What are heat strips? The backup heat in a heat pump
Heat strips are coils of wire inside the air handler that glow hot, like a toaster, when electricity runs through them. Your heat pump turns them on when it can’t keep up by itself, on the coldest days and during defrost. When your thermostat says aux heat, these are what’s running.
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From one of our jobs
An electric heat strip pulled from an air handler
Right now: On a cold morning, check whether the thermostat shows aux heat and the air at the vents is warm. If it’s on and the air is lukewarm, a strip may be out.
This is one heat strip assembly out of a heat pump’s air handler: the coiled wire elements, the safety limits and the wiring that feeds them. Most homes have two or three stages of them.
When one burns out, the heat pump still runs but the house stops keeping up on a cold night, and the air at the vents feels lukewarm. A dusty smell the first time they run each fall is normal. A burning plastic smell or a breaker that keeps tripping isn’t.
Quick answers
What people ask about heat strips
What is aux heat on my thermostat?
It means the heat strips are on to help the heat pump. It’s normal on the coldest days and during defrost. If it runs all day in mild weather, the heat pump needs a look.
What is the difference between aux heat and emergency heat?
Aux heat comes on automatically to help. Emergency heat is a setting you choose that runs the strips alone and shuts the heat pump off. Use it only when the outdoor unit is down.
Why does my heat pump smell like burning when the heat comes on?
Dust burning off the heat strips the first few times they run each fall. If it doesn’t fade after a day, or smells like plastic, turn it off and call.
How do I know if a heat strip is bad?
The house falls behind on cold nights, the vents feel lukewarm with aux heat on, or a breaker on the air handler trips. A tech checks each one with a meter.
Who repairs heat pump heat strips in Northern Virginia?
Call SwiftPro at (703) 997-9757. We test, repair and replace heat strips and heat pumps across Northern Virginia.
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SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
SwiftPro Plumber & Water Heaters
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276