How Does an Electric Furnace Work?
An electric furnace efficiently heats homes using an electric heating element to generate warmth. Unlike gas or oil furnaces, this system offers a cleaner, quieter operation and requires minimal installation effort.
Knowing how an electric furnace works will help you understand maintenance procedures and common troubleshooting techniques to keep your heating system running smoothly and lasting longer.
Let’s take a close look at how this heating system works.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- An electric furnaces heats your home by using heating elements, a blower motor and fan, and a control thermostat. Sequencers and electrical relays prevent electrical surges by activating heating elements gradually. These systems are clean, efficient, and quieter than gas or oil alternatives.
- Regular maintenance, such as replacing air filters, cleaning blower components, inspecting electrical connections, testing the thermostat, and scheduling annual professional servicing, is crucial to ensure efficient furnace performance and prevent costly repairs.
- Address furnace problems like power loss, insufficient heat, or blower fan issues by checking the circuit breaker, air filters, and wiring connections. For more complex issues like faulty heating elements or motor problems, schedule professional HVAC repair service.
The Mechanics Behind an Electric Furnace
Electric furnaces rely on electricity to heat air that circulates throughout your home. The system consists of several key components:
Heating Elements
The heating elements in an electric furnace are made of nickel-chromium alloy wire coils. These coils heat quickly when electric current flows through them. They can heat to temperatures over 1000 degrees and are extremely resistant to oxidation. These properties make them perfect for heating air in electric furnaces.
Blower Motor and Fan
The blower motor powers a fan that sends air through the heating element and then distributes the heated air through your home’s ductwork to warm your living spaces.
Control Thermostat
The thermostat serves as the control center, monitoring indoor temperature and signaling the furnace to turn on or off as needed to maintain set temperature.
Sequencers and Electrical Relays
These components ensure heating elements activate gradually rather than all at once, preventing an electrical surge.
When the thermostat calls for heat, electricity flows to the heating elements and they get red hot. Air drawn into the furnace by the blower passes over these elements, warms up, and flows through the ducts to heat the house.
Essential Maintenance Tips for Your Electric Furnace
Routine maintenance improves efficiency and prevents costly repairs. Follow these tips to keep your electric furnace in top condition:
Replace Air Filters Regularly
Dirty filters restrict airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder. Replace or clean the filter every 1-3 months, depending on usage and household conditions.
Clean the Blower Components
Dust and debris often accumulate on the blower blades and motor. Turn off the furnace, remove the access panel, and gently clean these parts with a soft cloth or vacuum attachment.
If you’re not confident that you can safely complete this task yourself, schedule HVAC maintenance and cleaning service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home to clean and tune up the furnace.
Inspect and Tighten Electrical Connections
Loose electrical connections can lead to overheating and component failure. Periodically shut off the house circuit breakers for the furnace and check wires and terminals for any signs of wear or damage.
Schedule furnace repair if you find electrical damage that you can’t fix yourself.
Test the Thermostat
A malfunctioning thermostat can disrupt your furnace’s operation. Test its accuracy by comparing the set temperature to a reliable room thermometer.
If inconsistencies occur, recalibrate or replace the thermostat.
Schedule Annual Professional Cleaning and Maintenance
Booking annual professional heating system maintenance will help ensure that your electric furnace runs smoothly all winter long.
A professional HVAC technician can identify potential issues and ensure all components function properly. Include an annual inspection in your home maintenance schedule.
Troubleshooting Common Electric Furnace Issues
Even with proper maintenance, issues may occasionally arise. Here’s how to troubleshoot common problems:
Furnace Won’t Turn On
When your electric furnace has no power, check the house circuit breaker.
Tripped breakers often cause power loss. Reset the breaker and try again.
If the circuit breakers aren’t tripped, inspect the control thermostat. Ensure the thermostat is set to “heat” and the temperature is above the current room temperature.
If the thermostat has no power or isn’t working, replace it.
Insufficient Heat
When your electric furnace isn’t heating well, check the air filter. Replace the air filter if it’s extremely dirty and clogged. A clogged air filter blocks airflow through the furnace and significantly reduces reducing heating efficiency.
If a clogged air filter isn’t causing the heating problem, inspect the heating elements. If one or more elements fail, the furnace won’t generate enough heat.
Schedule HVAC repair to have a service technician replace faulty elements.
Blower Fan Won’t Run
Shut off the house circuit breakers for the furnace and check the fan motor wiring connections. Reconnect any loose wires and repair any broken wires.
Here’s a DIY repair video that shows how to repair wiring:
If you fix wiring yourself, be sure to use the right gauge (size) of wire to prevent electrical problems. Have a service technician fix the wiring if you’re not confident that you can safely repair it yourself.
A bad motor capacitor or a seized fan motor can also prevent the blower fan from running. A service technician will need to diagnose and repair these types of blower fan failures.
Unusual Noises
Rattling and grinding noises can be caused by loose fasteners. Shut off the house circuit breakers for the furnace and then tighten screws, nuts and bolts to eliminate the noise.
Squealing noises could indicate that the blower motor was worn bearings. You’ll need to have a service technician fix this type of mechanical problem.
Understanding how your electric furnace works will help you perform maintenance and DIY repairs to keep the system running smoothly and lasting longer.
Furnace repairs that you can’t complete on your own can be costly. Consider investing in a home warranty to cover unexpected electric furnace repairs.
Sears Home Services is always here to help you with all of your heating system and home appliance needs. Contact us whenever you need help and we’ll take care of all of your repair and maintenance needs.
Schedule your furnace repair now!
Backed by years of experience, our technicians possess the skills necessary to fix your furnace. And because our techs our local, they can fix it for you fast.
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Repair Furnace Resources
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Discover the top 5 furnace problems and solutions in 2024. Trust Sears Home Services for expert help and reliable solutions.
Discover the factors that influence the average lifespan of a furnace, signs it needs replacement, and how to prolong its life with tips from Sears Home Services.
Glossary Terms
A furnace is a major appliance that heats air distributed throughout a home or building via a ductwork system.
A furnace blower motor is a crucial component of a home heating system that drives the fan responsible for circulating air throughout the HVAC system and into the living spaces of the home.
A furnace condensate pump is a device installed in HVAC systems, particularly high-efficiency furnaces, to collect and automatically remove the water (condensate) produced during the heating process.
A furnace door is a crucial component of a home heating system, providing access to the interior of the furnace for maintenance, repairs, and inspections. It helps in maintaining the system's efficiency and safety.
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