Right Away Heating and Air Right Away Heating and Air Fixes Your Backup Heat
Horizontal air handler under insulated trunk ducts.
Heat Strip Repair Near You for Emergency Heat and Auxiliary Heat That Won't Turn On, Won't Shut Off or Can't Keep Up
Right Away Heating and Air Fixes Your Backup Heat
Updated November 2026
Right Away Heating and Air handles heat strip repair near you for heat pump homes. Heat strips are electric coils in your air handler that add heat when the heat pump can't keep up, run during defrost, and do all the heating when you switch to EM HEAT.
Need heat strip repair in Ladson, SC? Our team works out of the William Aiken Avenue office and covers the towns around it.
Element and sequencer repairs typically run $250-$900+, and full heat kits run $800-$1,800+ depending on size. We also set your thermostat so the strips only run when they should. Take $50 off any repair. Call 843-996-8904.
- American Standard Customer Care Dealer
- SC License CLM.119013
- 20+ Years Lowcountry HVAC
- $50 Off Any Repair
- After Hours No Heat Service
Editor view: the real Duda form sits in its own block and moves here on Preview and the live site.
$50 off any repair is applied to your ticket automatically.
Ladson, SC 29456
What Do Heat Strips Do in a Heat Pump System?
Backup, Not Main
Heat strips are the backup heat in a heat pump system. They turn on automatically when the heat pump can't keep up or is in defrost, and they're the only heat when the thermostat is on EM HEAT.
| Thermostat Shows | What's Running | When It's Normal |
|---|---|---|
| HEAT | Heat pump only | Most winter days |
| AUX | Heat pump plus heat strips | Very cold mornings, big temperature jumps, defrost |
| EM HEAT | Heat strips only | Only when the heat pump has failed |
Why Is My AUX Heat Always On?
AUX heat that's always on usually means the heat pump isn't heating well, the thermostat setup is off, or big temperature setbacks keep triggering the strips.
- The heat pump has a problem and the strips are covering for it.
- The aux lockout temperature is set too high.
- Nighttime setbacks of 4 or more degrees trigger strips every morning.
- A dirty filter cuts airflow.
Backup, Not Main Written prices, $50 off any repair and free second opinions.
Signs Your Heat Strips Need Repair
Cold or Costly
Signs your heat strips need repair include lukewarm air on cold mornings, cool air during defrost, a burning smell that lingers, breakers that trip, and power bills that spike because the strips never shut off.
| Sign | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Lukewarm air on very cold mornings | Burned-out element |
| Cool air during defrost | Strips not turning on |
| Breaker trips when heat runs | Shorted element or wiring |
| Strips never shut off | Stuck relay or sequencer |
| Burning smell for hours | Overheating or debris on the strips |
| EM HEAT gives no heat | Strips or controls failed |
A light dusty smell the first time the heat runs each fall is normal and fades quickly.
Cold or Costly Written prices, $50 off any repair and free second opinions.
How Much Does Heat Strip Repair Cost Near You?
$250-$1,800+ by Part
Heat strip repair near you typically costs $250-$900+ for an element, sequencer, relay or limit switch, and $800-$1,800+ for a full heat kit. Kilowatt size and air handler style move the price.
| Heat Strip Repair | Typical Lowcountry Price Range |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic service call | $80-$150+ |
| Limit switch | $150-$350+ |
| Sequencer or relay | $250-$600+ |
| Single element | $300-$900+ |
| Full heat kit replacement | $800-$1,800+ |
Prices are typical Lowcountry ranges for planning. Your written estimate is the final word.
How Much Does It Cost to Run Heat Strips?
Running heat strips costs about two to three times more than running the heat pump for the same heat. That's why a strip problem shows up on your power bill.
- A 10 kW heat kit uses about 10 kilowatt-hours every hour it runs.
- Long EM HEAT stretches can double a monthly bill.
- Fixing the heat pump is usually the real savings.
$250-$1,800+ by Part Written prices, $50 off any repair and free second opinions.
How Right Away Heating and Air Repairs Heat Strips
Test Every Element
Right Away Heating and Air repairs heat strips by testing every element and control, so you pay only for the part that failed.
- Kill power to the air handler.
- Test each element for continuity and amp draw.
- Test sequencers, relays and limit switches.
- Inspect wiring for heat damage.
- Price the repair in writing.
- Replace and test with the heat running.
- Set the aux heat lockout on the thermostat.
Test Every Element Written prices, $50 off any repair and free second opinions.
Heat Strip Repair Specials and Comfort Club Savings
$50 Off Any Repair
Heat strip repair from Right Away Heating and Air qualifies for $50 off any repair, and Comfort Club members get heat strips tested at every fall tune-up.
| Offer | What You Get |
|---|---|
| $50 Off Any HVAC Repair | Applies to heat strip repairs |
| Comfort Club | Heat strips tested every fall, 10% off repairs |
| Free Second Opinion | If someone quoted a whole new system |
Restrictions apply.
Where Right Away Heating and Air Provides Heat strip repair
One Local Team, 20 Towns
Right Away Heating and Air handles heat strip repair for 20 Lowcountry communities, all served from one office at 9565 William Aiken Ave, Suite 104, in Ladson.
Right Away Heating and Air in Ladson, SC
Right Away Heating and Air in Ladson, SC keeps heat strip repair local: the person who answers your call works down the hall from the tech who shows up.
Towns We Cover for Heat strip repair
- Inland: Summerville, Goose Creek, North Charleston, Hanahan, Moncks Corner, West Ashley, Ravenel, Hollywood
- Harbor and rivers: Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Awendaw, Meggett, Yonges Island
- Islands and beaches: James Island, Johns Island, Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Edisto Island
One Local Team, 20 Towns Written prices, $50 off any repair and free second opinions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Strip Repair Near You
Quick Answers
What's the Difference Between AUX and EM HEAT?
AUX runs the heat strips along with the heat pump automatically. EM HEAT turns the heat pump off and runs only the strips.
Is It Bad to Run EM HEAT?
It isn't harmful, but it's expensive. Use it only until the heat pump is fixed.
Why Does My Heat Smell Like Burning?
A short dusty smell the first time each fall is normal. A smell that lasts or smells like plastic needs a check.
How Long Do Heat Strips Last?
Often 15 years or more, though elements and sequencers can fail sooner.
Do Heat Strips Come On During Defrost?
Yes, on most systems, so you don't get cold air while the outdoor coil defrosts.
Can You Set My Thermostat to Use Less Aux Heat?
Yes. We set the aux heat lockout and staging on compatible thermostats.
Reviewed by Blake Miller, Owner, Right Away Heating and Air
Book Heat Strip Repair Near You With Right Away Heating and Air
Warm and Efficient
Right Away Heating and Air will fix your backup heat and set it up to run only when needed. Call 843-996-8904.
9565 William Aiken Ave, Suite 104, Ladson, SC 29456
