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Should I Switch My Thermostat to “Emergency Heat” If It’s Super Cold Outside?

ICSNY • Aug 29, 2022

When It's Really Cold, Does It Help to Turn My Thermostat to Emergency Heat?

If you are tempted to turn your thermostat to the EM setting, or emergency heat, simply because the temperatures are freezing, don't do it.

Turning on your emergency heat, even when your heat pump is still working is only going to raise your energy heating bills.

Emergency heat should only be used in the event you have no heat, like when your electric furnace blows cold air. If your heater is blowing cold air, it's time to contact a professional HVAC company to come and solve the problem for you.

Your Heat Pump and Furnace Blowing Cold Air

A heat pump system works by pulling heat from the exterior of your home, and bringing it inside. It transfers heat, but does not produce heat. There are times when the temperature gets too low outside, and your heat pump will struggle to heat your home.

A secondary heating system, such as an electric or oil furnace, will ensure that your home stays warm enough when the temperature gets below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is more expensive to use the backup heating system, and this is why you don't want to turn on your emergency heat until you have to. The heat pump system can take care of keeping you warm and cool throughout the year, and you aren't going to have to rely on an electric furnace of gas furnace often.

Why is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

If the furnace is blowing cold air, there could be any number of problems going on with your heating system. If you are relying on your furnace as backup heat to a heat pump, and you are getting cold air, you need to get an HVAC technician to your home to figure out what is going on. The air filters may be clogged, the fuel supply interrupted, or there could be problems with the pilot light.

Constantly relying on your backup heat will cost you more money, and you want to pay attention to how often you have to switch over your system.os Always check that your thermostat is on the correct setting when your heater is blowing cold air. The problem could be as simple as a thermostat on a fan.

When you turn on your emergency heat system, your heat pump stops trying to pull heat from the outdoors. If you are relying on a heat strip as emergency heat, this is not efficient, and will cost you a lot of money in utilities.

Turning On Your Emergency Heat

Your system will use the backup heat, only when it needs to. You do not need to turn on your emergency heat system unless your heat pump isn't working.

If you are having problems with your heating system, it's time to contact a professional HVAC company to figure out what is going on. Get your system serviced, and don't rely on emergency heat for an extended period of time.

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