Why am i using aux heat

nikeman

I noticed that all day today when the heat would kick on the therm would say aux heat pump. I have never noticed that before and I have read that it uses a lot more electricity. Why is it using aux heat? It's not that cold yet so I worry about my power bill this winter.

Doc Holliday

Is the heat pump running as well? Usually after a certain time running without satisfying the thermostat's set point electric kicks in. If your heat pump is not running (properly) than the electric will kick in and yes, resistive heat (electric) is more than 3x's as much as gas heating. The refrigerant in a heat pump you only pay for once and that's yours. Unless of course you have a leak and then you need a repair, possible that's what's happening with yours.

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Thanks.

Doc Holliday

I'm just guessing from behind a computer but it could be any number of things happening. It could be that the heat pump is not running at all, it could be the system is low on refrigerant, it could be that it's stuck in defrost mode, many possibilities.

Probably need to call a service tech out.

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Thanks.

nikeman

I thought about it some more and I think it's probably fine. The heat pump outside is running and on the therm heat pump blinks while AUX doesn't when the heat is running. Their is a little x on the top right of the screen that blinks anytime the air is on (hot or cold) now it just shows heat pump and AUX for heat This is the first time having this digital therm during cold weather so I'm just not used to it I guess.