Aux Heat and Emergency Heat

Aux Heat and Emergency Heat

HVAC can be complex, and we see many questions about the differences between Aux Heat and Emergency Heat.  This article is designed to answer some of the most common questions we receive.

 

---

 

Aux Heat

• What is Aux Heat?

  • Aux Heat refers to supplemental heating stages in a multi-stage or variable speed system.

• When should Aux Heat run?

  • Aux Heat should run whenever there is a large demand on the system or when the system has a lockout configured.
    
    

• Can Aux Heat be disabled?

  • No, Aux Heat cannot be disabled.
    
    

• How does Aux Heat report on the system status screen?

  • Aux Heat usually reports as Heating Stage 2 or 3, but could also be represented by a flame with a plus icon.

• Is Aux Heat provided by the indoor unit or the heat pump?

  • Aux Heat is Indoor heat provided by the indoor unit.
    
    

• Do I need my HVAC dealer to configure Aux Heat?

  • Yes, an HVAC technician is required to configure Aux Heat.  Every system is configured differently, usually due to size and type, and their HVAC knowledge is necessary.  This includes all Aux Heat configurations, including lockout parameters.  Please note that Trane Home Support cannot assist with any Aux Heat configuration.
    
    

• What is a Lockout?

  • Aux Heat Lockouts are temperature settings that bypass compressor heat in very low ambient conditions and use only Aux Heat, both for efficiency and equipment protection.  Other lockouts can be used to tell the system to use only compressor heat (heat pump) until the temperature dips below a specific point.
    
    

• What is Emergency Heat?

  • Emergency Heat is backup heat, usually electric.
    
    

• When should Emergency Heat run? 

  • Usually, Emergency Heat will run whenever there is a large demand on the system or when the system has a lockout configured.
    
    

• Can Emergency Heat be disabled?

  • Yes.  Please see Enabling and Disabling Emergency Heat for instructions.

• How does Emergency Heat report on the system status screen?

  • It should display Emergency Heating and typically has a flame icon with an "E."
    
    

• Is Emergency heat provided by the heat pump or Indoor unit?

  • Emergency Heat is indoor heat provided by the indoor unit.

• Do I need my HVAC dealer to configure Emergency Heat?

  • Yes, an HVAC technician is required to configure Emergency Heat; their HVAC knowledge is necessary.  Please note that Trane Home Support cannot assist with any Emergency Heat configuration.
    
    

• What is a Lockout?

  • Emergency Heat Lockouts are temperature settings that bypass compressor heat in very low ambient conditions and use only Emergency Heat, both for efficiency and equipment protection.  Other lockouts can be used to tell the system to use only compressor heat (heat pump) until the temperature dips below a specific point.  The lockouts available are dependent on the unit type.

 

 

If you have any additional questions regarding HVAC operation, please contact your HVAC dealer. 

If you need to locate a dealer in your area, please visit the Trane Dealer Locator site and search using your US Zip Code or Canadian Postal Code to find any Trane dealers serving your community.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Trane Home Customer Support via email at help@tranehome.com or call 1-877-288-7707, Monday-Friday 9 AM – 8 PM ET, and Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM ET.