You are right about the Rite Temp. If you have a heat pump, it is best to increase your heat setting by only two degrees at a time to prevent your auxiliary heat from operating. The Heat Pump cannot handle this temp. Helping You to Do It Yourself! VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. The optimal heat pump temperature range is above 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit. 5. The auxiliary water pump moves hot water or coolant that has recently circulated through the engine block to the heater core. The bill is much higher than last year. Therefore, a heating system stuck in AUX heat will run up an energy bill. heat? But heat pumps also have one huge benefit that furnaces lack: Your 2 ton should be able to do all the heating for a 800 sqare foot house down to 10 degrees or so depending on insulation and windows. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. I have a Honeywell Th8000 series thermostat. Therefore, if it’s below 40 outside and the auxiliary heat isn’t working, then your heat pump will just blow lukewarm or cool air. Replaced the Ritetemp because touch screen went out. on its own. Electricity use is way to high this way. Don't run the stat wire for it near any high voltage wires, it will interfere with the stat. I live in Southern TN and it doesn't get too cold. Marty disconnect W on the outside unit or at the tstat? WHY ISN'T MY HEAT PUMP HEATING OR COOLING PROPERLY? Clean off your heat pump and clear away any debris that may be blocking the way. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The aux (or emergency heat) should come on when the outside unit needs defrosting. The outdoor sensor will only allow me to set it to 40. Closed heat registers can cause other issues, as well. However, aux heat always comes on during normal heat calls. Ideally I would rather the heat strips not come on until absolutely neccessary. They are the most cost-effective option (when compared to other electric heating methods that create original heat), and they can be a great way to optimize your year-round heating and cooling costs. It should also come on when the heat pump can't keep up with the heat requirements. Defrost is basicly the same thing as running the a/c in the summer untill the coil is thawed. If the aux is comming on durring normal operation with the heat pump that normally means the heat pump can not keep up on its own and the aux is adding heat in addition to the pump. In any case, always keep an eye on your auxiliary/strip heat status in the winter. Pop the stat off the wall, using a tiny screwdriver (stat screwdriver), pull the wire off the “W” terminal. I'm trying to figure out how to use the aux heat less. It is so cold. I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (http://www.youtube.com/editor) When there's not enough heat in the outside air to meet the demand of the thermostat setting, an electric heater supplements the outdoor air to warm the home. So the Aux. Elec. No you don't want to remove it from the thermostat. on its own. Heat pumps do run longer and put out less heat as compared to a furnace. 2. EM heat is an option on your thermostat that you can manually turn on to activate backup heating. Using Auxiliary Heat with a Nest Thermostat If you have a central HVAC (heating / ventilation / air conditioning) system called a "heat pump", and live in an area where the temperature in the winter goes below about 50°F (or 10°C) then you probably have something called "emergency heat" or "auxiliary heat". I am not 100% sure but I believe with the pump on. With 2 degrees set it always comes on. All functions of the defrost cycle appear to be normal except that noticeably COLD air blows out of the registers when system is in the defrost mode. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Great. If I had known, I would have asked for gas on the second and third floor for sure!! Most likely a low charge of refrigerant due to a leak. Therefore, if it’s below 40 outside and the auxiliary heat isn’t working, then your heat pump will just blow lukewarm or cool air. 1. JMO. As long as you reset it if your going away for any length of time(weekend, week etc). Plus I can always hook it back up if I think it gets to cold during defrost. Aux Heat mode means that heating is generated by a secondary (i.e. Broken reversing valve: If your heat pump is running, but the air coming out of your vents is hot, it’s likely a problem with your reversing valve. After several minutes the auxiliary heat kicks in even when temps are moderate 30 degrees and above. Once the ice on the heat pump has mostly melted, the heat pump goes back to normal and AUX heat turns off. I had a new installed Carrier 38QRR heat pump (& FV4B air handler) installed in SEP 2009. Awesome info. However, when the pump is not working, due to an electronics failure or the motor of the auxiliary pump being broken, the heater core will not