A system includes an aftertreatment system coupled to an engine, a heater, at least one sensor configured to determine an exhaust gas temperature, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is structured to determine whether the exhaust gas temperature is at or below a predefined threshold temperature; provide a first command to control the heater in response to the exhaust gas temperature being at or below the predefined threshold temperature; selectively provide a second command to increase the exhaust gas temperature; and coordinate the first and second commands, where the first command is provided followed by the second command only if the predefined threshold temperature is not attained by the first command.