Emergency heat on a heat pump should only be used in actual emergency situations, such as when the heat pump is malfunctioning, damaged, or unable to keep the home warm (for example, if it freezes over or breaks down). It is not meant for routine heating, even in very cold weather, because it is much less efficient and more expensive to run compared to the heat pump itself. Emergency heat works by bypassing the heat pump and activating a secondary heating source, such as electric heat strips, which consume more energy. You should use emergency heat only when:
- Your heat pump is broken or iced over and cannot heat the home adequately.
- There is physical damage to the heat pump (e.g., from a falling branch).
- You are waiting for a repair technician to fix your heat pump.
Using emergency heat as regular heating in cold weather wastes energy and raises your heating bills significantly. Once your heat pump is repaired or the outdoor temperature rises enough for it to operate normally, you should turn off the emergency heat setting to avoid unnecessary costs. In summary, emergency heat is a backup system to keep you warm temporarily during heat pump failures, not a default or supplemental heating mode for cold weather operation.
