Emergency heat is a feature of many HVAC systems that provides an additional source of heat in case your primary system fails. It’s great to have as a backup, but it is important to understand the drawbacks of using emergency heat. Let’s take a look at how emergency heat works and some of its potential disadvantages. 

How Emergency Heat Works 

Emergency heat is just what it sounds like—a secondary source of heat that kicks in when your primary heating system fails or needs help keeping up with extremely cold weather. In most cases, this secondary system is powered by electricity and kicks in automatically when the primary unit stops working or cannot keep up with demand. This can be very useful if you live in an area with long, cold winters where a broken furnace could cause serious problems for your home and family.

Keep in mind that Frederick Air is available around the clock – 24/7 to help you if your system stops working. We’ll never leave you out in the cold. If you’re concerned about your system giving out and cannot afford a replacement right now, we strongly recommend becoming a Protection Plan member.

Read More: How Emergency Heat Works and When to Use It

The Disadvantages of Emergency Heat 

Unfortunately, there are several drawbacks to using emergency heat as a supplemental or primary heating method. The first is cost; electricity-based systems tend to be more expensive than other types of heating systems. Emergency heat is meant to be a backup and is not meant to be a long-term solution for heating a home. Another potential issue with emergency heat is that it may not work during a power outage; while some systems offer battery backup capabilities, those batteries will eventually run out if the outage lasts too long. (Of course, in the event of an outage, there are limited options for everybody.)

Conclusion 

In summary, emergency heat can be an invaluable tool for providing extra warmth when needed but homeowners should understand its disadvantages before relying on it as their primary source of heating power. When used properly, emergency heat can provide peace of mind during those cold winter months!

Want to know if your emergency heat will work properly if needed this winter? Book your next maintenance appointment online or give us a call at 301-663-0300. We look forward to seeing you!