Not all homes have access to a natural gas pipeline to provide power to heating systems, stoves, ovens, and laundry machines. When it comes to providing winter warmth for these houses, there are a number of options available. The electric furnace is one of the most common. Electric furnaces are reliable, require fewer repairs than natural gas systems, and can last for many years.
But even with excellent regular maintenance, an electric furnace may run into repair issues at some time in its service life. Below we’ve listed a few of the more common. Keep a watch for inferior furnace performance so you’ll know it’s time to contact a licensed professional for furnace repair.
Trouble with the sequencer
An electric furnace works by turning on a series of electric heating elements that generate heat through coils, much like the heating elements in a toaster or electric oven. But the heating elements cannot all turn on at once, since this will overload the circuit. Instead, a component called the sequencer staggers out turning the elements on and off. A broken sequencer can result in a tripped circuit breaker or a furnace that isn’t turning on enough heating elements for warmth.
Burnt-out blower motor
The blower motor runs the fan that sends air through the heating elements and then into the ventilation system. If the motor collects too much dust or loses lubrication, it can overheat and fuse the wires in its casing. If the fan for your electric furnace stops working entirely, you may need to have a burnt-out motor replaced.
Broken heating elements
The individual heating elements in an electric furnace can burn out or stop working because of broken wiring. If this happens, you’ll probably detect a noticeable decline in the warmth in your home. However, an HVAC technician can replace the broken heating element to restore the furnace’s operation.
Broken limit control
The limit control switch is a mechanism designed to stop the furnace from overheating. A faulty limit control may shut the furnace down immediately when it attempts to come on. Or it may fail to turn the furnace off in case of overheating. Usually, fixing this requires replacing the limit control switch.
Other electric wiring malfunctions
Electric troubles are responsible for most heating system failures, and this includes gas furnaces and heat pumps as well. Loose or corroding wiring and broken relays are among the more common troubles that can cause problems for an electric furnace. The thermostat could lose its connection to the furnace, which can either cause the furnace not to turn on or not to turn off. A repair technician can accurately diagnose the trouble and apply the correct repair.
An important reminder: repair work for an electric furnace needs to be done by a licensed HVAC professional. People often assume that only gas furnaces require professional attention, but electric furnaces need it as well. For both gas and electric furnace repair in Salem, OR and throughout the state, contact our team. We’ve been in business since 1961 and have the experience to see any job gets done right.
Comfort Flow Heating serves all of Oregon.
