Emergency Heat on a Heat Pump: What It Is and When to Use It

The “Emergency Heat” setting is perhaps the most ill-understood setting of any heat pump. Understanding what this setting is and when it is useful can help prevent costly mistakes on utility bills and warn you of the need to call for Heat Pump Service in Freehold, NJ.

What is Emergency Heat? Your System’s Backup Plan

Emergency Heat serves as a secondary heating system in place within your heat pump. It employs electric resistance heating coils (similar to a large capacity space heater) that are the source of the heat produced. It allows for the heating of the house when the primary heat pump is not serving properly. This system is manually activated by the selection of “Em Heat” or “Emergency Heat” on the thermostat, which deactivates the outdoor unit and lets the backup coils function alone.

Important Distinction: Emergency Heat and “Auxiliary Heat” operations are often integrated into the same physical component. The distinguishing feature is that the Auxiliary Heat automatically starts intermittently, while Emergency Heat is a manually enforced bypass of the heat pump completely.

When Should You Manually Switch to Emergency Heat?

The use of this setting causes an unnecessary increase in the cost of electricity. There are two uncommon areas in which it should be used, namely:

When your primary Heat Pump fails: This is the most recommended reason to use Emergency Heat. As no cooling power remains as the main source of if the heat pump were mechanically broken, it will help you achieve heat whilst you go in search of technical assistance. During these times, it’s crucial to get your Heat Pump repaired by professionals immediately to avoid the long-run damage your entire system would be at.

In Severe And Protracted Freeze: When subsequent ice storms will cover the outdoor unit in thick ice that prohibits melting, or temperatures are strikingly below operational capacity levels, then Emergency Heat will be simply a stopgap measure.

The Critical Role of Professional Heat Pump Maintenance

A malfunction in the emergency heat situation will usually arise due to some underlying fault. Yet this can generally be evaded by periodic Heat Pump Maintenance. During a Heat Pump Services Freehold NJ technician’s visit, they will perform regular maintenance and fix components or the refrigerant or check for poor functioning of the defrost cycle. Such preventive care takes care of small problems before they burgeon into a total breakdown that might force you to use the inefficient emergency setting.

Conclusion: Use Wisely and Call a Pro

In summary, treat Emergency Heat as a temporary backup for true system emergencies. Its operation is a clear sign that your primary system needs attention. For reliable performance and to avoid the high costs of emergency heat, prioritize annual maintenance and schedule prompt Heat Pump Repair with a trusted local provider to ensure your system runs efficiently all winter long.