When temperatures plummet below freezing, your heat pump might struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. This is where the emergency heat setting on your thermostat comes into play. This setting is essentially a backup heating system that kicks in when the heat pump can’t extract enough heat from the outside air.

How Heat Pumps Work in Cold Weather

Heat pumps are efficient because they transfer heat rather than generate it. In moderate climates, they are incredibly effective. However, as the temperature drops, their efficiency diminishes. This is because the heat pump has to work harder to extract the decreasing amount of heat available in the outside air.

Auxiliary Heat and Heat Strips

To compensate for this loss in efficiency, most heat pumps are equipped with auxiliary heating. This auxiliary heat, often in the form of electric heat strips, provides additional warmth when the heat pump alone can’t maintain the desired indoor temperature. These heat strips are essentially large electric resistors that heat up as electricity passes through them, similar to the elements in an electric toaster.

When Does Emergency Heat Activate?

Emergency heat is manually activated through your thermostat when your heat pump is not functioning properly or during extremely cold weather conditions. It’s important to understand that emergency heat is more costly to operate than the standard heat pump setting. When you switch to emergency heat, your system stops using the heat pump and relies solely on the auxiliary heat strips.

Impact on Power Bills

The use of emergency heat and auxiliary heating can significantly impact your power bill. This is due to the difference in the way heat pumps and heat strips operate:

1. Heat Pump Efficiency: Heat pumps are generally more energy-efficient because they transfer heat rather than generate it. This process requires less electricity.

2. Cost of Running Heat Strips: When auxiliary heat or emergency heat is engaged, the heat strips consume a lot more electricity. This is because generating heat through electrical resistance is a less efficient process.

3. Duration of Use: The longer the emergency heat needs to run, the higher the impact on your power bill. This is particularly noticeable during prolonged cold spells.

Tips to Reduce the Impact on Your Bill

To minimize the impact on your power bill, consider the following tips:

1. Proper Insulation: Ensure your home is well-insulated. This can reduce the need for auxiliary heating as it keeps the heat inside.

2. Regular Maintenance: Regularly service your heat pump to ensure it operates efficiently.

3. Smart Thermostat Use: Use a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature when you’re not home or during the night.

4. Emergency Heat Awareness: Only use emergency heat when absolutely necessary. Remember, it’s for emergency situations, not regular use during winter.

Conclusion

Understanding how your heat pump and its emergency heat setting work is crucial, especially in regions with freezing temperatures. While emergency heat is an essential feature, it’s more costly to operate. Being mindful of when and how to use it can help manage your power bill while keeping your home warm during those chilly winter months.

This overview should help you understand the role and impact of emergency heat settings, auxiliary heat, and heat strips in heat pumps, especially in cold weather, and how their use can affect your power bill.