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5 Electric Furnace Troubleshooting Tips

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An electric furnace is an efficient, reliable way to keep cozy in the winter. Chances are, if you have an electric furnace, you’ve been happy with it and had few problems. With regular maintenance, an electric furnace can even keep you warm for twenty years! However, if you do encounter a problem, it may be confusing or frustrating. Perhaps you’ve previously had a gas boiler, and are used to doing things like checking the pilot light. But how do you troubleshoot problems with an electric furnace?

We’re going to talk you through five common symptoms your electric furnace might experience, and give you some idea of what might be causing those problems. 

1: A Tripped Circuit Breaker

If your electric furnace has been overloading a circuit, when previously it seemed that the circuit handled the load of the furnace just fine, the source of the problem is likely to be the sequencer. This component ensures that the heating elements turn on in sequence, rather than all at once. If the sequencer fails, and all the heating elements come on simultaneously, your electric furnace can easily overload the circuit breaker.

2: A Burning Smell

If there’s a brief scent of burnt dust when you first turn your heat on for the season, this is likely just the dust that settled on the heating element during the summer burning away. If the burning smell persists, or happens at a time when you’ve been using your heat regularly, or you also notice that the blower fan has stopped working, call for repairs. Too much dust or too little lubrication in the blower motor can cause overheating. When the electrical wires heat up enough, they will fuse together, leaving you with a bad smell and a broken fan.

3: A Lack of Heat

If your home is just no longer able to get quite warm enough, it may be that one or more of the heating elements in your system has failed. With some elements still heating, there will be some warm air circulating, but it just won’t cut it on a cold night. When you call for help with your electric furnace in Pensacola Beach, a technician can repair or replace elements and restore your heat to its full capacity.

4: Overheating

If your electric furnace doesn’t shut off when it reaches its target temperature, and the temperature just keeps rising, the culprit is probably the limit control switch. This component can simply be replaced by a technician, so you won’t have to feel like a lobster in a pot.

5: Not Turning On

If your house drops to a too-low temperature and your electric furnace fails to kick on, the problem could have to do with either the thermostat itself or the wiring which connects the thermostat to the furnace. An experienced professional will be able to determine the exact problem and provide a solution.

A Safety Reminder

If you notice these or any other indicators that something is wrong with your electric furnace, do not attempt to repair it yourself. To keep yourself safe from the risk of electric shock, to keep your home and family safe from potential fire hazards of amateur electrical work, and to keep your furnace working its best, it is important that all repairs be done by a licensed, trained professional. 

For professional furnace repair, look no further than Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc.  Contact us today!

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