If you’ve asked, “What is emergency heating?” or “How expensive is emergency heat?”, Martens Heating and Cooling has the answers you’re looking for.
Whether you’re looking to optimize your heating system’s efficiency or troubleshoot emergency heat problems, our team will provide you with valuable insight to help you stay warm and comfortable during Wisconsin’s coldest winter months – all while keeping energy costs under control.
What Is Emergency Heat?
Emergency heat, often referred to as ‘auxiliary heat’ or ‘second-stage heat,’ is a crucial component of your HVAC system. It’s designed to provide additional warmth during extreme weather conditions or when your primary heating source is not functioning properly.
As the name implies, emergency heat acts as a backup heating method. It is typically activated when the temperature drops significantly or when there’s an issue with your heat pump or furnace.
Emergency heat ensures your home remains comfortable and warm when you need it most. Understanding how and when to use it is essential for maintaining indoor comfort and efficiently managing your energy costs.
Not all heat pumps have emergency heat, but in Wisconsin’s northern climate, Martens Heating and Cooling provides heat pumps with this system. If your current unit has emergency heat:
- You will have a button labeled “emergency”
- Your heat pump manual will say that it has emergency heat
- Your thermostat will have a connector labeled with an E
If you still aren’t sure if your system has emergency heat, contact the professionals at Martens Heating and Cooling.
When Should You Use Emergency Heat?
You should consider turning on emergency heat in emergency situations to maintain a comfortable and warm indoor environment.
It’s typically best used when your furnace is fighting Wisconsin’s extremely cold weather conditions when temperatures drop into negative digits. In these cases, your primary heating system may struggle to extract heat from the frigid outdoor air efficiently.
Additionally, you should activate emergency heat when your furnace experiences a malfunction or requires emergency repair. Call our team for 24-hour emergency furnace repair and heater replacement.
By utilizing emergency heat on your HVAC unit when necessary, you can ensure that your home remains cozy and protected from the cold, all while preventing potential damage or discomfort caused by a malfunctioning furnace.
Understanding the Costs
Understanding emergency heat costs is essential for efficient home heating management. Emergency heat can be more expensive to operate compared to your regular heating system since it often relies on electric resistance heating, which consumes more energy.
According to an article from Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation (JOEMC), when your HVAC unit is operating in emergency heat mode, the cost of your heating bill goes up approximately $1.30 per hour.
Electric resistance heating uses more energy because it directly converts electricity into heat with near 100% efficiency, making it less eco-friendly than traditional heating systems that can extract heat from natural gas, propane, wood, fuel oil, electricity, or solar energy.
Using emergency heat excessively or unnecessarily can lead to high energy bills. To manage the costs effectively, it’s important to reserve it for truly critical situations, such as severe cold weather drops or when your primary heating system isn’t working.
Regular furnace maintenance and insulation improvements in your home can also help reduce overall heating costs. By being mindful of when and how you use emergency heat, you can strike a balance between staying warm and keeping energy expenses under control.
Common Issues With Emergency Heat
Common issues with emergency heat often stem from needing to use it in the first place. These issues can include a malfunctioning heat pump, incorrect thermostat settings, or a faulty switch that doesn’t activate the emergency heat when needed.
In some cases, homeowners may mistakenly leave the emergency heat on continuously, leading to higher energy bills.
- Thermostat Settings: Some thermostats have a setting that can be confusing, such as a switch or mode labeled “Emergency Heat” or “Auxiliary Heat.” If the thermostat is set to this mode and left there unintentionally, it can result in the emergency heat being used continuously.
- Failure to Reset: After using emergency heat on a freezing day or a heating system malfunction, some individuals may forget to reset their thermostat to the regular heating mode. This can result in emergency heat continuing to operate even when it’s not necessary.
To ensure your emergency heat functions properly and efficiently, it’s important to check your system regularly and perform routine maintenance. A professional HVAC technician from the team at Martens Heating and Cooling can also answer any questions or help make sure your system is operating appropriately.
Tax Savings Credits up to $2,000
By taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, you can have tax breaks and savings of up to $2,000 with the installation of high-quality HVAC systems for your home. Take advantage of these benefits today by choosing Martens Heating and Cooling to install a Bryant split ducted heat pump in your Fox Cities home!
Call the Fox Valley HVAC Experts at Martens Heating and Cooling Today!
If you have any heating questions or maintenance concerns, call the service team at Martens Heating and Cooling today. Our technicians travel throughout the Fox Cities area, including:
Call us today and make sure you and your family stay warm this winter without the extra cost of emergency heating.