In many households across the nation, electric furnaces provide clean, comfortable, convenient warmth. In addition to having no monthly fuel bill to pay, homeowners are also spared the potential issues associated with plumbing fuel supply lines to their furnace or storing propane or fuel oil in a tank on their property. But like other types of heating appliances, an electric furnace can develop repair issues that interfere with its ability to produce and distribute heat. 

If your home is heated with an electric furnace that does not seem to be working as it should, the following information can help you determine the source of the problem so that you can schedule appropriate repairs. 

Sequencer issues

Electric furnaces contain a sequencer that controls the order in which the heating elements inside the furnace cycle on and off. If the sequencer malfunctions, the heating elements may attempt to cycle on at the same time, overloading the circuit breaker and causing it to trip. Homeowners who find themselves having to reset the furnace circuit breaker frequently may need to have the sequencer component replaced to restore reliable heat. 

Blower Issues

A failed or failing blower motor or issue with the fan can leave the furnace unable to distribute the heat it creates. Blowers that do no operate correctly due to failed belts, motors, or bearings can cause an electric furnace to become overheated, risking damage to other components and increasing the possibility of igniting a fire. Since a working blower motor is necessary for the furnace to distribute heat throughout the home, immediate repairs must be made before the heating system can continue to be used. 

Heating element issues

Homeowners with electric furnaces may be dealing with one or more non-working heating elements if they notice that their furnace blower is running but no heat is being produced. In some instances, heating elements may also have stopped working because the wiring has become damaged or shorted out. In this situation, the heating repair contractor needs to rewire the furnace instead of replacing the heating elements.

Limit switch issues

In an electric furnace, a component called a limit switch works as a safety mechanism to ensure that the furnace does not produce too much heat. When a limit switch malfunctions, the furnace may either overheat or refuse to operate at all. Diagnosing and repairing an electric furnace requires the knowledge to handle high voltage electricity safely, as well as understanding how the appliance is designed to operate. Homeowners who are dealing with a malfunctioning electric furnace can get the professional assistance they need by contacting a reputable furnace repair contractor in their area. 

For more information about furnace repair, contact a local company, like Powder  River Heating &  Air Conditioning Inc.

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