01/21/2026
Let's look @ the next 10 day forecast and talk about your homes heating systems for a moment:
HEATPUMPS and single digit lows (actually any extended period of time below
30 degrees F)
They are going to Run.. A LOT.. If we have extended periods of temps below 30 degrees, (depending on the insulation in your house and some other factors), you are going to see the "AUX" light/word on your thermostat. Your "set" temp may be 70 degrees and your thermostat will only get to 68 or 69... Chances are the "heat pump" is doing all it is going to do and your "aux" heaters are doing what they are suppose to do. (Once the temps increase above 40 degrees, things should get back to "normal" and you shouldn't see "aux" on your thermostat nearly as much.
Lows in the single digits and highs in the 20's, your heat pump is doing all it can do and your primary heat source is your "aux" heaters... If your thermostat is consistently running 2 degrees lower than what you have it set at during these extreme temperatures.... Don't sweat it, let it do it's thing... Everything will return to normal when this "Arctic Blast" goes back to the Arctic"....
Now... If you have your thermostat set to 70 and it is 60 degrees in your home, the heat pump is probably doing all it is going to do and you have an auxiliary heat PROBLEM..
If your system is not able to keep up to set point of the thermostat when this crazy Cold weather goes away and our normal weather returns, you have a HEATING PROBLEM and need someone to come and repair/replace your system.
While we are at it, let's talk about rolling black outs that may occur due to the stress on our power grid:
HEAT PUMPs and rolling blackouts (this also includes programable/setback thermostats).
Any time the power company cuts the power to your home for 15 minutes to many hours to save the electric grid, it affects the operation/ability to control your comfort temperature of your home.
Heat pumps aren't designed for single digit temperatures. They have backup/auxiliary/emergency resistance heaters to help when the temps remain below 30 or so for extended periods of time. When the systems get cut off for any reason and cannot maintain the current setpoint (especially in single digit/teen temperatures), it makes it harder for them to satisfy your thermostat without assistance of the auxiliary heat.
To put it simple, the warmer the outdoor air and the warmer the indoor air, the quicker/more efficient a heat pump will keep your home to your setpoint temperature. A drop in either temp causes the system to lose efficiency and takes it longer to raise the temperature in your home.
The electric company is not doing rolling outages to keep you in the cold or dark, they are doing this to save the substations from burning to the ground.
Take a breath, bundle up and understand, "it's not personal", it's being done so you don't have to wait DAYS for a substation replacement/repair.
Tips:
Make sure your attic is insulated properly.
Turn the setback/programming OFF on your tstat. Use the HOLD button on your thermostat to maintain a constant temperature.
Make sure all registers/vents are OPEN
Make sure you have a CLEAN return air filter
Keep all outside doors and windows closed as much as possible
Make sure you have window covings/ curtains/blinds etc to minimize heat loss in those areas.
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND STAY WARM!!
