If your heat pump stops working all of a sudden, the emergency heat will provide warmth until it's fixed. The emergency heat consists of heat strips that work when the compressor is switched off.
Test your emergency heat at the beginning of every cold season so you know it will work properly if you need it.
If your electric goes out and your heat pump is off for more than half an hour, use the emergency heat mode before you try to turn the compressor on once your power comes back. Leave the heat pump in the emergency heat mode for the same period of time that the power was out for. You don't, however, need to use the emergency mode for longer than 12 hours; it'll be safe to turn your heat pump back on at this point.
