As the cooler months approach and the temperature begins to drop, staying warm and cozy in your home is a top priority. Understanding the type of heating system you have is key to ensuring your home stays warm throughout the winter months. Whether it’s a gas, electric, oil furnace, or an electric heat pump, it’s important to understand what system you have and how to operate it to its highest efficiency.
What type of heating system do I have?
- If your thermostat has an emergency/auxiliary heat option, you most likely have a heat pump as your primary heating source, with an electric or gas supplemental heat source.
- If your thermostat does not have an emergency/auxiliary heat selection, you have a gas, oil, or electric furnace as your primary heating source for your home.
If you determine your primary heating source is a heat pump, make sure your thermostat is in heat mode. If you need to adjust the temperature, do so in two-degree increments or less. Raising the thermostat more than two degrees above the desired temperature will activate the emergency heat, resulting in a significant increase in your energy consumption.
The emergency heat should only run when the heat pump goes into a defrost cycle, when the outside temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the heat pump cycles to defrost, it will rely solely on the emergency/auxiliary heat to maintain the home’s thermostat setting.
If you notice your emergency/auxiliary heat is operating and the outside temperature does not justify it, verify your thermostat setting (heat mode only). If your settings are correct, then contact a professional HVAC company to inspect your unit.
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