How to Repair a Forced Air Electric Furnace

A forced air electric furnace is one of the most popular methods for heating a home across the United States. In many areas, gas, wood, and other potential fuel sources for furnaces are expensive or difficult to come by. Electricity can be used to heat air for distribution around the house at a much lower cost. The forced air component of the furnace will distribute the air throughout the home. If it is beginning to get cold and you find that your forced air electric furnace isn't working properly, you may be able to remedy the issue by troubleshooting the furnace problem at home. Read on for a brief guide on how to repair a forced air electric furnace.

Step 1 -- Check the Circuit

The most common reason for a furnace not running is a circuit overload. When this happens, the circuit breaker that controls electrical power flow to the furnace itself is tripped in the central circuit breaker. Locate your circuit breaker and determine which breaker switch is linked to the furnace. Check to be sure that it has not been flipped off.

Step 2 -- Check the Furnace Unit

Many types of electric furnaces have reset buttons that can help to restart the system if it should run into some kind of problem. If your furnace will not turn on and it is not the fault of a tripped circuit breaker switch, locate the reset button on your furnace and activate it. Your furnace may also have a built in breaker panel that can be switched off as well, so it's a good idea to locate this panel to reactivate it as well.

Step 3 -- Check the Comfort Controls

Some furnaces have comfort control settings programmed in. These controls are designed to prevent the furnace from being tampered with by children or by accident. Look to the comfort controls if your furnace generates heat but doesn't seem to generate enough heat.

Step 4 -- Replace the Filter and Clean the Assembly

Open up the main furnace panel by removing the screws that hold it in place with a screwdriver. Locate the furnace filter. Oftentimes a filter becomes dirty and does not allow air to pass through it easily. Purchase a replacement filter for your model of furnace and remove the old one by hand. Fit the new filter into place.

While you have the furnace open, it may also be a good idea to clean out the assembly. This can cause some backups in the distribution of air through the furnace system as well. Clean the assembly with a clean cloth.

Step 5 -- Fix Squeaky Belts

If the fan belts in your furnace are squeaking, first remedy the problem by spraying them down with fan belt dressing. If this doesn't solve the problem, you may need to remove the fan belt, as it is likely that it is becoming damaged. Replace it with another fan belt per the furnace owner's manual instructions.