Now is the time to get to know your thermostat and your heating system! As your professional heating and cooling company at Lake of the Ozarks, many of our customers ask, "What is emergency heat on my thermostat?" We know you are not an expert when it comes to your HVAC system, but Royal Heating & Air can help. We want to explain what the emergency heat setting means on your thermostat in today's blog from the best HVAC repair and maintenance company at the Lake of the Ozarks.
1. What does Emergency Heat mean on my thermostat?
Emergency heat is the second stage of heat used in your heating system. When the temperatures drop below 32 degrees, your heat pump may need help producing warm air. A heat pump takes the outside air and uses it to produce heat in your home. When the air becomes extremely cold, it becomes harder for the heat pump to convert it to warm air. The emergency heat setting will bypass the heat pump in this situation and produce warm air using your electric furnace.
2. Does it cost more to run Emergency Heat?
Typically, yes. It is using more electricity to run the emergency heat source. Factors that could impact the cost is if you use gas or propane instead of electricity to run your heat. The cost will then depend on the cost of gas and propane. In most cases, it is more costly to use the emergency heat setting, which is why it is best to only use it when needed.
3. When should I use Emergency Heat?
When temperatures start dropping, your heating system should automatically switch and adjust how it produces warm air. If you notice cool air blowing from your vents, you can switch over to emergency heat to see if it helps. If you notice your heat pump not working or the outside unit is frozen, switch to emergency heat and then give us a call. You do not want the system to only use the emergency heat setting. It is meant to be used temporarily, hence the name "Emergency".4. Should I turn the Emergency Heat on if the temperature is below 32 degrees?
Don't switch over to emergency heat unless you need to. Your HVAC system should automatically adjust and use the secondary heat source to help warm your home. Your heat pump uses the outside air to convert to warm air in your home, so when the temperatures become colder it does make it harder to produce warm air. Your system should adjust without you switching over to the emergency heat setting. You should only use your emergency heat source if you notice cool air blowing from vents or your home's indoor temperature is not warming up. In this case, switch over to emergency heat to see if it helps to warm your home.
5. When should I call a professional?
Give us a call if you have any questions at all about your heating system. We know it can be confusing, but most of all we don't want you caught in an emergency situation. As mentioned above, if you notice cool air coming out of your vents or your home not warming up, it is time to give us a call. The best way to ensure your system is ready for the cooler weather is with regular maintenance on your HVAC system. Fall and Spring are the best time to get your system checked before the extreme cold and hot weather hits.
Your HVAC System With Royal Heating & Air
At Royal Heating & Air, we can help with all your HVAC needs including preventative maintenance, repairs and installing new units. Make sure your HVAC unit is working properly by having a professional HVAC technician at the Lake of the Ozarks do regular maintenance. However, when it is time to upgrade, call Royal Heating & Air at 573-480-4313 and we can help you install your new system.
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