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Working only on Aux, but not on Heat?

Samnaa
Samnaa Member Posts: 5
in Thermostats and Controls

hi, I have an Emerson thermostat with the options heat and aux. When I put it on the option heat, the air from the furnace isn’t hot. But when I choose the option aux, the air is hot. Why is the heat option not working? Thank you!

Comments

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 1,931

    Hello Samnaa,

    In general it sounds like it is connected to the system incorrectly. Did it ever work correctly ?

    Model number ?

    Emerson sells more than one thermostat.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,470

    Do you know what type of heating system you have? Is it a heat pump? If so, the pump part isn't working. The auxiliary should kick in by itself on a differential.

  • Samnaa
    Samnaa Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2024

    Thanks for the replies. It’s a new house that I bought so this is the first winter that I use it. I was told that only 2 out of the 3 (circuits/power) are working basically it should be 5+5+5=15 but it’s right now 5+5 =10 and that I can keep it like this it will use less electricity but take a little more time to heat the house.

    Here are the pictures of everything:


    IMG_9960.jpeg
    IMG_9961.jpeg
    IMG_9962.jpeg
    IMG_9963.jpeg


    Basically when I put the thermostat on the option heat then the air isn’t hot but I’m putting it on aux and the air is hot. I keep reading online that aux uses like 50% more electricity so that’s why I’m wondering if I should repair something or if it everything is normal. Thank you!

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,378

    Aux would use more electricity than heat if you had a heat pump installed. This looks like an electric resistance only system, so it doesn't matter whether its wired to come on with heat or aux, it will cost the same either way.

    Samnaabburd
  • Samnaa
    Samnaa Member Posts: 5

    Ok thank you!

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,470

    It used to be a heat pump. Not any more. The thermostat and air handler need to be rewired so auxiliary pulls in the second set of heaters. It needs to be a 2 stage heat thermostat though.

  • Samnaa
    Samnaa Member Posts: 5
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1826441#Comment_1826441

    Thanks not sure I fully understand though…So do I need to do something? Or is everything functioning as it’s supposed to be right now with the current thermostat?

  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 1,931

    The refrigerant lines are gone, so no more Heat Pump functionality, just electric resistive heat.

    image.png
    image.png

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,822

    @Samnaa, it's working as well as it's going to right now. It used to be a "heat pump" system, which is an air conditioner that can works forward (normal AC, indoor part gets cold and outdoor part gets hot) and backwards (indoor part gets hot, outdoor part gets cold). That part has been removed, so all that's left is the electric heat. (No AC any more, either…)

    You should get a few prices on the necessary repairs, depending on your electric costs you should save enough money with the heat pump vs the electric heat that you will recoup the investment rather quickly. Plus, you'll have air conditioning again.

  • Samnaa
    Samnaa Member Posts: 5

    ok thank you everyone!

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,470
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1826471#Comment_1826471

    I'm not sure if you NEED to do anything. All that's available is electric heat, and that's what you've got. What might help on the pocketbook is if there are 2 sets of heat strips. Then it can be wired for 2 stage heat. The first stage being the smaller of the two. There's (2) 2P breakers there, so it might be an option.

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