
Heat Pumps and Emergency Heat
When temperatures drop and your heat pump struggles to keep up, you might be tempted to use the “emergency heat” setting on your thermostat. While this option can provide warmth during frigid conditions, relying on it for extended periods can be costly by significantly increasing your energy bills.
At Charlotte Comfort Systems, we understand the importance of keeping your home warm without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll explain why the emergency heat setting should be used sparingly, how it works, and how much more it can cost to run your heat pump on emergency heat over the course of a week.
What Is Emergency Heat, and How Does It Work?
Emergency heat is a backup heating system built into most heat pumps. When outdoor temperatures drop too low (typically below 30°F), your heat pump may not be able to extract enough heat from the air to maintain your desired indoor temperature. In such cases, the emergency heat system activates, usually in the form of electric resistance heating strips.
Unlike the standard operation of a heat pump, which transfers heat efficiently from the outside air, emergency heat generates heat directly. While effective, this method consumes a lot more electricity, leading to higher energy costs.
The Cost Difference Between Regular and Emergency Heat
To illustrate the cost impact of using emergency heat, let’s compare the energy usage of a heat pump under normal conditions versus when it operates on emergency heat.
Scenario | Normal Operation (30°F) | Emergency Heat (10°F) |
---|---|---|
Watts per Hour | 3,000 watts | 3,000 watts + 15,000 wattts |
Hours Used per Day | 12 hours | 24 hours + 12 hours |
Number of Days | 7 days | 7 days |
Total kWh Consumed | 252 kWh | 1,512 kWh |
Cost per kWh | $0.13 | $0.13 |
Total Cost for One Week | $32.76 | $196.56 |
As shown in the table above, using emergency heat for 12 hours a day over a week can increase your energy costs by $163.80. This significant jump in costs highlights why emergency heat should only be used when absolutely necessary.
When Should You Use Emergency Heat?
The emergency heat setting on your thermostat is designed for specific situations, such as:
Using emergency heat outside of these scenarios is inefficient and costly. Instead, let your heat pump operate as designed. It will automatically activate auxiliary heat (a component of emergency heat) when needed without requiring manual intervention.
While emergency heat is an important feature of your heat pump system, it’s not designed for regular use. Running your heat pump on emergency heat for prolonged periods can result in steep energy bills. By understanding how your heat pump operates and taking steps to optimize its efficiency, you can keep your home warm without overspending.
If you have questions about your heat pump or need assistance with heating system maintenance, Charlotte Comfort Systems is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how to keep your system running efficiently all winter long.
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