Aux heat kicks in when the outside temperature falls below a certain range, and your heat pump cannot efficiently maintain your desired home temperature. Since aux heat consumes significantly more energy, you must run it only when necessary. 

Consider you have a Cielo Smart Thermostat connected to your central HVAC, your Aux heating system (furnace/boiler), and a Cielo Breez Max connected to your mini-split. You can follow the steps below to ensure a comfortable and energy-efficient home. 

Note: You can either use Cielo Breez Max or Cielo Breez Plus with your mini-split. 

Switch to Aux when the outside temperature falls below 5°F 

When the outside temperature falls below 5°F (or the value that you have set), your thermostat will switch to furnace heating.

Here’s how you can create this link: 

Step 1: Open the Cielo Home app. Tap on ‘Menu’ on the home screen and then tap on ‘Cielo Linked’.

Step 2: Tap the '+' icon and then 'Select a source'.

Step 3: Select ‘Outdoor temperature’ and tap ‘Next’. Select ‘Falls below’ and set the temperature to ‘5°F’. Tap ‘Next’.

Step 4: Tap on ‘Select the device’. Select Home Smart Thermostat, tap ‘Next’. 

Step 5: Tap on 'Change mode'.

Step 6: Change ‘Mode’ to ‘Aux’. Tap on ‘Create Link’. 

Switch to central heat pump when the outside temperature goes above 5°F

Step 1: Open the Cielo Home app. On the home screen, tap ‘Menu’, then tap ‘Cielo Linked.’

Step 2: Tap the ‘+’ icon. Tap on ‘Select a Source’. 

Step 3: Select ‘Outdoor temperature’. Tap on ‘Next’. 

Step 4: Select ‘Goes above’ and set the temperature to ‘5F’. Tap ‘Next’.

Step 5: Tap on ‘Select the device’. Select Home Thermostat and tap on ‘Next’.

Step 6: Tap on ‘Change mode’. Tap ‘Heat’ and then ‘Next’. 

Step 7: Tap on ‘Create Link’. 

Turn on the mini-split and turn off the central heat pump when the outside temperature goes above 20F

You can create another link that automatically turns on the mini-split heat pump and switches off the central heat pump when the outdoor weather returns to suitable conditions. 

Step 1: Open the Cielo Home app. On the home screen, tap ‘Menu’, then tap ‘Explore.’ 

Step 2: Tap the ‘+’ icon. 

Step 3: Tap on ‘Select source’. Select ‘Outdoor temperature’. Tap on ‘Next’. 

Step 4: Set it to ‘Goes above 20F’. Tap ‘Next’.

Step 5: Tap on ‘Select the device’. Select Cielo Breez Max Living Room, tap ‘Next’.

Step 6: Select 'Change Settings'.Then tap on 'Custom Settings'. 

Step 7 Set ‘AC State’ to ‘On’. Make relevant changes to mode, temperature, and fan speed. Tap 'Done,' then ‘Next’.

Step 8: Tap on ‘+’ icon. Select Home Thermostat, and tap ‘Next’.

Step 9: Tap on ‘Change Preset’. Select ‘Away’ preset. Tap Next.

Step 10: Tap on ‘Create Link’.