Is it bad if auxiliary heat comes on?

Is AUX heat bad? The short answer is no. In fact, aux heat is a critical mechanism that keeps your heat pump properly running when the outdoor temperature drops. Since this type of unit doesn’t work the same as a furnace, it can get cold.

How do I stop my auxiliary heat from coming on?

One of the simplest things you can do to keep your Honeywell thermostat from switching to auxiliary heat is to lower the temperature in your home. Setting the thermostat for somewhere between sixty to sixty-eight degrees is all you should need to do to get the problem under control.

Why is the auxiliary heat coming on?

Aux heat will kick on when your heat pump cannot deliver enough warmth to heat your home. Typically, your heat pump will energize the auxiliary heat strip inside your secondary heating source to help reach its set temperature faster.

Is auxiliary heat supposed to come on?

To recap, auxiliary, or emergency heat should only be on when the outside temperature is below freezing. Down here in the south, that should mostly happen at night and during the occasional snowstorm. However, if the weather is warmer and above the freezing level, your auxiliary heat should automatically turn off.

How often should AUX heat come on?

When should my auxiliary heat come on? When outside temperatures drop below 40 degrees. While undergoing the defrost cycle. When there is a 3 degree difference or more in the current temperature in your home and the thermostat setting.

Is AUX heat and emergency heat the same?

Auxiliary heating turns on automatically to help heat your home more quickly if the temperature drops suddenly. The emergency heat setting has to be manually switched on and should only be used in temperatures below 30 degrees.

Is it more expensive to run auxiliary heat?

Auxiliary heat can handle more extreme temperatures since it uses electric heat strips. What this means, unfortunately, is that it’s more expensive than the conventional heat provided by a heat pump. While a gas furnace is not as efficient as a heat pump, it is more efficient than a heat pump using auxiliary heat.

How long can you run auxiliary heat?

Aux Heat Minimum On Time By default, this time is set to five minutes. This means, if your aux heat is called upon and canceled immediately, it will still run for five minutes before shutting down. If you change the threshold settings, you can configure the minimum on time and save on electricity or heating oil.

How much does it cost to run auxiliary heat?

When operating in the auxiliary/emergency heating mode, that cost goes up to around $1.30 per hour. If your heat pump is operating in auxiliary/emergency mode without due cause (outdoor temperatures are above freezing or no drastic adjustment to your thermostat), it is possible that your system is malfunctioning.

Is auxiliary heat gas or electric?

Auxiliary heat uses electric resistance heating, which is much less efficient than your heat pump. Therefore, a heating system stuck in AUX heat will run up an energy bill. If you have a heat pump, it is best to increase your heat setting by only two degrees at a time to prevent your auxiliary heat from operating.

What’s the difference between auxiliary heat and emergency heat?

What does auxiliary heat mean on a thermostat?

When the temperature inside your home drops a certain amount below the goal temperature (usually 1.5-2 degrees), your thermostat energizes auxiliary heat. The aux heat indicator on your thermostat lets you know when this is happening. Aux heat will turn off once your home reaches the thermostat set point.

What does it mean when your thermostat is stuck on aux?

It could mean one of your thermostats may be stuck or faulty, which is causing your system to be stuck in auxiliary heat mode non-stop. To avoid a large energy bill (because aux heat is more expensive than heat pump heating), you’ll want an HVAC professional to check your thermostat and fix it ASAP.

How does auxiliary heat get energized?

Your thermostat determines when the auxiliary heat gets energized. When the temperature inside your home drops a certain amount below the goal temperature (usually 1.5-2 degrees), your thermostat energizes auxiliary heat.

What does “aux” mean on a heat pump?

“Aux” is short for auxiliary heat. If a heat pump is having a difficult time coming up to a certain temperature quickly due to extremely cold outdoor temperatures, the “aux heat” indicator means that a secondary heat source (generally gas or electric) has been deployed.