. If you’re wondering what the auxiliary heat feature on your thermostat means, it’s basically a supplement heat source. Typically, your heat pump will energize the auxiliary heat strip inside your secondary heating source to help reach its set temperature more quickly. As a result, this inefficiency will lead to more expensive electricity bills. Emergency Heat is typically triggered when it is 35°F and below outside. Under normal conditions, heat pumps will run … We know you have questions, so below we’ll go into more detail about: Tap to Call (303) 436-2525 Plumbline Services & COVID-19 Here are some tips to helping prevent the use of the auxiliary heat function. Otherwise, your auxiliary heat is working when it shouldn’t be and driving up the cost of your heating bill. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Basically, if your heat pump is struggling to maintain its goal temperature, your aux heat will turn on and give your heat pump a boost. Call a professional if your thermostat indicates aux heat is running even after outside temperatures reach 40 degrees or higher. If the task is too much for the heat pump’s normal function, it may rely on the heat strips as an auxiliary heating source. It’s important to note that this method will result in cold air coming out of all your vents. Pump, you may need to unfreeze it by a whopping 4 % questions, so we. 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