Working as a Heating Professional Can Lead to Success

2 Warning Signs Your Electric Furnace Needs Repairs

27 July 2022

Abbie Wade

Electric furnaces are not as common as gas furnaces because electricity is a more expensive energy source than gas. But electric furnaces are an ideal option for homes situated in areas without gas supply lines. 

However, electric furnaces still incur various malfunctions when components start wearing out. Thus, electric furnace owners should learn how to detect and troubleshoot various furnace issues. Knowing the signs of a malfunctioning electric furnace enables you to schedule prompt repairs. And can help you avoid a furnace breakdown or high energy bills. 

Here are two warning signs that you need electric furnace repairs. 

1. Tripping Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers trip whenever there is an electrical overload in your electrical system. If your circuit breaker trips every time you turn on your electric furnace, the furnace is drawing in too much power. 

The only time an electric furnace overloads an electrical system is when the sequencer malfunctions. An electric furnace has several heating elements that provide heat. The sequencer alternates the heating elements to prevent them from burning out quickly. It ensures that the furnace only uses a few heating elements at any time. 

But if the sequencer incurs damages or malfunctions, it may allow all the heating elements to work simultaneously. When that happens, the furnace draws in more power because all the heating elements are active at the same time. As a result, your circuit breaker detects the power overload and trips. 

Thus, if your circuit breaker trips when you turn on your electric furnace, have a furnace repair contractor inspect the sequencer. 

2. Short Cycling Furnace

Short cycling is when your electric furnace turns on and off repeatedly within a short time. 

A safety feature known as the limit control switch handles the cycles of an electric furnace. The limit control switch ensures your electric furnace doesn't incur damages due to overheating. Thus, when the furnace reaches critical temperatures, the limit control switch turns off the furnace. Once the furnace cools down, the limit control switch turns the furnace back on. 

Hence, there are two reasons why an electric furnace can short cycle. The first reason is overheating. If your furnace overheats within a short time, the limit control switch will frequently turn it on and off to prevent damage. Hence, short cycling occurs.

The second reason that might cause the short cycling is a malfunctioning limit control switch. If the limit control switch malfunctions, it may fail to detect the correct temperatures in the furnace. As a result, it will sporadically turn the furnace on and off, resulting in over cycling. 

Thus, if your electric furnace turns on and off within a short period, call a furnace repair contractor to check it out. If the limit control switch is the issue, the contractor can replace it with a new one. 

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