You never want an electric furnace to stop working in the middle of winter. But a heater blowing cool or lukewarm air isn’t an uncommon issue. In case your electric furnace is not heating your home, we’ll cover possible reasons why and explain some ways to troubleshoot and fix them.
Common Reasons for an Electric Furnace Not Heating
- The Furnace Is Warming Up: Your furnace needs some time to warm up the first time you turn it on for the season. Also, cold ductwork may be losing some heat at first. When the ducts warm up, heated air will reach room vents. It’s also possible there’s a hole, gap, or tear in a duct.
- The Thermostat Isn’t Set Right: If you’re not getting warm air, check the thermostat. Is it switched to “Auto” or “On”? In automatic mode, it will circulate air only when the furnace is running. However, if the blower is constantly on, air may be circulated whether there’s a heating cycle or not.
- The Air Filter Is Clogged: If the filter hasn’t been replaced in a while, it may be so dusty that air cannot properly flow through the system. The furnace can overheat. The unit will shut off if it has a high-limit switch; otherwise, severe damage can occur. Replace the filter to see if this fixes the problem.
Common Problems to Troubleshoot
Electric furnaces can develop various issues. Depending on the cause, you may be able to troubleshoot and fix it yourself. Otherwise, you’ll need a professional to diagnose and fix any potential problems. These are some reasons for your electric furnace not heating:
It Won’t Turn On
The furnace should start running if it’s cold outside. If not, your home will get cold and your family will be uncomfortable and at risk of illness. First, check if there’s a power outage, press the furnace’s reset button, or check for or reset a tripped circuit breaker. These are simple reasons a furnace won’t turn on and not a sign it needs repair.
There’s No Heat
If your electric furnace is not heating your home, first try to adjust the thermostat. If it’s set too low, raise it a few degrees and wait about 20 minutes. You won’t need to do anything else if the unit starts producing heat.
Otherwise, check the filter for dust and debris. If necessary, clean or replace the filter. If this doesn’t work, check the fan and blower, especially if there’s poor airflow, you hear noise when the heat is on, there are burning odors, or your energy bill is higher.
The Blower Doesn’t Stop
If the blower runs constantly, it can strain the furnace and increase your energy bills. Check the thermostat setting; it should be set to “On”. If so, or you adjust it and the issue persists, call a professional. There could be a faulty relay that only an HVAC technician can fix.
The Unit Is Noisy
Furnaces can make noise for lots of reasons. If the unit is noisier than usual, see if the access panel is loose, which is a common source of banging sounds. These can often be resolved by tightening the panel’s bolts. A loose belt can also cause noise. Readjust the belt if it’s loose or unhinged; you can try lubricating it as well. If the belt is broken, call a professional to replace it.
Call Hays for Electric Furnace Repair
As winter approaches, our team can make sure your furnace is ready to keep you warm. We provide high-quality heating services in the Phoenix area. Our licensed technicians will perform a full assessment and find a solution to the issue you are having. If your electric furnace is not heating your home and the suggestions above don’t help, call 602-482-0229 today.
