Why Does My Honeywell thermostat say aux heat
Lily Fisher
Published Feb 24, 2026
The “AUX Heat” mode is usually an indicator that it’s freezing outside, and your is heat pump is using a secondary backup heat source – your auxiliary heat—to keep your home at your set temperature. …
Why Does My Honeywell thermostat say aux heat? - Google Search
One of the simplest things you can do to keep your Honeywell thermostat from switching to auxiliary heat is to lower the temperature in your home. Setting the thermostat for somewhere between sixty to sixty-eight degrees is all you should need to do to get the problem under control.
Is it bad if auxiliary heat comes on?
Is AUX heat bad? The short answer is no. In fact, aux heat is a critical mechanism that keeps your heat pump properly running when the outdoor temperature drops. Since this type of unit doesn’t work the same as a furnace, it can get cold.
Why is my Honeywell thermostat showing auxiliary heat?
When you see the “aux” heat indicator on your thermostat it means your heat pump needed some help reaching the desired temperature. It turns on automatically when the temperature falls about two degrees below the desired setting and turns off automatically when the target temperature is reached.Why does my thermostat keep going to auxiliary heat?
What Does It Mean on My Thermostat? If your aux heat indicator is on, it means your heat pump needs a little help reaching its target temperature setting. Aux heat comes from the same heat source as emergency heat, but aux heat works together with your heat pump, so it’s less expensive than emergency heat.
What is the AUX wire on a thermostat?
Some HVAC systems support auxiliary heat (AUX) as well as emergency heat (E). … A thermostat senses this and automatically turns on electric heat strips to provide the additional heat needed. Some thermostats have an E wire. The E wire controls emergency heating.
How often should AUX heat come on?
When should my auxiliary heat come on? When outside temperatures drop below 40 degrees. While undergoing the defrost cycle. When there is a 3 degree difference or more in the current temperature in your home and the thermostat setting.
Is AUX heat and emergency heat the same?
Auxiliary heating turns on automatically to help heat your home more quickly if the temperature drops suddenly. The emergency heat setting has to be manually switched on and should only be used in temperatures below 30 degrees.How long should auxiliary heat run?
Aux Heat Minimum On Time By default, this time is set to five minutes. This means, if your aux heat is called upon and canceled immediately, it will still run for five minutes before shutting down. If you change the threshold settings, you can configure the minimum on time and save on electricity or heating oil.
Why is my auxiliary heat blowing cold air?Heat Pumps They also use auxiliary heat strips if the outside temperature is extremely cold. If these strips malfunction, the heat pump will blow cold air. … If the level is low, the heat pump cannot transfer heat efficiently. A professional should check the heat strips and refrigerant level.
Article first time published onWhy is my heat blowing cold air?
Your furnace may be blowing cold air because the filter is too dirty. A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace’s heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. When overheating, your furnace can trip a high limit switch, causing the furnace burners to shut off so that the heat exchanger does not crack.
Does auxiliary heat use more electricity?
Auxiliary heat uses electric resistance heating, which is much less efficient than your heat pump. Therefore, a heating system stuck in AUX heat will run up an energy bill. If you have a heat pump, it is best to increase your heat setting by only two degrees at a time to prevent your auxiliary heat from operating.
How do I know if my heat pump is defrosting?
You will know the unit is in defrost mode when the indoor fan stops, the unit will stop heating, and an indicator light may blink. The outdoor fan will also stop and the compressor will continue running.
How do I turn off auxiliary heat on my nest?
- Open your Google Home app.
- Select the Nest thermostat.
- Click “Settings”, “thermostat”, then “Emergency Heat.”
- Select “OFF.”
What color wire is auxiliary heat?
Heat pumps include staging for auxiliary heat and need a W2 terminal. The most common color for this terminal and wire designation is brown, but this varies according to the installer’s preference.
What color is the AUX wire thermostat?
LabelsColorsFunctionsY1YellowCoolingY2Light Blue/Others2 Stage CoolingENo Fixed ColorEmergency HeatingX/AUXNo Fixed ColorAuxiliary Heating
What is Y on a thermostat?
