When your heat pump can’t keep up with heating needs, your auxiliary (aux) heat or emergency heat may kick on. This can be incredibly costly, especially if it happens repeatedly throughout the winter. There are several reasons it might occur, including a malfunctioning system and significantly raising your thermostat’s temperature. Understanding how to prevent aux or emergency heat from turning on can help you keep your bills low during winter.
Apply Insulating Window Film
A significant amount of heat loss can happen through windows. Applying an insulating window film can help retain heat, which reduces how hard your heat pump has to work. It’s also a good idea to apply it to any glass in your doors. Keep in mind it’s only meant to use through winter. You should remove it once spring arrives.
Take Steps to Prevent Drafts
Drafts are another reason your heat pump might have to work harder during winter. Use weather-stripping and gap filler to seal any gaps around windows and doors throughout your home. You should also put draft blockers in place to prevent heated air from escaping from underneath doors.
Avoid Significantly Raising Your Thermostat
Raising your thermostat by as little as a few degrees at a time could trigger your aux or emergency heat to go on. If you want to raise the temperature, your best option is to do so gradually.
Use Ceiling Fans
Some homeowners think ceiling fans are just for spring and summer when the warmer temperatures arrive. However, they’re also ideal for helping to keep your home warm and comfortable during winter. During winter, fans should spin clockwise at a low speed. This pushes the warm air that rose to the ceiling back down throughout the room, helping to distribute the heat evenly. Before using it for the season, gently clean the dust off the blades by using a microfiber cloth. This prevents accumulated dust from circulating through the space.
Clean Your Filter
Cleaning your heat pump’s filter is one of the best ways to help it work efficiently. You should do it every few weeks, especially if you have pets in the home. To clean the filter, start by turning the heat pump off completely. Remove the filter and wash off the accumulated debris with water and mild soap. Let it dry thoroughly before putting it back in and turning your unit back on.
Use Window Furnishings Wisely
Blinds and curtains are useful for helping to regulate temperatures in your home throughout winter. Open them during the day to allow sunshine to stream in and warm your home, preventing the need to raise the thermostat. At night, close both the blinds and curtains, which can help retain heat and keep cool air from coming in.
Layer With Clothes and Blankets
Wearing extra clothing indoors during winter and layering on the blankets can help you stay warm through the season. It also decreases the need to increase the thermostat, which can keep utility bills as low as possible.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
When your heat pump works efficiently, it reduces the chances that your aux or emergency heating will go on. It’s one of the reasons why scheduling a professional HVAC inspection every fall is so important. You can also feel confident that your system will help keep you warm throughout winter. Our technicians can assess your heat pump to make sure it’s working properly. We perform a variety of tasks during the appointment, including checking the thermostat and cleaning the components. When we complete the inspection, we’ll inform you of our findings.
Use Your Kitchen Appliances Wisely
If you’re making dinner using your oven, consider leaving your oven door cracked open a little when you’re done. This can help release some of the residual heat throughout the room, which is especially helpful at night as temperatures drop. However, avoid doing this if you have pets and young children, as it poses a serious safety risk. Additionally, you should never use your oven as a heating source.
Don’t let aux and emergency heat usage skyrocket your utility bills this winter. TS Heat & Air in Bethany, OK offers heating inspection, repair, and maintenance services to keep your system in top shape. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