be able to heat … An outdoor thermostat is a cheap option to consider. You can change it from the Nest app or from your thermostat. They come on in the defrost cycle. AUX heat turns on to keep you warm. heat is on. Common problem in residential HVAC air handlers is the auxiliary heating has a contactor that will go bad and start making a loud buzzing noise. Can I just disconnect this and eliminate the aux heat? A Heat Pump System is really not good for a climate like the one you are in. These address the case when you get no heatting at all, not the scenarios where you experience some but not enough heat. Heat pumps can be a great option for any homeowner, pretty much anywhere! Make sure your thermostat is set to heat. As we all know, the aux heat uses about 3 times the power per btu than the heat pump. This is set at a default 35F (1.7C), so the heatpump will not be used when the weather outside is below 35 degrees … If it gets colder outside than the set lockout temperature, your heat pump will use AUX heat. Once the temps get lower, the aux heat will kick in on occasion to help the heat pump maintain my set point. It generally takes 30 minutes for the defroster to do its job, but it needs air flow to do so. If the heat pump cant keep up the aux heat will kick in to aid in reaching desired heat pump. JavaScript is disabled. 10 things you should know about operating a heat pump in winter. That is why both the Heat Pump and the Aux. Auxiliary Heat. When switching your unit to emergency heat, you’re forcing the backup heat system to do all the work. If you find that you continually need additional warmth in your home, contact your local, licensed professional HVAC dealer for a consultation. The first step to fixing your thermostat's heat setting is to press the "Up" arrow and the button which says "Switch to Permanent Hold." I appreciate it. This winter is colder than last year. But if the temperature is above the mid 30’s and it’s still running all the time, you could have a service issue, such as leaking refrigerant, a frozen outdoor unit (as we mentioned in heat pump troubleshooting problem #1), or compressor problem. AUX heat turns on to keep you warm. If the home temperature goes down one, or sometimes two degrees, this causes the thermostat to bring on the auxiliary heat for a very short boost to supplement the heat pump. Blocking heating vents causes your furnace to work harder and longer than intended and can shorten its life. Here are some tips to helping prevent the use of the auxiliary heat function. Right now I do have the t-stat programmed to change throughtout the day. Yes you can run much lower that that. Reply: Anon There is no reason to ever lock out the heat pump. Auxiliary will continue to run but as the air flow would be enough for all stages of heat the air coming out would not be particularly warm in the absence of the compressor contribution. When posting in certain forums, knowing your location will help others give better feedback/advice/solutions to your questions. Aux heat. After several minutes the auxiliary heat kicks in even when temps are moderate 30 degrees and above. Once it gets close to the actual setpoint, the aux heat de-energizes and the heat pump mode of the system remains operating to generate heat and will shut off if the temperature is satisfied. Save yourself money by keeping your thermostat setting on “Heat” during the winter. The aux heat comes on too much and is jacking up my electric bill. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Is there a wire I can remove at the T-stat instead like the Aux wire or ?. So that when you go away, it isn't bringing in the aux heat right away anyways. Be forewarned the air coming out of the registers is going to be COLD in defrost with no tempering. Can hook it up to break aux from the indoor stat so it can't run below x degrees. Once the ice on the heat pump has mostly melted, the heat pump goes back to normal and AUX heat turns off. Note: Normal programmable thermostats have one way to control AUX heat: the AUX lockout temperature. It is really too cold for a heat pump. We are using the Carrier programmable thermostat (66 at night, 70 in morning, 66 when we leave, 70 in the evening). 