Blogs

What Is Emergency Heat On a Thermostat

Thermostats have a unique placing labeled “EM heat.” But what’s it? Many people falsely assuming it`s a placing which will turn on for the duration of freezing temperatures. However, this isn`t true. “EM” stands for emergency, and this secondary heating gadget is a back-as much as preserve your property heat while your number one heat fails. So, you don`t need to head switching it on with out understanding what you`re doing.  

No count number the circumstance, you ought to recognize your home appliances settings earlier than you mess with them. That`s why 75 Degree AC created this manual on EM Heat, so that you recognize the proper manner to apply a heat pump in your home.

What is EM Heat? 

What is EM heat on thermostat settings? Short for “emergency heat,” it’s far a placing that controls your private home`s back-up heating gadget. If you’ve got an emergency heat thermostat placing, you probable have a heat pump, in addition to a gas, oil, electric, or hot-water back-up gadget.  

Most structures have a heat pump as its number one placing and set off their secondary (gas, oil, or electric) heating whilst supplemental, or second-stage, heating is required. In less warm climates (beneath 35° Fahrenheit), all heat pumps want a secondary heating supply due to the fact your heater faucets into this placing whilst outdoor temperatures drop too low. 

However, if you switch to your EM heat manually, you start drawing warmth most effective from the secondary supply. Now, rather than operating together along with your major heat pump, your backup is operating solo. This is manner much less green than your number one heating gadget, so that you ought to most effective use it in actual emergencies until you need to pay exorbitant heating bills.

Read more the Can Nest Thermostat Replace Heating and Air Conditioning

How EM Heat Works

A detailed cross-section diagram showing how EM heat works by bypassing the primary outdoor heat pump unit to engage indoor electric heating coils directly.
A visual breakdown of emergency heat activation: the system bypasses the outdoor heat pump to rely entirely on indoor electric heating elements.

Thermostats which have an EM Heat or Aux Heat putting normally depend upon a heat pump for the number one heating of the house. Heat pumps perform with the aid of using extracting warmness from the outside and pulling it into the house, however whilst temperatures drop, the air will become too bloodless for this to be an powerful approach of heating the house. At this point, the secondary heat source, like a fueloline furnace or electric powered heat strip, is activated to offer heat to the house. 

EM Heat or Aux Heat also can be mechanically activated while the inner temperature is three tiers or extra beneath the Thermostat Repair and Installation in Houston. If you arrive domestic and lift the temperature at the thermostat numerous tiers, EM Heat or Aux Heat can be activated to attain the favored temperature extra quickly. 

Normally, the 2 system operate in tandem for the duration of the coldest months of the 12 months and whilst the temperatures out of doors start to heat up, the heat pump on my own is sufficient to preserve the house comfortable. 

However, while the EM Heat mode is activated, the heat pump is largely became off. In this mode, simplest the secondary heating device can offer heat to the house, ensuing in higher payments and much less green heating because, rather than heating the house with a number one and secondary device, you’re now depending completely at the secondary device.

When Should I Use Emergency Heat? 

Sometimes it`s difficult to recognize if you have a heating emergency. Since this heating gadget is simplest used sparingly, it`s vital to recognize what constitutes a want for an emergency indoor heater.

Examples of Emergencies

  1. You have a malfunctioning heat pump: If your heat pump stops operating completely, it`s time to show to your emergency heat so you don`t freeze with inside the house! It`s vital to get the trouble constant quickly, though, when you consider that the use of emergency heat is expensive.
  2. Freezing Outdoor Temperatures: Sometimes, if the climate out of doors drops a long way under freezing temperature you could want to apply emergency heat. The normal heat pump will battle to preserve up and turning at the emergency heat will assist hold heat temperatures.
  3. Conditions Where Your Heat Pump Ices Over: It`s viable for the heat pump to ice over while it`s certainly bloodless out of doors. If this takes place and it does now no longer defrost itself as usual, you have to flip off the normal warmth proper away and use emergency warmth till the ice melts or you could call an HVAC technician.

Did You Accidentally Turn On Your Thermostat`s EM Heat? 

