If you want to reduce your monthly energy usage and cost, take a look at how many watts your electric furnace uses. The more efficient your furnace is, the less energy it requires. We have created an outline to help you learn more about how wattage factors into furnace operation.
How Much Electricity Does a Furnace Use?
The average electric furnace uses anywhere from 10,000 and 50,000 watts of electricity, 60 to 80 amps, and 220 volts. At the end of the day, how many watts an electric furnace uses depends on how frequently it’s used and how many cycles it runs throughout the day
Watts, Amps, Voltage: What Do They Mean?
Watts
Watts is short for wattage. Watts are utilized to measure the amount of electrical power output. In other words, furnace watts tell you how fast your electric HVAC system consumes electricity.
Amps
Amps is short for amperes. Amps are used to measure electrical current. Amps tell you how many electrons travel through a circuit.
Volts
Volts is short for voltage. Volts are utilized to measure the difference in electrical potential difference between two points. Volts tell you how fast electricity travels through a circuit.
6 Types of Electric Furnace Issues
Check out the six most common electrical furnace issues today’s homeowners face.
1. Bad Heating Element
A malfunctioning or broken heating element can hinder your furnace from turning on at all. In addition, a damaged heating element can negatively impact the amount of watts your electric furnace uses. It only takes one bad part to put the whole system in jeopardy. Thankfully, a bad heating element is generally easy to detect and can be fixed with a simple repair or replacement.
2. Malfunctioning Blower Motor
The blower motor pushes the heated air your furnace produces through the duct system. When the blower motor malfunctions, your furnace has no way of circulating the heat it produces throughout your home. It can also cause the furnace to overheat. If you hear your furnace running cycles but don’t feel a temperature difference, check the blower motor to see if it’s working properly.
3. Problems With the Sequencer
When your furnace is at risk of overloading with electrical demand, the sequencer turns off certain components to prevent this from happening. If the sequencer malfunctions or breaks, your furnace could shut down completely.
4. Broken Limit Switch
By limiting the amount of what it produces, the limit switch ensures your furnace doesn’t overheat. A broken limit switch can cause overheating and a system breakdown.
5. Outdated Electrical System
An outdated electrical system increases the probability of encountering furnace issues. Here are some common furnace problems associated with an outdated electrical system.
- The furnace doesn’t receive enough electricity
- The furnace experiences an electrical surge
- The thermostat malfunctions
6. Clogged Air Filter
A dirty air filter can cause a host of furnace problems.
- Slow operation
- Overheating
- Underheating
- Decreased energy efficiency
- Increased energy costs
- Poor air quality
Furnace Installation and Replacement Services
If you are experiencing issues with your electric furnace, give our professionals a call at (860) 325-7836 to book an appointment. Our technicians provide dependable HVAC repair services in Stamford, CT and other areas. We offer a variety of HVAC solutions such as furnace repair, boiler maintenance, air conditioning installation, and furnace replacement. Our certified HVAC technicians will help you achieve superior indoor comfort and optimal energy savings.
We service the following heating systems:
- Gas, oil, and electric furnaces
- Gas and oil boilers
- Radiant floor heating
- Heat pumps
If you need help choosing the right heating system for your home, we can help with that too. All you have to do is schedule an appointment and our team will take care of the rest.