Is Your Thermostat Showing EM Heat or Emer Heat? Learn What It Means, How Emergency Heat Works, and When It’s Necessary from Filterbuy HVAC Solutions

The comfort in your home changes suddenly and disrupts your whole day. We’ve all experienced this. Your neighbors right here in Florida know how fast small issues turn into big problems. This is due to our heat, humidity and pollen. Experienced local experts you trust truly matter.

This article provides the facts you need to understand the emergency heat setting, avoid high energy costs, and know exactly when to call for professional service.

Top Takeaways

• EM Heat is a high cost backup heating mode for your heat pump.
• Use the EM setting only if your heat pump is completely broken or frozen.
• It works by bypassing the heat pump and activating expensive electric heating coils.
• Using emergency heat for too long wastes money and energy.
• Call a professional technician from Filterbuy HVAC Solutions to repair the problem.

What Does EM Heat Mean on a Thermostat?

The setting labeled EM Heat (or Emer Heat) is a safety feature on systems that use a heat pump.

This setting accesses a secondary, or backup, heat source (usually electric) when the heat pump cannot do its primary job. It is not for daily use.

It pulls warmth from the outside air. The EM setting kicks in only because the primary system has failed. This failure is due to a broken or frozen unit or to extremely low outside temperatures.

Action: See the EM heat meaning on your thermostat? Turn it on only until you can call for service.

How Emergency Heat Works

Most heat pump thermostats have a setting for aux heat on thermostat (Auxiliary Heat) and EM Heat. They are different:

• Auxiliary Heat: This turns on automatically to help the heat pump when it needs a small boost. The heat pump is still running. This is a normal part of the heating cycle.
• Emergency Heat (EM Heat): This is a manual setting. It tells the system to stop using the heat pump entirely. It also relies solely on the backup heat source. It uses high energy electric resistance coils. This process provides temporary heat

You are telling your heat pump to stop trying to work and instead use a power hungry electric furnace.

When to Use EM Heat

You need to use the EM setting on thermostat only in these situations:

• Your heat pump is producing no heat at all.
• The outdoor unit is covered in ice and is not running.
• You need to stay warm while your system waits for a repair from a qualified professional.

Is the emergency heat not working? You have a much bigger problem. Call for service immediately.

Using the EM setting when your system is working fine is a mistake. Make sure you understand your heat pump thermostat settings to avoid costly errors.

EM Heat Cost

EM Heat uses electric resistance. It requires much more power than your standard heat pump. This translates to two things:

• Higher Energy Consumption: Heating and cooling account for over half of your home’s energy use (EIA.gov).
• Higher Bills: Running EM Heat for a few days significantly increases your heating costs.

The difference in power draw is substantial. Filterbuy HVAC Solutions always advises neighbors: call immediately if you have to use the EM heat setting. A simple repair restores the system to its high-efficiency operation.

Did you know? Nearly 50% of a typical household’s annual energy costs go to heating and cooling (EIA.gov). Simple actions, like correcting the reason for emergency heat, help cut monthly expenses.

Essential Resources

You need all the facts about your system. Here are reliable resources helpful for homeowners:

• Basic Guide to the EM Setting (House Digest) If you are just trying to understand the EM or EMER setting on your thermostat, this resource explains the basics in plain language.
• How to Safely Use Emergency Heat (ThermostatNeed) If you see EM Heat flashing, this resource walks you through what to do next. It explains activation and troubleshooting.
• Tips to Avoid Costly EM Heat Mistakes (HeaterGuides) Homeowners accidentally get high energy bills by running EM Heat too long. This guide offers clear dos and don’ts to protect your wallet
• Energy Trade-offs of Emergency Heat (The Spruce) Emergency heat is a lifesaver, but it uses far more energy than your heat pump. This resource helps you understand the energy tradeoff for informed decisions about home comfort.

Choose Filterbuy HVAC Solutions for Your Long Term Comfort

Your heat pump breaking down requires a fast, honest, and expert solution. Filterbuy HVAC Solutions provides the right fix and the long-term peace of mind you deserve.

Local Experts, Pricing and Solutions

Filterbuy HVAC Solutions is committed to serving Southeast Florida neighbors. We know the specific needs of the local weather. Certified technicians have the skills and experience to service all types of AC units. They use the right tools and follow safety rules. They make sure the system works as it should. This gives you better air and peace of mind.

Filterbuy HVAC Solutions believes in transparency and honesty when it comes to pricing. We offer upfront, guaranteed pricing on all tune-up and inspection services. There are no hidden fees or unexpected costs. We provide clear communication. We offer quality service that meets your expectations.

Our work fixes the root cause of your problem:

• Expert Diagnosis: We provide the quick, expert diagnosis needed to correct the mechanical issue that led to your system failure.
• Health and Efficiency: We know Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors. Air is 2–5x (or up to 100x) more polluted than outside (EPA.gov). Fixing your system protects not just your wallet. But your family’s health and comfort.

Ready to stop wasting energy and get your efficient heat pump working again?

Book an HVAC Inspection with a Filterbuy HVAC Solutions technician today. We evaluate your system and check its performance. We also deliver a personalized plan with clear and guaranteed pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EM Heat on my thermostat?

EM Heat means your system is using backup heat. What is EMh on a thermostat or what is EMer on thermostat refers to this high-cost secondary heat source. The key thing to remember is what EM heat means is temporary emergency warmth.

When should I use the Emergency Heat setting?

You should only switch on emergency heat if your main heat pump unit has stopped providing any heat at all. Use it only as a temporary backup to stay comfortable. If the heat pump doesn’t restart or if EM Heat stays on, call a professional for service.

How does Emergency Heat cost more to run?

Emergency Heat is more expensive because it uses high-energy electric coils instead of your heat pump. How does emergency heat work? It bypasses the unit designed for the most efficient way to use heat pump. It delivers fast heat, but it is not built for long-term use. Running it too long leads to much higher utility bills.

Does EM Heat turn on by itself?

Yes, in many systems, the system switches automatically to Emergency Heat in very cold weather. This is your system protecting your comfort. It is not always a sign of a major problem. If you think you accidentally turned on emergency heat, check your setting.

Does the EM setting mean my heat pump is broken?

Not always. Sometimes the weather is simply too cold for the heat pump to work efficiently, so it requires backup. If EMer on a thermostat or what is EMer on thermostat stays active during mild weather, have the system checked by a technician. If you need to know the difference, research auxiliary heat vs emergency heat.

Do mini splits have emergency heat?

Mini splits usually have electric resistance heat strips that act as backup heat. This works similarly to emergency heat in a standard system. To confirm if your unit has this feature, check the manual. Information on domini splits have emergency heat is usually in the installation guide.

What is the difference between EM Heat and Auxiliary Heat?

Auxiliary heat vs emergency heat is simple. Auxiliary Heat turns on automatically to assist the heat pump on cold days; the heat pump is still running. What is EM heat mode is a manual setting that tells the system to completely shut down the heat pump and run only the high-cost electric backup.

How much does it cost to replace a heating and air conditioning system?

The cost to replace a heating and air conditioning system varies greatly. System size, efficiency rating, and installation complexity all affect the price. Get multiple quotes from local experts like Filterbuy HVAC Solutions for an accurate estimate.