If you by chance grew to become to your emergency heat, that`s no reason for alarm! You have no longer performed something to harm your heating gadget. But, in case you do now no longer have a heating emergency you have to flip it off as quickly as you could to shop on power costs. It is really well worth robotically checking to ensure you do now no longer have your emergency warmth on via way of means of accident, main to a rather excessive power bill.

Why EM Heat Should Only Be Used in Emergencies 

The motive that the EM Heat placing effects withinside the heating device running much less correctly is that the number one device honestly is predicated at the secondary or auxiliary heating device to assist enhance heat manufacturing whilst the temperature is underneath 35°F. However, while the thermostat is ready to EM Heat, the number one device is bypassed entirely, so as a substitute of getting each structures running in tandem to generate extra heat, you’re handiest capable of use the secondary heating device.

The heating and cooling device normally has a heat pump as a number one technique of heating the house and could use a fueloline furnace or electric powered heat strip to offer auxiliary heat while it`s vital to reinforce the device. If the heat pump fails, then switching over to EM Heat permits the house to maintain generating heat, however this operation will increase the fee of heating and takes a toll at the heating and cooling device, so it is encouraged to touch an authorized HVAC employer as quickly as viable to repair the problem.

Call to action  

Need assist with a heat pump or heating trouble? Contact 75 Degree AC for expert HVAC diagnosis, repair, maintenance, and heating services. Our crew allow you to apprehend your machine, pick out the purpose of heating problems, and repair reliable consolation to your home.

Conclusion 

Understanding what’s emergency heat on a thermostat allow you to use your heat pump successfully and keep away from needless electricity expenses. Emergency Heat is a backup mode designed to offer warm temperature whilst your number one heat pump can not perform. It isn’t the same as auxiliary heat, which commonly turns on robotically while the heat pump wishes extra heating capacity. 

If your thermostat presentations EM Heat all of sudden otherwise you discover your self counting on the emergency heat setting, it is able to be a signal that your heat pump wishes expert attention. Using Emergency Heat quickly can maintain your own home comfortable, however repairing the underlying trouble is the quality long-time period solution. 

FAQs

What is emergency heat on a thermostat?

Emergency Heat is a backup heating mode designed for warmth pump structures. It manually switches the house to a secondary warmth supply whilst the number one heat pump can not perform properly. 

What is EM heat on thermostat?

EM Heat is actually an abbreviation for Emergency Heat. It tells a well suited heat pump machine to apply its backup heating supply in preference to the heat pump for heating. 

What does emergency heat do?

Emergency Heat turns on your machine`s backup heating supply and commonly prevents the warmth pump from working because the number one heating supply.

What is the distinction among AUX Heat and EM Heat?

AUX Heat commonly turns on robotically to complement a heat pump while extra heating is needed. EM Heat is manually decided on while the heat pump itself is unavailable or malfunctioning.

Should I depart my thermostat on Emergency Heat?

Generally, no. Emergency Heat must commonly be used quickly while the heat pump can not perform. Once the heat pump has been repaired, go back the thermostat to its everyday Heat setting.

Does Emergency Heat use greater strength?

It can many heat pumps use electric powered resistance heating as their backup supply, which could eat drastically greater strength than everyday heat pump operation.

Can I use Emergency Heat all winter?

You can technically perform many structures the usage of their backup heat supply, however it is also now no longer encouraged until the warmth pump is unavailable. Long-time period use may also bring about better electricity expenses and suggests that the number one heating machine must be inspected.

Steven Hold

Steven Hold is a landscape design expert with 49+ years of experience delivering exceptional residential and commercial projects across the San Jose Bay Area. As the lead designer at Lakota Design Group, he specializes in blending traditional craftsmanship with modern 3D design techniques to create outdoor spaces that are both stunning and built to last. Through his writing, Steven shares decades of real-world expertise in landscape construction, turf, lighting, and sustainable outdoor living.

Previous Post
Next Post
At 75 Degree AC, we provide dependable HVAC services for residential and light commercial properties throughout Houston, TX.Our experienced technicians focus on accurate diagnostics, quality workmanship, and long-term system performance
Get In Touch

© 2026 75 Degree AC. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service