Does an Electric Furnace Require Maintenance?

Electric furnaces are common in our area, specifically for small homes that fit nestled in a tight-knit neighborhood. These houses often don’t have the space or the access to natural gas that is required for a gas furnace, and heat pumps can usually be too much of an initial investment for customers on a strict budget—so the electric furnace is the next best thing.

But we want our customers to be aware: electric furnaces do require maintenance. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why electric heating unit maintenance in Gloucester County, NJ is so important and what this kind of service can do. If you’ve been delaying service or your system has been running harder lately, it’s a sign you may need heating maintenance soon, especially before winter hits.

For homeowners in Mullica Hill, South Harrison Township, and Elk, NJ, we’re available right now to schedule this service so you can get it out of the way.

Does an electric furnace need maintenance?

Yes, electric furnaces need regular maintenance to stay efficient and safe:

• Replace or clean the air filter to maintain airflow
• Inspect the blower fan and motor for wear or dust buildup
• Check ductwork and wiring for leaks or loose connections
• Test safety controls like the limit switch to prevent overheating
  

Why Even Electric Furnaces Require Routine Maintenance

An electric furnace is a forced-air heating system, which means it heats the air in your home using an electric coil. This is one of the most convenient and accessible ways of heating a home, and it’s also extremely effective. The problem with this is that your furnace relies on a blower fan that is moving throughout the day.

A quick rule of thumb: any components that have movement require maintenance and might not last as long without it.

Your blower fan and the other sensitive parts of your furnace need maintenance every year to ensure they don’t come out of alignment or start rubbing up against the housing.

How to Inspect Ducts and Electrical Components in Electric Furnaces

Since your electric furnace is a forced-air heating system, it also relies on ductwork. If the ducts in your house are broken, leaking, or misaligned, your system will simply not work as well as it should. This is when maintenance is essential, since we can detect these problems right away.

Also, we’ll evaluate your electrical panel to ensure your furnace has adequate electricity and that it’s not pulling too much from your grid.

What Technicians Check During Electric Furnace Maintenance

The limit switch is a component that keeps your furnace from overheating and getting damaged. We inspect this component and all the other parts of your furnace as part of a routine safety inspection to make sure your system isn’t going to shut down abruptly during the winter with no ability to turn back on again. This is one of the key steps covered in furnace tune-ups that protect your system and improve long-term performance.

Filter Maintenance Tips for Optimal Airflow in Electric Furnaces

Have you changed the air filter of your electric furnace this year? It’s okay if you haven’t; we can do it for you during a maintenance visit. This is a vital part of taking care of your electric furnace. It’s a forced-air system, which means that it heats the air in your home, essentially going through massive volumes of air during peak winter temperatures.

Eventually, the air filter will get clogged up with dust, dirt, pet dander, hair, and other contaminants that make it harder for your furnace to work properly. Do yourself a favor and change out the air filter so the system is ready for the season ahead. Better yet, pair this with our winter HVAC prep checklist to make sure nothing is overlooked before the cold weather fully sets in.

Schedule heating maintenance with Ambient Comfort today!