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Auxiliary heat on your thermostat refers to your backup heating system within your heat pump, otherwise known as electric resistance heating. This commonly takes place once the indoor temperature on your thermostat reaches 2-3 degrees colder than the set indoor climate temperature.
When should a heat pump use auxiliary heat?
AUX heat refers to your heat pump’s “backup” electric resistance heating. 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.
What temp should AUX heat come on?
Cold Weather Causes Auxiliary Heat To Turn On Homeowners should expect auxiliary heat to turn on during colder temperatures, especially under 40 degrees. Your heat pump is an amazing appliance that can efficiently extract warmth from the outdoor air and transform it into cozy comfort inside your home.
How do I stop my auxiliary heat from coming on?
Tips for Avoiding AUX Heat Issues Schedule preventative maintenance every six months. Clean the areas around the outdoor HVAC unit regularly. Keep ducts and heat vents free of clutter. Don’t use the emergency heating setting for normal heating. Clean or replace the heat pump filter every month or two.
How do I know if my auxiliary heat is on?
Just feed the electronic probe into the supply outlet. If the heat pump is off you will know it. You cannot heat a house with 55 degree air.
Will AUX heat turn off?
Your thermostat inside your house is actually what determines when the auxiliary heat gets turned on. This commonly takes place once the indoor temperature on your thermostat reaches 2-3 degrees colder than the set indoor climate temperature. Aux heat will turn off once your home reaches the thermostat set point.
How often should AUX heat come on?
When should my auxiliary heat come on? When outside temperatures drop below 40 degrees. While undergoing the defrost cycle. When there is a 3 degree difference or more in the current temperature in your home and the thermostat setting.
Why does AUX heat keeps coming on?
Aux heat should only kick on when the heat pump can’t produce enough heat to warm your home on its own. This is typically caused by one of three factors: when it’s below 35° outside, you’re trying to heat your home by 3° or more, or your heat pump is in defrost mode.
Is AUX heat bad?
Is AUX heat bad? The short answer is no. In fact, aux heat is a critical mechanism that keeps your heat pump properly running when the outdoor temperature drops. Since this type of unit doesn’t work the same as a furnace, it can get cold.
What is Stage 2 auxiliary heat?
First-stage auxiliary heating for heat pumps and multi-stage furnaces; provides supplemental gas or electric heat when the heat pump cannot meet demand. Stage 2 Aux Heating. Second-stage auxiliary heating for heat pumps and multi-stage furnaces.
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 long should auxiliary heat run?
By default, this time is set to five minutes. This means, if your aux heat is called upon and canceled immediately, it will still run for five minutes before shutting down. If you change the threshold settings, you can configure the minimum on time and save on electricity or heating oil.
Does AUX heat use more electricity?
Auxiliary heat uses electric resistance heating, which is much less efficient than your heat pump. Therefore, a heating system stuck in AUX heat will run up an energy bill. If you have a heat pump, it is best to increase your heat setting by only two degrees at a time to prevent your auxiliary heat from operating.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air when the heat is on?
Your Heat Pump May Be In Defrost Mode As heat is released through the outdoor unit, it melts ice formations that would have been difficult or damaging to remove manually. Defrost mode is essentially the same as cooling mode, therefore it is likely your heat pump will blow cool air while in this mode.
Why Does My Honeywell thermostat say aux heat on?
When you see the “aux” heat indicator on your thermostat it means your heat pump needed some help reaching the desired temperature. It turns on automatically when the temperature falls about two degrees below the desired setting and turns off automatically when the target temperature is reached.
How much more expensive is auxiliary heat?
What is this? It will vary depending upon your energy provider, but typically auxiliary heat is up to 50% more costly than conventional heat. Auxiliary heat is different from your average heat source because instead of using a heating pump, it uses heating strips.
What is the most common form of auxiliary heat used in heat pumps?
Most auxiliary heating equipment is electric resistance heating coils. A few are finned electric heating elements. Either way, they turn on when the heat pump can’t draw in enough heat from the outside to meet the thermostat’s set temperature.
