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Message
Thermostat?
Posted on 1/14/26 at 7:36 am
Posted on 1/14/26 at 7:36 am
I hate the thermostat that I have for my heat pump system. If I raise the temperature 2 degrees it kicks on the heat strips. So I have been doing it 1 degree at a time. Do all thermostats work like this? If not what is a good replacement?
Plus the thermostat is in the front hall away from the main part of the house (living room and master bedroom). Most of the time the temp at the thermostat is 2 degrees lower or higher than the main part of the house. Moving the thermostat will be very hard to do.
Plus the thermostat is in the front hall away from the main part of the house (living room and master bedroom). Most of the time the temp at the thermostat is 2 degrees lower or higher than the main part of the house. Moving the thermostat will be very hard to do.
7
Posted on 1/14/26 at 9:06 am to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
quote:
If I raise the temperature 2 degrees it kicks on the heat strips. So I have been doing it 1 degree at a time. Do all thermostats work like this?
It has been years since I had a heat pump but mine did not work like this.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 11:14 am to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
Thermostats are usually located in close proximity to the return air plenums (grills), often located in hallways for aesthetics, I suspect that’s your case.
No, something isn’t right with the thermostat or the way it’s wired, or the programming that would kick on the heat strips with a 1 degree decrease in temperature setting.
To even out temperatures in the house look into a new thermostat like the Honeywell T9 or T10 models that have multiple sensors that you can purchase and place in various rooms that will feed back to the main thermostat and try to average out temperature in the house.
No, something isn’t right with the thermostat or the way it’s wired, or the programming that would kick on the heat strips with a 1 degree decrease in temperature setting.
To even out temperatures in the house look into a new thermostat like the Honeywell T9 or T10 models that have multiple sensors that you can purchase and place in various rooms that will feed back to the main thermostat and try to average out temperature in the house.
This post was edited on 1/15/26 at 9:53 am
Posted on 1/14/26 at 1:58 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
Every heat pump I have had, you had to manually turn on the heating strips by a switch that said something like “emergency heat”….
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:32 pm to Spankum
quote:
Every heat pump I have had, you had to manually turn on the heating strips by a switch that said something like “emergency heat”….
I have that button also. The first year in the house I had to use this when the temperatures got down into the teens and the heat pump could not keep up. In my opinion a heat pump should not be used where I live at. Since then I built a home entertainment center with a propane fireplace in it. I use it now instead of using the heat strips.
When I raise the temperature 1 degree it goes to stage 1. If I got up 2 degrees it goes to stage 2. I turn my heat down to 76 at night and when I get up Ilike to raise it up to 70. I have to do this in steps to keep from turning on the higher cost heat strips.
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 1/14/26 at 2:45 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
I use a Nest. I really like it. Can control it from my phone. But better I can program what temps i want at what time for the week. Also you set your heater temp and your AC temp. So i have mine right now at 68 heat and 73 AC. Was pricey but well worth it.
Posted on 1/14/26 at 3:00 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
my honeywell has 3 modes when the heat is running:
- heat
- auxillary heat
- emergency heat
sometimes when i've had the heat down to like 60 and crank it to 68 the 'auxillary heat' will come on for a couple of hours which isn't the same as emergency, its just a boost to help get your heat pump up initially.
eta i have a newer heat pump (4ton) less than 3 years old and it will handle temps all the way down to 0 without kicking on the emergency heat which is nice. my old one used to crap out around 32 degrees.
- heat
- auxillary heat
- emergency heat
sometimes when i've had the heat down to like 60 and crank it to 68 the 'auxillary heat' will come on for a couple of hours which isn't the same as emergency, its just a boost to help get your heat pump up initially.
eta i have a newer heat pump (4ton) less than 3 years old and it will handle temps all the way down to 0 without kicking on the emergency heat which is nice. my old one used to crap out around 32 degrees.
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 3:02 pm
Posted on 1/14/26 at 3:04 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
here you go
Key Differences
Key Differences
quote:
Auxiliary Heat (Aux Heat):
Automatic — Your thermostat turns it on as needed (no manual switch required).
Purpose: Supplements the heat pump when it can't keep up alone.
Common triggers:
Very cold weather (heat pump efficiency drops).
Large temperature gap (e.g., you raise the setpoint by several degrees).
During the heat pump's defrost cycle (it reverses to melt ice on the outdoor coils, temporarily needing backup heat).
How it works: The heat pump stays on as the primary source, but auxiliary heat kicks in to help reach/maintain your setpoint faster. Once the home is close to the desired temperature (often within 2–3°F), aux heat turns off automatically.
Efficiency: Uses more energy than the heat pump alone (electric strips are expensive to run), but it's temporary and normal in winter.
When you see it: "Aux Heat" or "Aux Heat On" on your thermostat display — no cause for alarm unless it runs constantly in mild weather.
quote:
Emergency Heat (Em Heat):
Manual — You flip the thermostat switch to "Emergency Heat" (bypasses the heat pump entirely).
Purpose: True backup mode when the heat pump fails, is broken, or isn't working (e.g., compressor issue, power problem to outdoor unit).
How it works: Shuts off the heat pump compressor and runs only the backup heat source (electric strips or furnace). It becomes the sole heating system until you switch back or get repairs.
Efficiency: Very high energy use — avoid unless necessary, as it's costly and not designed for long-term heating.
When to use it: Only in an emergency (e.g., heat pump won't run, waiting for a technician). Turn it off once fixed and call for service.
This post was edited on 1/14/26 at 3:07 pm
Posted on 1/14/26 at 6:00 pm to RetiredSaintsLsuFan
quote:
Moving the thermostat will be very hard to do.
It's actually not hard to do. I did it in my last house, where it was facing windows that were exposed to the South (sun constantly.) It's moving essentially one wire.
Get the remote temp sensors as others have suggested. But, realize that the thermostat is also trying to save your HVAC system by not kicking it on when it drops .5 degrees below what you set. It'll cool or heat a bit more than necessary in order to cut down on the number of activation cycles it has to start up. This saves you wear and tear. Adjusting 1 degree at a time tells me you're a little bit high maintenance.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 5:36 am to Spankum
quote:
Every heat pump I have had, you had to manually turn on the heating strips by a switch that said something like “emergency heat”….
There can be two sets of heating coils: auxiliary heat and emergency heat.
The auxiliary coils are the ones your unit uses automatically if the heat pump can't keep up because of the outdoor temperature.
The emergency coils are usually manually turned on.
Not all heat pumps have emergency heat coils. I have never seen one that does not have auxiliary coils, but I am not an AC tech, just going by those I have seen or owned.
Posted on 1/15/26 at 5:44 am to CAD703X
Beat me to it, and a much better explanation. 
Posted on 1/15/26 at 5:53 am to CAD703X
quote:
i have a newer heat pump (4ton) less than 3 years old and it will handle temps all the way down to 0 without kicking on the emergency heat which is nice. my old one used to crap out around 32 degrees.
Modern units are much better at handling lower outdoor temperatures. I think I recall aux coils starting to kick in around 40 degrees.
For a short time, back in the 80s, there was a lot of discussion about using water source heat pumps rather than the usual air source units. Because the water temperature is always at or about the temperature underground, there should be no need for auxiliary heat. The concept is intriging but installation can be expensive.
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