Do you have a heat pump system working to keep your home comfortable this winter? If so, you may want to take note of a helpful tip our experts recommend knowing in order to operate your system effectively when the temperatures are below freezing.
Watch our video below to learn the steps for how you can turn your heat pump system to Emergency Heat Mode and take the necessary precautions to ensure it keeps you most comfortable in the cold, winter weather.
What Is Emergency Heat Mode?
Emergency heat mode, also known as auxiliary heat mode, is a feature found in many heat pump systems. It’s designed to provide additional heating in situations where the heat pump alone may not be sufficient to meet the heating demands, such as extremely cold weather conditions.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Normal Heat Pump Operation: Under normal circumstances, a heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor air (or ground, in the case of a ground source heat pump) and transfers it indoors to heat the living space. This process is energy-efficient but becomes less effective as the outdoor temperature drops.
- Emergency Heat Mode: When the outdoor temperature becomes extremely cold, and the heat pump’s efficiency decreases, the system may switch to emergency heat mode. In this mode, the heat pump is essentially bypassed, and electric resistance heating elements, often referred to as heat strips, are activated to provide additional heat.
It’s important to note that operating in emergency heat mode consumes more electricity than using the heat pump alone. Therefore, it’s recommended to use emergency heat sparingly and revert to normal heat pump operation when outdoor temperatures allow for it.
Steps To Put Your Heat Pump System In Emergency Heat Mode
To prevent a system breakdown, you will want to turn your thermostat to ‘E-heat’ until the temperatures get above freezing “32 degrees & higher”. Once it is above freezing outside, turn the system back into regular heating mode or you could cause yourself to have higher electric cost.
Trane Home Thermostats: 824, 850, or 1050
Do you have a Trane 824, 850, or 1050 thermostat? Use the following steps to put your heat pump into Emergency Heat Mode.
- Step 1: Press System Mode
- Step 2: Press System Options
- Step 3: Press Enable Emergency Heat, then select Done.
- Step 4: Once the temperatures are above freezing, do the same 3 steps, but select Disable & Done to put the system back in regular heating mode.
NOTE: Putting your system back in regular heating mode after the colder temperatures pass is very important to ensure you are conserving your utility usage.
Basic Trane Thermostat: TCONT203
Do you have a basic Trane Thermostat, including the TCONT203 stat? Use these steps for Emergency Heat Mode.
- Step 1: Press the System button to select the Aux position.
- Step 2: Press the UP arrow to adjust thermostat setting to 1 degree ABOVE room temperature. The auxiliary heating system should begin to operate and the thermostat will indicate Heat On Aux.
- Step 3: Press the DOWN arrow to adjust thermostat setting 1 degree BELOW room temperature. The auxiliary heating system should stop operating and the Heat On Aux icon will disappear.
If you’ve done these steps and you are still concerned about system performance and unsure if your heat pump is operating correctly, contact Logan Services.
Other Helpful Heating Tips For Cold Weather
It is also very important that your filter is clean, this will cause the heat pump system to freeze up & not thaw completely or heat properly. If your system still doesn’t defrost or heat properly once temperatures return to normal, you should call your HVAC Professional to look at the system
What Is A Heat Pump?
A residential heat pump is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that provides both heating and cooling for residential buildings. It operates on the principle of transferring heat between the indoor and outdoor environments rather than generating heat directly. Heat pumps are energy-efficient and can be an eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems.
The key components of a residential heat pump system include an outdoor unit (containing a compressor and a condenser coil) and an indoor unit (containing an evaporator coil and a fan). The refrigerant circulates between these components, absorbing heat from the outdoor air or ground during the heating season and releasing it indoors. In the cooling season, the process is reversed to remove heat from the indoor air and release it outside.
Heat pumps are known for their energy efficiency, as they can provide up to three times more heating or cooling energy than the electrical energy they consume. They are a popular choice for homeowners looking to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
For more information about replacing or servicing your heating and cooling system, contact the team at Logan Services.