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. However, aux heat always comes on during normal heat calls. There’s 2 ways to prevent the auxiliary heat from running on that stat. The auxiliary heat is staying on about 80-90% of the time. I think I can get more out of my heat pump than that. auxiliary) heat source rather than by the heat pump. 2. So the Aux. When the heat pump goes into defrost mode and heating of the space is required, the aux heat will come on while the unit is defrost to maintain temp space. Sometimes thermostats will display “auxiliary heat” or “aux heat” on the wall display in your home when this occurs. Our unit has been running non stop the last 10 days and … Once this stops blinking, your thermostat should be able to maintain its heat setting again. So it relies on an auxiliary (AUX) heat coil (like the ones you see in a toaster) or a furnace to heat your home. Then we explore the furnace issues that can also cause no heating at all. After some research here it looks like the 4 degree difference is making the aux heat come on. Your first stage heat is your heat pump. The bill is much higher than last year. Possible Reasons for the Honeywell Thermostat Not Turning On Heat Blocking air increases the air pressure in your air ducts, which may both cause and worsens airflow leaks—particularly at … The auxiliary heat will kick on if the heat pump needs additional heating capacity to meet your set temperature. For the most part, you can stop the auxiliary heat from coming on by making a few lifestyle changes in your daily routine. Your auxiliary heat, as just described, supplements your heat pump’s heat when it needs it. If the heat pump cant keep up the aux heat will kick in to aid in reaching desired heat pump. I prefer Honeywell. heat is on. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Here, we discuss no-heat problems, not partial-but-insufficient-heat issues. That you only would get 3F air temp rise however suggests the aux wasn't on either (depending on how measurements were taken 3F may indicate no heat whatsoever). So 85-92°F feels cold to new heat pump owners. The home temperature raises to a point just short of the thermostat set point and then the auxiliary heat turns off as soon as possible. Your 2 ton should be able to do all the heating for a 800 sqare foot house down to 10 degrees or so depending on insulation and windows. The auxiliary heat is staying on about 80-90% of the time. Ok so 250 and 270 are the same but you can set them for different cycles but they still run the aux. Difference Between Auxiliary Heat and Emergency Heat. Thermostat is working correctly, wondering what component in the compressor unit is controlling the activation of the auxiliary heat. In aux mode, your heat pump will continue to use outside air to warm your home to assist the secondary heat source. Auxiliary heat uses electric resistance heating, which is much less efficient than your heat pump. heat. Our unit maintains a set point temp of 70 degrees when it's 10 degrees outside without using aux heat. Add a few layers to your outfit or sleep with an extra blanket to keep your furnace from working so hard. The problem could be your thermostat settings. Disconnect W on the heat pump. Dead starting components (heat pump) While we're on the subject of heat pumps, let's just acknowledge that all kinds of components can go bad for any number of reasons. Temps right now are around 20 at night and 30-31 during the day. So, your heat pump switches to “AUX heat” when it’s in heating mode—and you’re wondering if it’s normal. This is where your energy efficiency disappears and your high energy bills appear. My aux heat is attached to W on the t-stat. with electric heat you should basicly run unrestricted. You will not bring on the back up in defrost that way. Well, we just received our Hydro bill for two months, and it was a whopping 30% increase compared to last year; $966. The optimal heat pump temperature range is above 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit. I've been having the same issue with my heat pump. If you do need to switch to emergency heat, contact an HVAC professional as soon as possible to get your heat pump working again. rate : is that for the compressor when it is on air conditioning or does that include heat also for heat pump? foot single story home with a 2 ton unit. There's usually at least three wires that send signals coming from the thermostat - one for heat pump heat, one for heat pump cool, and one for the aux heat (strips). Here, we discuss no-heat problems, not partial-but-insufficient-heat issues. Since the aux heat seems to be working but the outside unit is not defrosting, it appears the heat pump has a problem. It is really too cold for a heat pump. This indicates a safety timer has been tripped to protect your thermostat's compressor. 1. After some research here it looks like the 4 degree difference is making the aux heat come on. A Heat Pump System is really not good for a climate like the one you are in. For example, if your AUX lockout temp is 40ºF or 4.4ºC, then AUX heat will come on when the outdoor temperature drops below 40ºF or 4.4ºC. Be forewarned the air coming out of the registers is going to be COLD in defrost with no tempering. Replaced the Ritetemp because touch screen went out. If so what would be the best way to bypass the aux. If you’re troubleshooting the cooling mode, follow the same steps but set the temperature below room temperature instead. Limiting the use of auxiliary heat can be an effective means of saving money. First off, AUX heat refers to your heat pump’s auxiliary (backup) heat source.Auxiliary heat kicks on when your heat pump can’t produce enough heat to warm your home by itself. It is so cold. However, aux heat always comes on during normal heat calls. The Heat Pump cannot handle this temp. Temps right now are around 20 at night and 30-31 during the day. I have an Armana heat pump and a Honeywell RTH2510 stat. I frequently set the Honeywell TH8000 from 58 to 61 degrees at random times and to keep the aux heat from kicking in I have to setup the thermostat up 1 degree at a time. 1. