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should you use emergency heat during ice storm

You generally should not switch on “emergency heat” just because there’s an ice storm, unless your heat pump can’t keep up or is malfunctioning and your home is getting dangerously cold.

What “emergency heat” really does

For most heat-pump thermostats:

  • “Heat” = normal heat pump mode, which moves heat from outside to inside and is relatively efficient in cold weather, up to its design limits.
  • “Aux” or “Emergency heat” = backup electric resistance strips or gas/oil backup that turn your system into something more like a giant space heater.
  • That backup heat is much more expensive per hour than normal heat pump operation, but it can warm your home faster and still work when the outdoor unit is struggling or iced over.

Think of emergency heat as the “spare tire” of your HVAC system: safe to use when you really need it, but not meant for everyday driving.

When you should NOT use emergency heat

If power is on and your system is working, in most situations during an ice storm you should leave the thermostat on regular “Heat” and let the system manage itself.

Avoid switching to emergency heat when:

  • Your home is holding roughly your set temperature, maybe drifting only 1–3 degrees below during the coldest hours.
  • The outdoor unit is running and not showing error lights or obvious damage.
  • Your utility has asked customers to conserve power to avoid grid strain or rolling blackouts. Backup heat can draw a lot more electricity and increase overall grid stress.

In these cases, using emergency heat wastes energy and risks much higher bills without adding real safety.

When it is reasonable to use emergency heat

During an ice storm, it may be appropriate to switch to emergency heat temporarily if:

  1. The outdoor unit is iced solid or clearly damaged
    • If the outdoor unit fan is not spinning, it’s entombed in ice, or making alarming noises, switching to emergency heat can prevent further damage and keep some heat in the house until it’s safe to get service.
  1. Your indoor temperature is dropping into unsafe territory
    • If, despite running, your heat pump cannot keep the house above a safe range (for most people, think roughly mid–50s Fahrenheit or higher, higher still for infants, elderly, or ill people), emergency heat is justified to prevent hypothermia and freezing pipes.
  1. An HVAC tech or local utility told you to use it
    • If a professional specifically instructs you to use emergency heat because of a suspected pump problem or ongoing repair, follow that guidance. Many HVAC pros emphasize that it is safe for short-term use in actual emergencies, just expensive.

When you do switch to emergency heat, plan it as a short-term measure: stabilize the home, then return to normal “Heat” mode once temperatures moderate or repairs are done.

Practical tips to stay warm without jumping to emergency heat

During an ice storm, personal and home safety comes first, but there are ways to give your normal heat mode a boost so you don’t have to lean on emergency strips as much.

Improve insulation and reduce heat loss

  • Close curtains or blinds, and use blankets over especially drafty windows from the inside.
  • Close doors to unused rooms so your system only has to warm the spaces you actually occupy.
  • Seal obvious drafts with towels at the base of exterior doors.

Use safe supplemental heat (if available)

  • If you have a properly vented fireplace or woodstove, use it according to manufacturer and safety guidance, keeping combustibles at least 3 feet away.
  • Use only indoor-rated space heaters with automatic tip-over and overheat protection, and plug them directly into wall outlets (no extension cords), again with a 3‑foot safety zone.
  • Always run working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors if you are using fuel-burning appliances.

Layer up and protect vulnerable people

  • Dress in multiple layers, including hats and warm socks; add blankets and sleeping bags when resting or sleeping.
  • Check on elderly family members, neighbors, and anyone with medical conditions, since they feel cold stress earlier and more severely.

If your home becomes too cold to keep people safe, local guidance often recommends going to a warming center, shelter, or public building that has reliable heat when roads and conditions allow.

What if the power goes out?

If the power is completely out, your thermostat’s emergency heat option will not help, because both the heat pump and its electric strips usually require electricity. In that case, focus on:

  • Non-electric, properly vented heat sources that are labeled for indoor use only, and follow all safety instructions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Non-heat strategies: consolidating everyone in one interior room, adding layers and bedding, blocking drafts, and using battery lights rather than candles to reduce fire risk.

If conditions become unsafe (very low indoor temperatures, health issues, or you cannot maintain warmth), authorities and organizations like the Red Cross advise going to a designated shelter or warming center when possible.

Mini “Quick Scoop” recap

  • Don’t flip to emergency heat automatically just because it’s icy outside; use normal heat mode as long as it can maintain a safe indoor temperature.
  • Emergency heat is mainly for when the outdoor unit is failing, iced over, or cannot keep the home safely warm. It’s safe but costly, so treat it like a short-term backup, not a standard setting.
  • Combine safe supplemental heat, better insulation, and warm clothing to reduce how often you need emergency heat during an ice storm.
  • If your home becomes too cold or you lose power, follow local emergency guidance and consider going to a community warming location when it’s safe to travel.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.