My pellet stove was off this morning as it ran out of pellets overnight. Current outside temps are 7 degrees, and feels like temp is -6.  My downstairs was cold! Thermostat was showing 62. I have my nest thermostat set for the auxiliary heat to take over for the compressor around 27 degrees as that’s where it seems like compressor is no longer effective in making heat. 

And obviously the auxiliary heat is then running, the heat it’s putting out is pretty lukewarm. My unit is all electric, no gas. I measured 67-69 degrees at the vents. I recall my old unit being much warmer on auxiliary heat. Which brings me to I just had that old unit replaced this summer which was an Ameristar, replaced with Trane/American standard.

So, anyway, I walk to my basement and check out the breaker on the side of the air handler. 60 amp double pole breaker. It’s off. Little red indicator exposed. 

Which all that said. I’m confused on the purpose of this breaker. Is it for the auxiliary heat strips? Is it a complete shut off for the air handler? What exactly is it for? I went back and found a photo of the day it was installed and in that photo the breaker is in the off position too. So it’s been off the entire time. 🤷🏻‍♂️ the photos from my old air handler had its breakers on. 

I’m sure this is a pretty basic question, go easy on me. lol

Auxiliary heat not warm. Breaker off on air handler?