hvac strip heaters will not come on unless i bump up 2 or more degree thermostat will not ask for help

Heat pumps are designed to hold the temperature inside the home rated at the design degree day for the location. The strip heat (back up heat) comes on when the heat pump can no longer supply enough heat to maintain 68 deg. in side temp, normal operation, the strips will energize when the indoor temp drops 2 deg below the thermostat set point. Example: Thermostat is set at 68 deg. F, the indoor temperature must drop to 66 deg. before the heat strips will come on. On cold days the heat pump should run 90% to 100% of the time to hold the temperature inside. It sounds like your unit is operating as it should.