During a defrost cycle, how long is auxiliary heat typically activated?

During a defrost cycle, auxiliary heat is typically activated for the duration of the cycle to ensure that the indoor space remains comfortable while the heat pump is temporarily unable to provide heating. This is crucial because the defrost cycle is necessary to remove frost or ice that builds up on the outdoor unit, which can impede its efficiency. By engaging the auxiliary heat for the entire duration of the defrost cycle, the system compensates for any loss of heat that occurs during this process. This helps maintain a stable indoor temperature, especially important in colder climates where extended defrosting might occur.

Other options do not adequately capture the operational behavior of heat pumps during defrost cycles. Some options imply that auxiliary heat would be sporadically activated or limited to specific conditions, which does not reflect the need for continuous heating during the defrost cycle.