Heating 101

November 3, 2025

As the cooler months approach and the temperature begins to drop, staying warm and cozy in your home is a top priority. Understanding the type of heating system you have is key to ensuring your home stays warm throughout the winter months. Whether it’s a gas, electric, oil furnace, or an electric heat pump, it’s important to understand what system you have and how to operate it to its highest efficiency.

What type of heating system do I have?

• If your thermostat has an emergency/auxiliary heat option, you most likely have a heat pump as your primary heating source, with an electric or gas supplemental heat source.
• If your thermostat does not have an emergency/auxiliary heat selection, you have a gas, oil, or electric furnace as your primary heating source for your home.

If you determine your primary heating source is a heat pump, make sure your thermostat is in heat mode. If you need to adjust the temperature, do so in two-degree increments or less. Raising the thermostat more than two degrees above the desired temperature will activate the emergency heat, resulting in a significant increase in your energy consumption.

The emergency heat should only run when the heat pump goes into a defrost cycle, when the outside temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the heat pump cycles to defrost, it will rely solely on the emergency/auxiliary heat to maintain the home’s thermostat setting.

If you notice your emergency/auxiliary heat is operating and the outside temperature does not justify it, verify your thermostat setting (heat mode only). If your settings are correct, then contact a professional HVAC company to inspect your unit.

For any questions about the type of heating system you have, call 704-289-3145 to speak with one of our energy specialists.