When to use your Backup Heating System
- Remember your ductless heat pump is a secondary, not primary heat source, so there can be times when you will need to turn your backup heating (electric baseboard, oil baseboard etc.) on to keep your home warm
- If you have any issues with your heat pump that are causing it to not be able to maintain heating in your home, turn on your backup heat source right away, especially if in the depth of winter. Then you can trouble shoot your heat pump with these videosand if required contact our service department at (902) 461-0600 ext 3
- If a prolonged forecast of extremely cold weather is on the way (e.g. below -20°C or lower for several days) it can be good practice to turn your backup heat source on for that time.
- A flash freeze or large ice storm forecast is another red flag of when you would want to turn on your backup heating source and shut off your heat pump
Many of the heat pumps we install are rated to temperatures as low as -25°C. In that case it may be fine to leave your heat pump on during those low temperatures. As the outdoor temperature drops heat pumps ability to produce the same amount of heat as at higher temperatures is reduced. So use comfort as your guide. If you feel that your heat pump is unable to maintain a comfort inside your home consider shutting the heat pump off for until the extreme cold period ends and use your backup heating source.
