Hello,

My heat pump won't stop heating my house when the temperature gets above the setting.

Example:
Outside temperature: 14 degrees F
Inside temperature setting: 68 degrees F
Actual inside temperature: 74 degrees F (and still heating)

I have EMERGENCY HEAT on because its so cold.

I cannot stop the heating... If I set the thermostat to OFF the system does not turn off but keeps heating. The only way I can stop the system is to flip the circuit breaker off and leave it off for at least 2-3 minutes.

I've made no changes to the system. It's been working just fine this season until yesterday.

Any ideas?

"I have EMERGENCY HEAT on because its so cold." can you explain exactly what this is? Is it a backup furnace possible gas fired

I'm no expert on heat pumps but as I understand it... once it gets too cold the heat pump cannot generate enough heat to heat the house. The EMERGENCY HEAT, I believe, is simply an electrical heating element inside the heat pump that generates the heat instead (when activated). It's more expensive than the heat pump but it can still generate heat when the heat pump cannot. At least, that's my understanding.

In most cases the emergency heat is electric restance coils in the air handler. When the thermostat is turned to "emergency heat" the outdoor unit is shut down & all heating is done by the electric strip heat.
Joe, it sounds like the emergency heat relay in your air handler is sticking.
How old is your heat pump?

In most cases the emergency heat is electric restance coils in the air handler. When the thermostat is turned to "emergency heat" the outdoor unit is shut down & all heating is done by the electric strip heat.
Joe, it sounds like the emergency heat relay in your air handler is sticking.
How old is your heat pump?

I'm not entirely sure how old the system is. I bought this house a few years ago but the house is 23 years old.

I think you're right about the relay. After reseting the system using the circuit breaker I switch EMERGENCY HEAT off and reverted back to normal HEAT mode. Ever since then the system is regulating properly. Thanks for the help!

You are more than welcome. I do suggest getting that relay checked out by a local pro familiar with heat pumps & electric furances.