Do you need backup heat with heat pump? (2023)

Do you need a second heat source with a heat pump?

Yes, a back-up heat source is required with a heat pump.

This heating method works incredibly efficiently until the outdoor temperature reaches about 35 degrees. At this point, the heat pump has difficulty extracting enough heat from outside to keep up with the thermostat setting. This is when many people assume it's time for switching their heat pump to emergency heat.

In normal mode, a heat pump works by pulling in heat from the outside. The heat pump setting's emergency heat will usually switch on and off automatically during brief periods when the outside air gets too cold.

Although most heat pumps use electric resistance heaters as a backup for cold weather, heat pumps can also be equipped in combination with a gas furnace, sometimes referred to as a dual-fuel or hybrid system, to supplement the heat pump.

7 Disadvantages of Heat Pumps are:

High upfront cost. Difficult to install. Questionable Sustainability. Requires significant work.

Common questions about heat pumps in cold weather

Yes, air source heat pumps work below 20 degrees Fahrenheit—in fact, they can perform well below -10!

You can run a heat pump at all temperatures as it is designed to switch to emergency heat when it reaches below 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, there is no need to manually switch an air heat pump off, even in the coldest temperatures, because it was created with efficiency in mind.

Ideal Winter Heat Pump Temperature Settings

According to the Department of Energy, 68°F is the sweet spot that balances comfort and energy efficiency during the fall and winter months. When your home is occupied and when family members are awake, a heat pump setting of 68°F keeps the living areas reasonably warm.

The thing is, not all heat pumps come with auxiliary heat. In some places where the climate is milder, they don't need a backup heat source since their winters don't get too cold. That's why heat pump manufacturers give buyers the option to buy this appliance with or without a backup heat source.

The average heat output can be 85-92°F; however, how warm the output from your heat pump will be is determined by several factors, including age and condition of the heat pump. Newer heat pumps with R410a refrigerants can extract more heat from the outside air, which improves output.

What is the difference between auxiliary heat and emergency heat on a heat pump?

What Are Auxiliary Heat & Emergency Heat? Auxiliary Heat – This is the secondary heat source that turns on automatically. Emergency Heat – This is when you turn on the secondary heat source.

Unlike a gas furnace or boiler, which burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump heats your home by using refrigerant to transfer heat energy from outside to inside. There's enough heat in the outside air to accomplish comfortable home heating, until the temperatures begin to fall below freezing for extended periods.

A whole-house heat pump can provide heating and cooling for your entire home, making it a great choice for those who want an energy-efficient solution.

Heat pumps are a more energy-efficient, safe, and environmentally-friendly alternative to furnaces that use gas and oil. Because they run on electricity, they don't create the harmful byproducts that come with combustion (burning gas or oil).

Most Common Heat Pump Problem – Weird Noises

In this case, there are two types of noises. Rattling noises, which are indicative of loose parts within the heat pump. Or squeaky noises, which are an indication that something is wrong with the pump and you should call in your repair specialist to look at your heat pump.

How Long Does a Heat Pump Last? Because heat pumps are often relied on year-round, they don't typically last quite as long as furnaces and air conditioners. Their average lifespan is about 10 to 15 years.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air source heat pumps can reduce electricity usage for heating by up to 50% compared to electrical furnaces and baseboard heaters. Over the course of an average year, heat pumps save our clients about 20-70% on their annual heating and cooling bills.

Yes, heat pumps will still work even below freezing, especially modern ones. Good heat pumps will still perform efficiently at 25 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures exceed this, you'll notice performance loss.

While heat pumps are the most cost effective way to use electricity to heat your home during the cooler months, leaving them running day and night is not economically efficient. According to Energywise, you should switch off your heat pump when you don't need it. This is to avoid excessive energy waste.

Do heat pumps run constantly in cold weather?

Why Does My Heat Pump Run Constantly In Winter? Heat pumps are designed to constantly run when winter hits and the weather outside gets cold. As temperatures drop below 30 degrees, your home's heat demand matches the production of the heat pump, requiring it to run continuously to move warm air through the home.

Heat pumps operate most efficiently when holding a steady temperature. Turning a heat pump down when you're away or asleep may actually use more energy than leaving it on. The reason is that it has to work harder to come back to the desired temperature than it does to maintain it.

