Have you ever wondered why your thermostat has two heat settings? Are you unsure about the differences between “AUX Heat” and “EM Heat” on your thermostat? Have you ever wondered why some thermostats have these features while others don’t?
AC installation experts at American Refrigeration take a look at both of them in this blog and explain the key differences between them.
Auxiliary Heat
The heat pump is commonly used as a primary source of heat, although it has its limitations. A heat pump can heat your home as long as the outdoor temperature is 45 degrees or higher. The exterior coil can freeze up at 45 degrees, causing the system to frost over. As the exterior unit defrosts, the air handler turns on the auxiliary heater. This electric heater will provide extra heat to the home while the exterior unit defrosts. Once the outdoor system has defrosted, the auxiliary heater is turned off and heat pump mode continues.
When your system reverses to defrost the coils, it also switches on heating strips to keep your home warm. This is called “auxiliary heat.” This is usually set to auto and turns on when your system detects that it’s been operating too long or that the outdoor coil has accumulated too much ice and needs to defrost.
Emergency Heat
Emergency heat is a term heating and AC system repair experts use for when a homeowner must force the system into electric heating mode if their heat pump system has failed or isn’t working correctly. This heater is the same as the auxiliary element but in a different configuration. The heater isn’t intended to heat your home to 80 degrees, but rather to supplement the heat pump’s defrost cycle and act as a backup system in the event of a system failure.
When activated, your system’s heat strips replace your compressor and heat pump. This prevents damage to your outdoor heat pump system. The name “emergency” is connected to it since it requires a lot of extra energy. To avoid causing damage to your core system, only use this mode when absolutely necessary.
When’s the Best Time to Use Each One?
Many homeowners are confused by the EM HEAT setting. What is its purpose? Well, in the event that your heat pump breaks down, you’ll need a backup heat source to keep your home warm. The emergency heat setting is a manual setting. When the heat pump comes back on or is fixed, set the thermostat to AUX HEAT. Strip heat is inefficient and will raise your energy bill faster than a heat pump. Finally, be safe and wait for an emergency to utilize EM HEAT.
American Refrigeration is the go-to contractor for your air conditioning and heating maintenance needs. Our team is committed to keeping your residential or commercial property comfortable year-round. To learn more about what we can do for you, give us a call at (662) 337-7968 or fill out our contact form.
