During the winter months, your heating system works harder to keep your home comfortable. If you notice higher energy, use this time of year, your **heat pump’s auxiliary heat; commonly known as heat strips; may be playing a role.
Heat strips are an important part of your system but knowing when and how they operate can help you use energy more efficiently and manage your electric bill.
What Are Heat Strips?
Heat strips are the backup heating element in a heat pump system. They automatically turn on during extremely cold temperatures or when your system needs extra help; such as during a defrost cycle.
Because heat strips generate heat using electricity alone, they use more energy than your heat pump’s normal operation. One common trigger is raising your thermostat too quickly.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
If you lower your thermostat overnight or while you’re away, it’s best to raise it gradually when you return; no more than two degrees at a time. Sudden temperature increases can cause your system to switch to auxiliary heat, increasing energy use.
Let a Programmable Thermostat Do the Work
A programmable or smart thermostat helps manage temperature changes automatically, allowing your system to warm your home efficiently without unnecessary use of heat strips. This is one of the easiest ways to improve comfort while keeping energy use in check.
Understanding the Cost
Under typical conditions, a heat pump costs about 30–35 cents per hour to operate. When heat strips are activated, that cost can increase to around $1.30 per hour.
If your system frequently runs in auxiliary mode during milder winter weather, it may be worth having a licensed HVAC professional check your system to ensure its operating properly.
Simple Steps to Save This Winter
While we can’t control winter weather, we can control how we use energy at home.
- Adjusting thermostat settings gradually
- Avoiding unnecessary use of auxiliary heat
- Using a programmable thermostat
You can help your heating system run more efficiently and manage winter energy costs. For more energy-saving tips and resources, visit the Energy Wise section at joemc.com.