Should I use emergency heat when it's very cold outside?

No. Modern heat pumps are designed to work in cold temperatures. Emergency heat should only be used when the heat pump itself has failed. Your system automatically engages auxiliary heat when it needs help — you don't need to intervene manually.

How much does emergency heat cost to run?

Roughly two to three times more than your heat pump per hour. Running emergency heat continuously during a cold week in WNC could add $200 to $500 to your electric bill. It's designed for temporary use only.

What's the difference between emergency heat and auxiliary heat?

Auxiliary heat activates automatically alongside your heat pump when extra heating is needed — the heat pump still runs. Emergency heat bypasses the heat pump completely and relies only on the backup strips. Auxiliary is normal; emergency is for heat pump failure only.

Heat Pump Emergency Heat — When to Use It

What does the 'Emergency Heat' setting on your thermostat do? When should you use it? Answers for WNC homeowners.

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Professional Heat Pump Emergency Heat — When to Use It in Asheville & Western NC

What Is Emergency Heat?

Every heat pump thermostat has an "Emergency Heat" or "Em Heat" setting, and most homeowners in Asheville and Western North Carolina have no idea when to use it — or what it actually does. Emergency heat bypasses your heat pump entirely and relies solely on your backup heating system, which is typically electric resistance heat strips built into your air handler. This backup system is less efficient (and more expensive to operate) than your heat pump, which is why it's labeled "emergency" — it's meant for situations where the heat pump itself cannot operate.

When to Switch to Emergency Heat

Use emergency heat only when your heat pump has physically failed and cannot run — for example, if the outdoor unit is damaged, the compressor has failed, or the unit is completely iced over and the defrost cycle isn't working. Emergency heat keeps your home warm while you wait for repair. Do NOT switch to emergency heat just because it's cold outside. Modern heat pumps, especially cold climate models, are designed to heat efficiently even in sub-freezing temperatures. Running on emergency heat when the heat pump is functional wastes enormous amounts of electricity.

The Cost of Running Emergency Heat

Electric resistance heat is roughly three times more expensive to operate than a heat pump per unit of heating. If your heat pump has a COP (coefficient of performance) of 3.0, it produces three units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. Emergency heat strips have a COP of 1.0 — they convert electricity to heat at a 1:1 ratio. Running emergency heat for even a few days during a WNC winter can add $100 to $300 to your electric bill. This is why prompt heat pump repair is critical.

Call Us Instead of Staying on Emergency Heat

If you've had to switch to emergency heat because your heat pump isn't working, call Quality Comfort right away. We provide emergency heat pump repair across Western North Carolina. The sooner we get your heat pump running again, the sooner your energy bills return to normal.