Which Heating System Type Fails Most Often Along The Texas Gulf Coast?
While I don’t have the exact reason why, I suspect it’s due to the colder weather causing longer run times which in turn might cause the components that may be on the edge of failure, to finally give up.
With the abundance of homes using natural gas, we don’t see gas furnace failure as much as we do with an electric system. It could be that almost all of us have a gas furnace sized to match our a/c blower requirements. This makes our furnaces slightly oversized which results in lower run times, giving generally more durability.
Electric furnaces are somewhat more of a custom fit. Installation companies can order the electric heating capacity that suits the size of the building better. A great example of an electric heater can be found on most kitchen countertops in the form of a toaster. If you’ve seen the glowing coil inside your toaster while waiting for your English muffin to pop up, then you can understand that something similar is happening in your electric heater only on a much larger scale and with air circulation to help get that warmth into the living space.
The most common failures are one or more broken heat strips. This results in the lack of adequate heat in your home. Stuck on or stuck off relays can cause, continuous heat operation or failure to come on. Failure to come on is certainly uncomfortable, but you can always layer warmer clothes while waiting for the AirVantage tech team to arrive. Note: failure of the system to turn off is something you need to be aware of & want to do something about… quickly.
The 1st step is to turn off the power supply at the breaker panel for the electric heater. It should be marked in the main breaker panel since this makes it easier to find. If the heater breaker is not marked, mark it with a marker “heater” for easy viewing. This will make the heater breaker easy to find should you experience a similar situation.
4 Factors To Increase Heating System Life Expectancy
Maintenance and Care
Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity of any heating system. It’s a fact that both electric and gas furnaces need periodic maintenance to ensure they are functioning efficiently. Electric furnaces might have an edge here due to their simpler design, but being lax with your maintenance schedule can still lead to premature failure.
Heating Cycles
Electric furnaces are known for their frequent on-off cycles, which can cause wear and tear on components like heating elements and relays. Gas furnaces, while having fewer cycles, undergo more intense temperature changes during each cycle. This constant expansion and contraction can also contribute to wear.
Environmental Factors
The environment in which the furnace operates can play a significant role, especially in our Gulf Coast communities. As an example, a gas furnace in an area with corrosive air quality might experience faster deterioration. Electric furnaces are generally less affected by environmental conditions.
Installation Quality
Proper installation is paramount. Poor installation can lead to inefficiencies, uneven heating, and increased strain on the system, shortening its lifespan. Professional installation, whether for electric or gas furnaces, can mitigate these issues.
Is There A Solution?
The very best thing you can do to prevent an electric furnace failure is to opt for an annual heater and furnace check-up.
AirVantage has special pricing on this and will go a long way to prevent these types of problems. Open the calendar on your computer or phone and add a note to call AirVantage for a heater checkup with our phone number…409-354-1234. Mid to late October is a great time to do this.
If you find yourself waking up sweating bullets, chances are a relay is stuck on. Call AirVantage service experts now… 409-354-1234. We are available to help and we’ll be happy to speak with you about all your comfort needs.
AirVantage is an Authorised American Standard Dealer. See The Complete American Standard Heating System Line-up.