Energy Efficiency

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As concerns over adequate energy supply grow, and energy costs rise, finding ways to conserve has never been more important!

At Citizens' Electric, we want our customers to be energy savvy. This page provides information, tools, and external resources to help you better understand the drivers of energy usage in your home or business and find ways to reduce your usage--and your bill!

You'll find lots of references below to Energy.gov, this website is full of helpful, accurate, and free information to help you save!

March, 2026

Heat pumps, both air source and geothermal, are some the best home HVAC systems available for energy- and cost-efficiency. They can still be costly, however, during extended periods of low temperatures, and not just because heating systems run more often when its cold outside. This is especially true if they are not properly configured.

To get the most out of your heat-pump system, you need to understand how it works, and where the pitfalls are.

How they work

Unlike most other home heating systems, heat pumps don't generate heat, or thermal energy. Traditional heating systems generate heat by converting energy from one form to another, such as electric resistance, which converts electric energy to heat, or oil furnaces which convert chemical energy to heat by burning. That's why you won't see a traditional 'efficiency' rating on heat pumps, since they don't convert energy, their efficiency can't be measured in the same way.

Instead, heat pumps work by concentrating thermal energy (heat) found in the outside air or ground and moving (or 'pumping') into your home. Even cold, winter air still contains thermal energy. Heat pumps are able to harvest this sparse outside energy and concentrate it to produce warm indoor air. By moving heat rather than generating it, heat pumps are able to provide much more cost-efficient heating than many other systems.

Air-source heat pumps use outdoor air for their thermal energy source. This method is cheaper to install than geothermal, which uses water systems to harvest thermal energy from the ground. Geothermal systems, while more expensive up front, have the advantage of a nearly constant energy reservoir. Ground temperatures--below the frostline--rarely change, so no matter what the weather is outside, geothermal systems can pump that energy inside at the same rate.

Both system types have limits, though. All heat pump systems have what is called a 'balance point' a specific temperature (and set of atmospheric conditions) at which a heat pump is able to replace heat in a home at the same rate at which it is lost to the outside atmosphere. Above the balance point, heat pump systems can keep a home warm with no assistance, below the balance point, a heat pump system needs an auxiliary heat source to keep up. The balance point depends on the characteristics of both the heat pump system and the home it is installed in. A qualified, professional installer should be able to calculate the approximate balance point for you home, though some trial and error may be required to dial it in just right.

Auxiliary Heat

Building codes in cold weather climates typically require an auxiliary heat source for heat pump systems. Auxiliary heat is necessary for any home that might experience temperatures below the balance point, and also provides emergency heat in the event that the heat pump's compressor system fails or malfunctions. Most systems use electric strip heaters for auxiliary heat, but other heat sources, such as gas or oil, can be used.

There are a number of common reasons for auxiliary heat to run:

1. Outdoor temperatures drop below the balance point. When outside temperatures dip below the balance point, a home will lose heat faster than the heat pump can replace it. Most systems will automatically turn on auxiliary heat based on the outside temperature, using a balance point temperature setting programmed by the installer.
2. The thermostat calls for heat, and the indoor temperature doesn't reach the desired setting, or achieve a designated change in temperature within a specified time. For example, a system might be set up such that if the heat pump is unable to raise the temperature by at least two degrees within ten minutes, the auxiliary heat will switch on.
3. The thermostat calls for a large change in temperature. For example, a system may be set up that if the temperature is turned up by more than 3 degrees above the current temperature, than the auxiliary heat switches on.
4. The system detects a failure of the compressor. Systems that have the ability to self-diagnose programs may automatically turn on auxiliary heat if the main heat pump mis-operates or fails.
5. The system runs through an automatic or manual defrost cycle. The outdoor unit of heat pump systems can ice up under certain conditions, reducing effectiveness or even causing damage if ignored. Most systems will detect icing and automatically enter a defrost cycle. During the cycle, the system may run the auxiliary heat to provide heat necessary to de-ice the compressor and prevent cold air from being circulated into the home.

There are also some less common reasons for auxiliary heat to run.

1. The homeowner manually engages auxiliary heat. Heat pump systems typically circulate air at just above the temperature called for, which can feel cool to some individuals. This can lead users to manually engage the auxiliary heat, which provides hotter air and feels more comfortable.
2. The system malfunctions and engages auxiliary automatically when it is not needed.
3. The system is set to automatically engage auxiliary heat when the indoor temperature is set to more than a certain degree higher than outdoor temperature. Many HVAC codes prohibit this, but it is still an option on some systems.

What Makes Auxiliary Heat Expensive?

Auxiliary heat uses electric resistance to produce heat. While electric resistance is nearly 100% efficient from a 'physics' standpoint, electricity is a very expensive fuel source for heat, so resistance heating is not cost-efficient.

If you've ever looked closely at a hair dryer, you've seen the slinky-looking coils in the back that heat the air as it is pulled through the dryer. Sometimes you'll even see them glowing. These coils are made of a special, high-resistance wire that produces heat when electricity flows through it. It is a very fast, reliable, and simple heat source, but its also expensive. Auxiliary heat is basically the same thing, just many times larger. No one would expect heating their home with a dozen hair dryers to be cost efficient, and the same holds true for auxiliary heat.

Don't panic, auxiliary heat is an important part of a heat pump system's design, and even though it is expensive when it runs, the overall system is still very cost efficient on average over time.

Heat pump system owners should understand and expect that, during extended periods of cold weather, heating costs for that period will be high. Over the course of a year, those costs will be more than outweighed by the savings achieved during normal operation. If a homeowner isn't prepared, however, these periods can produce an unpleasant surprise when the utility bill arrives.

Avoiding Unnecessary Costs

All heat pumps in our region should be expected to run auxiliary heat at times, but system owners can keep their costs down by avoiding unnecessary and avoidable use of auxiliary heat. Consider the checklist below and consult your HVAC pro to make changes if necessary:

• Configure the system correctly:
  • Disable settings that aren't code compliant.
  • Check the balance point and adjust if necessary.
  • Make sure your programmable thermostat doesn't call for temperature changes that automatically engage auxiliary heat.
• Maintain the system:
  • Unmaintained systems will take longer to heat, which can lead to the auxiliary heat automatically engaging.
  • Regular maintenance avoids failures and malfunctions that will force the auxiliary heat to run.
• Check your own habits:
  • Don't 'bump' the thermostat, change the temperature settings by small increments with time in between.
  • Don't run the auxiliary heat manually, except in emergencies, that warm air might feel nice, but it comes at a high cost

Want to Learn More?

Check the Energy.gov resources on Heat Pump systems here. You can find even more detail on air source heat pumps from the Dept of Energy here.

You can also speak to your system installer or any other qualified, professional HVAC installer to check the configuration of your home's system.

It's easy to get lost in all the possibilities of energy-saving technology, renewable generation, and the newest, greatest, high efficiency appliances, but the best place to start is with yourself!

Our habits, the little things we do every day, can have a huge impact on energy consumption. They can be difficult to change, but if you're willing, a hard look at your daily habits can lead to real savings, without ever spending a dime!