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! I'll set the stat to stick with one temp and see how that works. EM heat is NOT the same thing as AUX heat: AUX heat signifies that your heat pump has automatically switched over to backup heating because temperatures are too low. The bill is much higher than last year. Types of AUX heat (and why it matters) Heat pumps have 2 forms of AUX heat: Electric resistance (default) Gas furnace; The electric resistance option is like the electric coils you see inside your toaster. Types of AUX heat (and why it matters) Heat pumps have 2 forms of AUX heat: Electric resistance (default) Gas furnace; The electric resistance option is like the electric coils you see inside your toaster. The cheap builders at my new home, put a gas furnace in for the first floor (zone 1) , and a heat pump for the second in third floor (zone 2). By the way, what is your opinion on Ritetemp stats? JavaScript is disabled. The heat pump pulls the heat from this cold outdoor air and sends it inside to warm your home. Thanks for the help. I have an 800 sq. I greatly appreciate it. If the heat pump fails you need the Aux heat. EM heat is NOT the same thing as AUX heat: AUX heat signifies that your heat pump has automatically switched over to backup heating because temperatures are too low. When you install the sensor. Our suggestion would … Last year I also had a Rite Temp t-stat that did not use the aux heat nearly as much as the current honewell. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Other auxiliary heat sources such as a fireplace can wreak havoc with a heat pump operation especially if the fireplace is in a line of sight to the … Air filter is dirty: Air filters are put in place to catch dirt and debris, but when too much builds up, it can block airflow to the compressor, the part of the … If it’s 30 degrees outside, it is unreasonable to expect the system to maintain an indoor temperature of 78 without using the heat strips. Thanks. Then we explore the furnace issues that can also cause no heating at all. Check the thermostat is set to heat, and see if the "Heat On" button is blinking. Knowing the difference between your heat pump’s auxiliary heat and emergency heat will help address the question from above. I agree the IAQ is the T-stat I should have. rates have went up. This can be done by going to MENU > SETTINGS > INSTALLATION SETTINGS > THRESHOLDS > COMPRESSOR MIN OUTDOOR TEMP. Last year I also had a Rite Temp t-stat that did not use the aux heat nearly as much as the current honewell. Reach out to us Our customer support is available 7 days a week. heat I would compare usage to last year. We are using the Carrier programmable thermostat (66 at night, 70 in morning, 66 when we leave, 70 in the evening). Thanks. First off, AUX heat refers to your heat pump’s auxiliary (backup) heat source.Auxiliary heat kicks on when your heat pump can’t produce enough heat to warm your home by itself. Check the thermostat is set to heat, and see if the "Heat On" button is blinking. Wku, Before you unhook your aux. The part that gets me worse is that the aux heat comes on to even keep it a 70. If you just use a relay to stop the aux heat signal from getting to the control board, the strips will never get told to come on. Just for some background. They can be set for different cycle rates. Ok thanks. Disconnect W on the heat pump. Although they are one in the same heat strips in the air handler. I went home for a minute and checked the t-stat settings. But heat pumps also have one huge benefit that furnaces lack: I actually got the visionpro 8320 as a gift but at that time I didn't know how sensitive it is and that it wouldn't allow the lower setting of the aux. You can set it to 1 heat 1 cool. If the heat pump fails you need the Aux heat. I'd also connect it to the W3 as I said before. Replaced the Ritetemp because touch screen went out. No aux heat. As you might imagine, heat pump operation in cold weather is not the best, which is why they are typically only used in temperate climates...think beaches, palm trees, and oranges. Setting the lockout temperature is important if you want to minimize the use of AUX heat. Helping You to Do It Yourself! I would really like the IAQ but I can't buy it right now. 4) Auxiliary heat is malfunctioning Below 40 degrees, your heat pump struggles to heat your home.