Difference Between Heat and Emergency Heat

Heat vs Emergency Heat

In the usage of a standard heat pump, users often encounter the terms heat and emergency heat. For those who operate such equipments just now, perhaps you should know the difference between the two rather than just operate on the device blindly.

Both systems are actually controlled by the device’s thermostat. The ‘heat’ as in the mainstay setting for a typical heat pump is the one responsible for transferring heat from the outside air to the indoor environment. It is the preferred heating mode and considered to be the foremost heating control setting. Many heat pumps are set within certain thermostats let’s say, 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that heat must be maintained at this level or else another heating system will be activated. Normally, outdoor air is already a rich source for heat in itself. And the use of the heat pump can efficiently supply heating to your home. However, the thermostat of the pump will turn on another heating source for additional heating when the thermostat goes below the set temperature limit.

As mentioned, when the heat pump system can no longer ably transfer heat coming from the outside, another system will work ‘“ the Emergency heat. This heat is regarded as more costly. Also, it is said to be less efficient as opposed to the main or primary heat. Depending on the manufacturer of the heater, emergency heat is sometimes abbreviated as EM heat. Moreover, the mechanism involved in emergency heat is only the electric resistance strips. Either run from space heaters or using strips, electric resistance heat is obviously more expensive for using more electric current. It is a back-up heating setting that makes use of an electric furnace. Aside from being regulated by the thermostat, the EM heat can also be activated manually.

Overall, there are two things that users should not do when handling their heat pumps. One is to avoid setting the equipment to operate always under emergency heat and the other is to avoid raising the thermostat. Just set the thermostat to the temperature you want your home environment to be.

1. Emergency heat is a lot costly than regular heat.

2. Emergency heat is generally considered as the more inefficient heating system most likely attributed to the cost of running a heat pump under this mode.

3. Emergency heat makes use of electric resistance strips while regular heat doesn’t.

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