Electric furnaces can be an expensive investment for almost any size home due to electricity costs (actual units are inexpensive). Electric furnaces also have a variety of maintenance related issues that every owner and potential consumer should be aware of. Electric furnaces can become extremely energy inefficient and costly if they are not working to potential. This article will take a look at 10 maintenance tips to conserve energy and make sure the unit is running efficiently.
1. Frayed or damaged wires?
Frayed or damaged wires are the easiest way to be wasting valuable electricity money on nothing. Damaged wires not only pose a safety and fire hazard, but they also make the electric furnace very inefficient.
2. Fuse burnt out?
Replacing fuses are part of regular maintenance for electric furnaces; replacement fuses can be found at almost any hardware store. Make sure you replace the fuse with the correct replacement; you will be surprised to learn how many different varieties there are when you go to the store.
3. Bring the replacement fuse into the store!
Replacing fuses is all part of regular maintenance. While working at a neighborhood hardware store I have had angry customers that cannot get the proper replacement because they did not bring in the original. By bringing in the original fuse you will save on time and frustration with this simple electric furnace maintenance.
4. Did you check your thermostat recently?
Electric furnaces produce more or less heat depending on the attached thermostat reading; if the thermostat is not working properly the house temperature will be considerably off.
5. How often do you replace filters?
Electric furnaces require the use of furnace filters, which should be replaced regularly. Furnace filters can be found at almost any home improvement or hardware store inexpensively. You can tell when the filter needs to be replaced just by looking at it.
6. Have you had an expert come in recently?
An important part of electric furnace maintenance is having an expert come in annually for routine maintenance and check up.
7. Checking the blower fan
Electric furnaces are typically used in smaller areas or apartments, which makes the efficiency of the blower fan very important. The blower fan allows for heat dispersion, but if it stops working the unit will be wasting energy by not dispersing heat in the entire room.
8. Importance of amps (heating mechanism)
The heating mechanism’s amps should be checked regularly to make sure the unit is working at maximum efficiency.
9. Check for anything out the ordinary
Before each cool season turn off the electric furnace and turn it back on and listen and look for anything that seems “off”. Any damaged parts of the entire unit or odd sounds should be cause for concern.
10. Have you read the manual?
There is little maintenance on electric furnaces besides checking efficiency of the machine, but every unit is different. Read the manual that came with your furnace to see what the manufacturer recommends for optimal performance.
Sources:
Personal experience working for a hardware store
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=gh5981
http://www.acdirect.com/new_faq/info_sizing_electric_furnaces_1.php
http://www.house-energy.com/Heaters/Electric-Furnaces.htm
