Mistakes To Avoid When Using The Emergency Heat Setting On Your Thermostat

If your home's HVAC system uses a heat pump, it's likely that there is an emergency heat or EM heat setting on your thermostat. As its name implies, this functionality works as a backup heat source that's meant to be used in emergencies. And while not all thermostats come with an EM function, systems that use a heat pump, as well as those located in areas where temperatures regularly drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, frequently do.

When pressed, a secondary heat source (either gas, oil, electric, or hot water) is activated to help pick up the slack and raise temperatures higher than the heat pump alone could. Normally, the EM heat setting will turn on automatically when temperatures become frigid and the outdoor heat pump can no longer handle your home's heating needs on its own. It may also turn on while the heat pump is defrosting itself.

Turning it on manually is possible and can be tempting when the cold winter months arrive, but this can turn out to be both costly and harmful to the overall HVAC system. Here are the mistakes to avoid when using the emergency heat setting on your thermostat.

The most common mistake homeowners make when it comes to their thermostat's emergency heat setting is turning it on manually as soon as winter begins. However, that's not an ideal thermostat setting. The system is optimized to be triggered on its own when temperatures dip below a certain point and is meant to keep your home warm with a hands-off approach.

Running EM heat when it's not necessary (especially for long periods of time) could be a reason that your heating bill is through the roof, as you'll be paying for both your regular heating as well as the secondary heat source. What's more, overusing the functionality can cause damage to the HVAC unit itself, which can result in a need for repairs and more bills. Because it's such an inefficient system, you should only use the EM setting when your unit needs the extra push to keep you and your family warm.

Manually turning on the EM heat setting is only warranted when the heat pump malfunctions and you notice that your home's temperature remains well below what it should be. Just remember it's not a permanent solution and a maintenance call should be made immediately to minimize the time that the emergency heat setting is enabled and keep your bills in check.