Y, Y1, Y2: Whenever your thermostat calls for cooling, the Y wire is used to send a signal to your HVAC system telling it to fire up the air conditioner. … The O wire reverses the valve from heating to cooling, and the B wire switches the valve from cooling to heating.
Is AUX heat more expensive?
Auxiliary heat can handle more extreme temperatures since it uses electric heat strips. What this means, unfortunately, is that it’s more expensive than the conventional heat provided by a heat pump. … While a gas furnace is not as efficient as a heat pump, it is more efficient than a heat pump using auxiliary heat.
Is it OK to run heat pump on emergency heat?
If you have an all-electric heat pump, then the answer is a definite Yes! It is much more expensive to run your heat pump on Emergency Heat. And as the name implies, should only be run in an emergency until your heat pump can be repaired.
Should heat pump and AUX heat run simultaneously?
Allow Heat Pump/Auxiliary Heat to Run Simultaneously: If you select Yes and there is a source of auxiliary heat, both auxiliary heat and heat pump will turn on. … This option should also be used for installation where the heat pump evaporator coil is downstream from the source of auxiliary heat.
How do I fix my fan heater blowing cold air?
- Let the heater run for 10 minutes and check if hot air is beginning to come out after that time has elapsed.
- Check the temperature setting on the thermostat. …
- Check or replace the batteries inside the thermostat.
How do I reset my thermostat for heat?
Turn your thermostat “off”, then flip the related circuit breaker “off”. Wait 30 seconds, then turn the breaker back “on,” then the thermostat. Set the thermostat to hot or cold, whichever you prefer, and your desired temperature. This should effectively reset it.
Why is my heater not heating?
Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems. Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won’t warm up. If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.
What to check if heat is not working?
- Check that your thermostat is set to “heat.” …
- Change the filter. …
- Make sure the gas is on. …
- Clear the chimney exhaust flue. …
- Clean away leaves and debris from exhaust vents. …
- Flush out the drain lines. …
- Check for blocked ducts restricting airflow.
How do I know if I have auxiliary heat?
If your climate often falls below freezing, it is likely you have a heat pump with aux heat. … Aux heat appears as a setting on a wall thermostat. If you don’t see an aux heat enabling switch or an aux heat light on your thermostat, then your heating system doesn’t have it.
Can I force my heat pump to defrost?
Run the Fan One thing you could try to do to unfreeze your heat pump (if your system is equipped with it), is simply turning on the fan. Blowing air will usually thaw the equipment within 60 minutes. If the outdoor temperature is particularly low, you can set up the fan on an exhaust setting.
How often should your heat pump go into defrost mode?
Generally, heat pumps will defrost regularly when frost conditions are occurring. However, the frequency of defrosts should be no more than roughly every 35 minutes. The length of time the heat pump will defrost will vary, but ordinarily it should not take longer than 10 minutes.
Why is my heat pump blowing warm air?
The Indoor Coil is Frosted The coil in your air handler or furnace gets extremely cold when your system is in Cool mode. Plus, it condenses moisture out of the air to dehumidify your home. The buildup will prevent it from gathering heat and produce a heat pump blowing hot air instead.
Why is my heat not shutting off?
One of the most common issues is the thermostat. The wiring, switches, or heating sensors can fail on your unit. … A faulty check valve could be the cause of this type of heating system to fail. If your heating system will not shut down, then you need to call a professional technician for help.
How do I turn on the auxiliary heat on my Nest thermostat?
- Press the thermostat ring to bring up the Quick View menu.
- Go to Settings. Equipment.
- Select Continue when the wire diagram appears.
- Select Continue a second time when you find a summary of your system.
- Select Emer. Heat.
- Select Emer.
What is W2 aux on nest?
If the heat pump can’t heat the house, the W2/Aux wire will signal the electric elements in the air handler to come on and help out. Those electric elements can also be used as “emergency” heat if the heat pump doesn’t work. I just replaced the same thermostat with new Nest.