Typically, a heat pump should cycle two to three times an hour. The heat pump should stay on for 10 to 20 minutes during the cycle. However, during cold outside temperatures (below 30-40 degrees), a heat pump will constantly run to maintain the home temperature.

A heat pump is designed to defrost itself periodically throughout the fall and winter seasons. Therefore, it generally won't spend more than a few minutes or hours covered in frost, ice or snow. By covering a heat pump, you prevent melted ice or snow from draining away from it.

68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.

The heat pump has a defrosting cycle to keep it from freezing. But too much snow and ice can cause problems — blocked vents, broken fan blades and refrigerant leaks. This can lead to heat pump inefficiency and higher energy bills. It can also damage your heat pump.

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter

According to ENERGY STAR, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) when you're home is the ideal balance of comfort and energy efficiency.

Here's how you can tell: It says so on your thermostat: The next time temperatures plummet, take a look at your thermostat. If the display says “AUX,” this means your heat pump is in auxiliary mode.

Emergency Heat Mode Comes with a Red Indicator Light: When you turn your emergency heat on, you will see a red indicator light. This light tells you that your HVAC system is now operating in emergency mode, and it will remain on until you deactivate your emergency heat.

The heat pump should run its defrost cycle automatically, but if it isn't thawing itself then it may need to be manually switched on. Again, not all systems may have an option to manually run the defrost cycle, at least not easily. You will have to do some research on your particular system in order to confirm.

Do all heat pumps have auxiliary heat?

The thing is, not all heat pumps come with auxiliary heat. In some places where the climate is milder, they don't need a backup heat source since their winters don't get too cold. That's why heat pump manufacturers give buyers the option to buy this appliance with or without a backup heat source.

It needs help in the form of auxiliary heat. Usually it is in form of electric, gas or oil with electric the most popular. Auxiliary heat makes up the difference in the heat that a heat pump can produce and the amount that is needed to keep a house warm.

Yes, heat pumps work well with radiators, providing a relatively low flow temperature is used. In many cases, existing radiators are large enough to allow a lower flow temperature, particularly if improvements are being made to the energy efficiency of the building.

Heat pumps are a more energy-efficient, safe, and environmentally-friendly alternative to furnaces that use gas and oil. Because they run on electricity, they don't create the harmful byproducts that come with combustion (burning gas or oil).

Here's how you can tell: It says so on your thermostat: The next time temperatures plummet, take a look at your thermostat. If the display says “AUX,” this means your heat pump is in auxiliary mode.

Emergency Heat Mode Comes with a Red Indicator Light: When you turn your emergency heat on, you will see a red indicator light. This light tells you that your HVAC system is now operating in emergency mode, and it will remain on until you deactivate your emergency heat.

Unlike a gas furnace or boiler, which burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump heats your home by using refrigerant to transfer heat energy from outside to inside. There's enough heat in the outside air to accomplish comfortable home heating, until the temperatures begin to fall below freezing for extended periods.

You can run a heat pump at all temperatures as it is designed to switch to emergency heat when it reaches below 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, there is no need to manually switch an air heat pump off, even in the coldest temperatures, because it was created with efficiency in mind.

As we mentioned above, AUX heat usually costs up to 50% more than heat transfer, which means if your system is running on AUX heat when it shouldn't be, your heating bill is likely going to be a lot higher than you'd like it to be. Our suggestion would be to reach out to a professional as soon as possible.

What Are Auxiliary Heat & Emergency Heat? Auxiliary Heat – This is the secondary heat source that turns on automatically. Emergency Heat – This is when you turn on the secondary heat source.

Can a heat pump heat a whole house?

A whole-house heat pump can provide heating and cooling for your entire home, making it a great choice for those who want an energy-efficient solution.

The average heat output can be 85-92°F; however, how warm the output from your heat pump will be is determined by several factors, including age and condition of the heat pump. Newer heat pumps with R410a refrigerants can extract more heat from the outside air, which improves output.

As a general rule you can expect to fit a radiator two and a half times larger than normal to provide the same heat output.

You can have both a gas furnace and a heat pump in your home in what is known as a hybrid heating system. A hybrid heating system responds to changing temperatures and naturally acclimates to the most productive method of saving energy.

While a heat strip isn't the most efficient choice for long-term heating, it works well for short periods of time. Many heat pumps are connected to a gas, oil, or electric furnace that automatically takes over to continue providing adequate heat, keeping your family warm. This is called a dual-fuel HVAC system.