How to program a nest thermostat for alternate heat with heat pump

Using nest thermostat to change from heat pump to alternate heating.

[@ruili1984]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@lizethaguirre6730]

One year later in Tennessee and we’re having the same issue. The default settings on our nest were set to never use Alt Heat. Do you know the difference between alternate heat and alternate stage 2?

[@MiguelHernandez-pj7pl]

Hey Scott, I live in Fort Worth Texas. I'm having issues with my learning nest using alt heat all the time. I have my learning nest wired just like you and I just finished setting the dual fuel to 25F but for some reason when the heating kicks on its still in Alt Heat. its 41F outside right now and I'm worried about it running the pump all day. I have 2 units by the way, upstairs and down stairs and both are doing the same. Is there something that I need to reset or am I missing something? My units are wired just like yours as I mentioned before although I had the red wire connected to the RH and I moved it to the RC to match yours. I don't have gas, everything here is electric.

[@scottc2198]

Hmm that sounds interesting. If everything is wired correctly, are you sure your nest thermostat isn’t faulty?

[@allyn523]

if actual inside air temp is 4 degrees or more lower than requested temp the Alt. Kicks in too.

[@tudtran8263]

Do you have to set up Wi-Fi for the stat to know the outdoor temperature?

[@scottc2198]

I don’t believe so. But I would connect wi-fi to avoid complications.

[@ajpasa]

Yes, it doesn’t have wiring for sensors.

[@auroraolds]

My alt heat is gas. What furnace set up do you have? I don’t have a dedicated stage 2 wire, just the white one.

[@squiglyace7346]

U have a fuel fuel?

[@scottc2198]

Sorry about the confusion. Everything we use here is electric. We use heat pumps with alternate stage heating.

[@jamesm568]

I hate using the nest thermostat with a heat pump and auxiliary as they make it so complicated.

[@patriotu.s.elections7879]

Does this setting mean the heat pump is dissabled ?

[@scottc2198]

Yes, it is using your alternative heat option. Which can vary.

[@billwu8581]

@@scottc2198 can I please ask what is the lowest temperature you are capable of setting for alternative heat? My heatpump has 100% efficiency at -20C, but my google nest only allow lowest temp setting to be at -12C. so basically from (-20c) - (-12c), even thought my heat pump will functional optimally, it still will switch to my furnace.