The Emergency Heat Switch on Heat Pumps—What Is It and How Does It Work?

All heat pumps are outfitted with emergency heat switches. This switch is meant to be managed as its name implies—when there is an emergency. The emergency heat switch will turn on a strip, or strips, of electric heat and turn off the heat pump. When the temperature outside gets below 40 degrees, many Portland residents will flip the switch in order to make it warmer. While this will do the job, we don’t propose you do this. When your system runs in this emergency mode, it can utilize a lot of energy and send your utility costs skyrocketing.

Three Rivers Heating and Cooling recommends only flipping on your emergency heat switch if your heat pump has stopped heating your house. When it’s cold outside and it feels like your heat pump is constantly running, let it do its job. It’s actually much more efficient to let your heat pump run that it would be if your heat pump is working in its emergency mode.

If you’ve found that your heat pump isn’t keeping up with the cooler weather in Portland, it’s wise to give Three Rivers Heating and Cooling a call. Investing in a backup heating system could save you some money in the long run. We can install your backup system to work seamlessly with your heat pump. So, when it’s so cold that your heat pump can’t pull warmer air into your home, your thermostat can instinctively switch on your backup heating system. This method will keep your home warm and cozy on chilly days—and you can save your emergency heat switch for actual heating emergencies.

If you want to hear more about ways you can supplement your heat pump’s heat supply or find out more about how your heat pump functions, call our experts at (503) 739-5400. Our experts are happy to help. If it’s more convenient for you, you can also schedule an appointment with us online using our handy scheduler.