Air-source heat pumps usually require auxiliary heat because they are not able to generate sufficient heat when temperatures drop below freezing. Auxiliary heat is a supplemental heat source that kicks in when the outside temperature is below a certain point. It helps to ensure your home stays warm and comfortable during cold weather.
Air-source heat pumps are an efficient and cost-effective way to heat homes and businesses. While air-source heat pumps provide significant energy savings, they can sometimes require supplemental or ‘auxiliary’ heating during extreme cold weather. In this article, we discuss why air-source heat pumps usually require auxiliary heat and how you can use it to stay warm while saving energy.
Why Do Air-source Heat Pumps Usually Require Auxiliary Heat?
What is an Air-Source Heat Pump?
An air-source heat pump is a type of heating and cooling system that uses the air outside of a home to heat and cool the interior. The system works by transferring the heat from outside air into the home. The heat pump then circulates the heated air throughout the home. Air-source heat pumps are an efficient, cost-effective way to heat and cool a home.
The system uses a refrigerant to move the heat from outside to inside the house. The refrigerant absorbs heat from outside and transfers it to the indoor air, where it is released. This process is then reversed in the summer when the heat pump cools the air inside the house.
The air-source heat pump is powered by electricity, unlike other heating and cooling systems that use combustion fuels, such as natural gas or propane. This makes it an environmentally friendly choice, as it does not produce any emissions.
What is Auxiliary Heat?
Auxiliary heat is a supplemental heating system that is used to provide additional heat when the air-source heat pump is not able to provide enough heat. Auxiliary heat is typically used when the outdoor temperature is too cold for the air-source heat pump to work efficiently. Auxiliary heat can be provided by either electric resistance heating or a gas-fired furnace.
Electric resistance heating is the most common type of auxiliary heat. Electric resistance heating uses electricity to generate heat, much like an electric stovetop. This type of auxiliary heat is often used in combination with an air-source heat pump, as it is efficient and relatively inexpensive.
Gas-fired furnaces are another type of auxiliary heat. These furnaces use natural gas or propane to generate heat and are typically more expensive to operate than electric resistance heating. They are also more efficient than electric resistance heating at higher temperatures, making them a good choice for colder climates.
Why Do Air-Source Heat Pumps Usually Require Auxiliary Heat?
The air-source heat pump is designed to be most efficient when the outdoor temperature is between 40-60ºF. When the temperature drops below 40ºF, the air-source heat pump becomes less efficient at transferring heat from the outside air to the indoor air. This is why an auxiliary heating system is often needed in colder climates.
In addition, the air-source heat pump can only provide a limited amount of heat. If the temperature outside is very cold, the air-source heat pump may not be able to provide enough heat to keep the home warm. This is why an auxiliary heating system is often needed to provide additional heat.
What Are the Benefits of Using Auxiliary Heat?
Auxiliary heat is an efficient way to supplement the air-source heat pump when the outdoor temperature is too cold. It can help the air-source heat pump to provide more heat and keep the home warm even when the temperature outside is very cold.
In addition, auxiliary heat can be more efficient than the air-source heat pump at higher temperatures. This makes it a good choice for colder climates, where the air-source heat pump may not be able to provide enough heat.
What are the Disadvantages of Using Auxiliary Heat?
The main disadvantage of using auxiliary heat is that it can be more expensive to operate than an air-source heat pump. Electric resistance heating is often the least expensive option, but it is still usually more costly than an air-source heat pump. Gas-fired furnaces are even more expensive, as they require a fuel source to operate.
In addition, auxiliary heat can be less efficient than an air-source heat pump. Electric resistance heating can be less efficient than an air-source heat pump at lower temperatures, and gas-fired furnaces can be even less efficient. This means that you may end up paying more for your heating costs if you rely too heavily on auxiliary heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an air-source heat pump?
An air-source heat pump is a type of heating and cooling system that uses the outside air as a source of heat. It works by extracting heat from the air and transferring it into the building, either for heating or cooling. Heat pumps are usually more energy-efficient than conventional heating and cooling systems, as they use less energy to move the same amount of heat.
What is Auxiliary Heat?
Auxiliary heat is an additional source of heat used to supplement the heat produced by an air-source heat pump. It is typically used when the temperature outside falls below a certain level, as the air-source heat pump is not able to produce enough heat on its own. Auxiliary heat can be provided by a furnace, electric resistance heaters, or other supplemental heating sources.
Why Do Air-source Heat Pumps Usually Require Auxiliary Heat?
Air-source heat pumps are most efficient when the temperature outside is mild. When the temperature drops below a certain point, the air-source heat pump is no longer able to extract enough heat from the outside air to meet the heating demands of the building. At this point, auxiliary heat is required to supplement the heat being produced by the air-source heat pump.
What Temperature Do Air-source Heat Pumps Usually Require Auxiliary Heat?
The temperature at which an air-source heat pump requires auxiliary heat to supplement the heat being produced by the system varies depending on the type of system and the size of the building. Generally, auxiliary heat is usually required when the outside temperature drops below 35°F.
What Are the Benefits of Using Auxiliary Heat with an Air-source Heat Pump?
Using auxiliary heat with an air-source heat pump can provide several benefits. It can help to reduce the amount of energy used to heat the building, as the system is able to use less energy to produce the same amount of heat. Additionally, it can provide a more consistent level of comfort, as the auxiliary heat helps to maintain a steady temperature even when the outside temperature drops.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Using Auxiliary Heat with an Air-source Heat Pump?
The main drawback of using auxiliary heat with an air-source heat pump is that it can be more expensive to operate than using the air-source heat pump alone. Auxiliary heat uses additional energy, which can increase the amount of energy being used by the system and lead to higher energy bills. Additionally, auxiliary heat sources such as electric resistance heaters can be less efficient than the air-source heat pump, leading to even higher energy bills.
Heat Pump Notification of AUXILIARY HEAT
In conclusion, air-source heat pumps require auxiliary heat due to their inability to generate enough heat to maintain a comfortable temperature during extreme temperatures. Auxiliary heat helps to supplement the heat produced by the pump, thus ensuring the desired temperature is reached and maintained throughout the day. This makes air-source heat pumps a great choice for homeowners looking to reduce their energy costs and yet still enjoy a comfortable living space.
