We’re getting the first cool weather of the season here in Orange County, which brings some relief from a long, often extremely hot summer. Now is when you’ll turn on your electric furnace for the first time in… well, we wouldn’t even want to guess how long.
Because your electric furnace has sat unused for a long time, you might feel nervous when you have to turn it on. Maybe it won’t work? And if it does work, how long will it continue to heat the house?
Okay, as the post title makes clear, we’re here to talk to you because your electric furnace isn’t working. You may need our technicians for furnace repair in San Juan Capistrano, CA. But first, let’s take a look at why an electric furnace might be giving you trouble. It’s possible there’s a simple issue you’ve overlooked.
A tripped circuit breaker
This is one of the most common problems an electric furnace can create. Even gas furnaces can trip a circuit breaker because of the blower fan motor. But the amount of voltage an electric furnace demands is more likely to overwhelm its circuit than a gas furnace—especially if there’s trouble with the furnace’s sequencer and the heating elements all turn on at once. If your furnace isn’t running at all, see if there’s a tripped breaker. Reset it, then see if the furnace works. If the breaker trips again, there’s a more serious issue with the furnace that requires attention.
A burnt-out furnace fuse
We don’t mean a “fuse box” for the house. We hope your home doesn’t have one of those but a standard circuit breaker panel. The furnace has its fuses that can burn out and need replacement. If you don’t know how to check on this or change the fuses, please call us.
Clogged furnace filter
One of the “tried-and-true” resolutions to furnace issues is changing a clogged filter. A dirty furnace filter can cause the heater to shut down or fail to heat up enough air. We recommend changing the filter before the furnace starts to work for the season (it’s probably the same filter the AC uses) to give the furnace a clean start. If replacing the filter doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll need to look elsewhere or call us for repairs—but it never hurts to change a clogged filter!
Examine the thermostat
Basic thermostat errors are one reason a furnace won’t start. If you have a programmable thermostat, it may still be on its summer settings. Make adjustments to account for the temperature change. Be cautious about raising the thermostat setting just to force the furnace to activate if it’s not coming on at the expected setting: this is attempting to compensate for what may be a problem with the furnace. If you keep pushing up the temperature settings, it’s time to call us for repairs instead.
We can get to the bottom of the problem with your electric furnace quickly and have it back to work. We can also arrange for a new electric furnace installation if it looks as if your furnace is too old for the job.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air has served Orange County since 1981. Call us for your heating needs.