Troubleshooting an Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces have operational problems that are mostly their own. Here are some of the most common concerns with electric furnaces that can help determine if you need an emergency repair service.

Unit Won’t Run

Before embarrassing yourself by calling a repairman haphazardly, check first if the unit is plugged or switched on. If it is plugged but still won’t turn on, check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers at the main entrance panel. If nothing’s wrong with the external circuitry, then the problem may be inside the furnace itself – which should ideally be checked by a professional.

Short Cycling

This occurs when the furnace repeatedly turns on and off quickly, sometimes within minutes. A common reason for this is a dirty filter. Check the filter first, and replace it if it’s already clogged with dust and debris. If you have a reusable filter, wash and dry it adequately before putting it back in. Another reason for this is blower malfunction. Oftentimes, cleaning and lubrication may be required. You can also choose to check your thermostat’s battery to ensure there isn’t a problem with wrong commands being sent to the unit.

Unit Keeps on Running

When this happens, you might be dealing with issues regarding the blower and relays. Sometimes, the blower control is set wrong and can be fixed by resetting the thermostat from ON to AUTO. If this doesn’t work, then the relays may be malfunctioning and you’d be better off calling on a skilled technician. 

When to Call for an Emergency Furnace Repair

You finally come home from a rough, icy drive on a cold, bitter night. It was freezing, and you’re looking to get comfy, so you reach out to turn up the dial on your thermostat and find your furnace has ceased to hum and won’t heat up. Your worst fear is unfolding in the midst of a freezing night. However, don’t hit the panic button just yet. Before calling for an emergency repair service, you may be able to check out and troubleshoot a few things yourself.

Check the basics—power supply, temperature, and gas supply (if unit is gas-powered). Check the main breaker to confirm if the power is on, then make sure the power in the equipment is turned on, as well. Afterwards, go to the wall thermostat and double-check the settings. If it’s set to heat, then it should be pumping out heat. If the furnace is blowing cold air, make sure the fan is set to auto, and not on. For gas-powered units, check if the meter is on, and verify that the tank is not empty.

If the furnace powers on but some rooms aren’t receiving heat, then the problem must be in the air ducts themselves. Check the filters within the ducts for clogs like dirt and grime, as these restrict air flow and overwork the machine. Clean them and put them back on.

If the abovementioned fixes do not work at all, then it is time to call for a 24/7 emergency furnace repair service.

How to Keep your Furnace from Breaking Down

Your home’s furnace does an exhaustive job of keeping your family warm all night and all day, so it should be perfectly understandable that, if left unattended for long periods, it could get worn out. As a precautionary measure though, there are a few things that you can do to ensure the longevity of your furnace.

Cleaning Filters

It might not be much to think about at first glance, but a dirty air furnace isn’t just a filthy thing to have in your house; it can also cause all sorts of performance or air quality problems for your heater. This is why it’s always important to clean or change your filters whenever necessary (whichever one is best based on manufacturer instructions).