Preparing for Your Big Day

Posted on: 16 June 2023

Electric furnaces may be less complicated than gas furnaces or heat pumps, but that doesn't make maintenance any less important. Without regularly scheduled maintenance, many components of your electric furnace can malfunction.  Your furnace's all-important heating elements are particularly vulnerable to faults and damage if they are poorly maintained.

What Are Heating Elements In Electric Furnaces?

Your electric furnace's heating elements are responsible for generating heat, before it is distributed through your home by vents and blower fans. They are made from tightly coiled tubes of metal, ceramic, or metal with a thin ceramic coating. An electric current is passed through these tubes, causing them to heat up due to electrical resistance.

What Is Involved In Maintained Electric Furnace Heating Elements?

Heating element maintenance is a multi-step process, and includes the following key tasks:

Check For Damage

Heating elements in modern electric furnaces are built to last, but the powerful electrical currents that pass through then can still do damage over time. As heating elements age, they may become cracked or pitted, reducing their heating power. Ceramic coatings can also become cracked or flaky, causing similar problems. Your heating elements should be inspected for visible damage at least once a year.

Element Cleaning

Dust and dirt can accumulate on heating elements over time. Layers of dust act as heat insulation, and reduce the amount of usable heat the elements can create. Dust can also create 'hot spots', causing parts of the element to overheat. Overheating elements are much more vulnerable to cracking. A soft cloth or brush should be used to remove any dust or debris.

Check For Electrical Faults

The wiring that supplies electricity to the heating elements is a common point of failure, and should be inspected for damage on a regular basis. Connections should also be inspected and tested, as loose connections can become serious electrocution hazards.  The heating element itself should also be tested with a multimeter, which will detect faults with the element's electrical conductivity.

Can You Maintain Heating Elements Yourself?

If you are comfortable poking around in your electric furnace's innards, you can perform essential heating element maintenance tasks yourself. However, in many cases, it is safer and easier to have the maintenance performed by a professional heating system maintenance service. 

Testing electrical connections can be extremely dangerous if the furnace is not completely disconnected from its power supply first, and multimeters can be difficult to use for novices. Cleaning the elements can also be unexpectedly complicated — the natural oils on your skin have a corrosive effect on heating elements, and you may accidentally damage your element if you touch it with your bare hands.

Calling in the professionals eliminates these risks, and ensures that your electric furnace gets the best possible care. Professional services can also carry out other essential furnace maintenance tasks, such as filter cleaning/replacement, blower fan lubrication, and thermostat calibration.

For help with heating maintenance, contact an HVAC service in your area.