When homeowners talk about electric heating problems, the conversation almost always circles back to one core component: the heating element. I hear it phrased a dozen different ways—central air heating element, furnace heating coil, electric furnace element, AC heater coil, or even gas furnace heating element. Different words, same underlying confusion.
The truth is that most people don’t fully understand what actually produces heat inside an electric furnace, how that part works, or why it fails. When you’re dealing with a system like the Goodman MBVK electric furnace, understanding the role of the heating element is essential—not just for troubleshooting, but for making informed repair decisions.
In this article, I’m going to walk through what heating elements are, how they work inside the MBVK, how they differ from gas components, and what homeowners should know about electric furnace heating element replacement, costs, symptoms, and long-term reliability. This is the kind of knowledge that prevents guesswork and saves money.
What a Heating Element Actually Is
Let’s start with fundamentals.
A heating element is a resistive electrical component that converts electrical energy into heat. When current flows through the element, resistance causes it to heat up. Air is then blown across that hot surface and delivered through the duct system.
In HVAC terminology, you’ll hear several overlapping phrases used to describe this part:
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furnace heating element
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electric furnace heating element
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electric furnace heating coils
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furnace heating coil
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heating coil HVAC
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electric furnace element
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heating element for air handler
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heating element for central heat
They all describe the same functional component: the device that actually makes heat in an electric system.
The Role of Heating Elements in the Goodman MBVK
The Goodman MBVK is an electric furnace designed to work as either a standalone electric heat source or as part of a heat pump system. Inside the cabinet, one or more electric heating elements are installed in stages.
These stages allow the system to:
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Match heat output to demand
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Reduce electrical load spikes
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Improve comfort
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Prevent overheating
Each stage contains a heating coil, sometimes referred to as a furnace heating element or electric furnace heating coil, wired through relays and safety controls.
When the thermostat calls for heat, the control board energizes the appropriate heating stages. Air passes across the energized coils and exits the system warm.
Heating Elements vs. Gas Furnace Components
One point of confusion I hear constantly involves the phrase gas furnace heating element. Technically, gas furnaces do not use heating elements. They use burners and heat exchangers.
However, homeowners often use that phrase because they associate “heating element” with “whatever makes heat.” In electric furnaces, that association is accurate. In gas furnaces, it isn’t.
This distinction matters when diagnosing problems or pricing repairs.
For clarity:
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Electric furnaces use electric heating elements
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Gas furnaces use burners and heat exchangers
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Heat pumps use refrigeration and may include electric backup heat
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There is no true “gas furnace heating element” in the electric sense
Understanding this avoids confusion when researching furnace heating element replacement or comparing systems.
Heating Elements in Heat Pump Systems
The Goodman MBVK is frequently paired with a heat pump. In those configurations, the electric heating elements act as backup or auxiliary heat.
This is where terms like:
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heat pump heating coil
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heating element for AC unit
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heating element for air conditioner
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ac heater coil
start to appear.
Technically, an air conditioner does not have a heating element. However, when an air handler is paired with electric heat strips, people often refer to the entire assembly as an “AC with heat.”
In those systems, the electric heating element serves as:
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Backup heat when outdoor temperatures drop
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Supplemental heat during defrost cycles
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Emergency heat if the heat pump fails
This dual-role setup is extremely common in all-electric homes.
How Electric Furnace Heating Coils Work in Practice
Each electric furnace heating coil is designed to operate at a specific voltage and amperage. When energized, it glows internally (though not visibly to the homeowner) and transfers heat to the airflow.
Several safety controls regulate this process:
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High-limit switches
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Thermal cutoffs
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Sequencers or relays
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Control boards
These devices prevent overheating, electrical overload, or unsafe operation.
Organizations like ASHRAE provide engineering standards that govern how heating elements are designed, staged, and protected in HVAC systems.
Signs of a Failing Furnace Heating Element
Heating elements don’t fail suddenly without warning in most cases. They degrade over time, and symptoms usually appear gradually.
Common signs include:
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The furnace runs but does not produce enough heat
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Some rooms are warm while others stay cold
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Breakers trip during heating cycles
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The system runs longer than usual
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Heat works intermittently
These symptoms often prompt homeowners to search for electric furnace heating element replacement or furnace heating element replacement.
Why Heating Elements Fail
There are several common causes of heating element failure.
1. Age and Thermal Fatigue
Repeated heating and cooling cycles stress the metal over time. Eventually, it cracks or burns out.
2. Airflow Restrictions
Restricted airflow causes overheating, which shortens element life dramatically.
3. Electrical Issues
Voltage imbalances, loose connections, or improper breaker sizing can damage elements.
4. Oversized or Undersized Systems
Improper system sizing forces elements to cycle excessively.
The U.S. Department of Energy emphasizes that airflow and electrical design directly impact the lifespan of electric heating components.
Electric Furnace Heating Element Replacement: What to Know
Replacing a heating element is one of the more common electric furnace repairs. However, it’s not a universal or trivial task.
When homeowners search for electric furnace heating element replacement, they’re often trying to understand three things:
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Is replacement possible?
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How complex is the job?
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What does it cost?
The answer depends on the furnace model, element type, and accessibility.
In the Goodman MBVK, elements are modular and designed for serviceability, but replacement still requires:
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Electrical lockout
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Proper testing
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Correct part matching
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Safe installation
This is not a DIY repair for most homeowners.
Furnace Heating Element Replacement Cost
The phrase furnace heating element replacement cost comes up frequently, and understandably so.
Costs vary based on:
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Number of elements
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Kilowatt rating
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Labor rates
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Accessibility
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Whether multiple stages are affected
In general, replacing a single heating element is less expensive than replacing a control board or blower assembly, but it’s still a meaningful repair.
The ENERGY STAR program emphasizes that maintaining system efficiency through timely component replacement can significantly reduce long-term operating costs.
Electric Furnace Heating Coil Replacement vs. Full System Replacement
Homeowners often ask whether replacing heating coils makes sense compared to replacing the entire furnace.
Here’s my professional take:
If the system is otherwise in good condition, replacing a failed electric furnace heating coil is usually reasonable. The MBVK platform is durable and serviceable.
However, if:
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Multiple elements are failing
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Electrical issues are widespread
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The system is nearing end-of-life
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Efficiency upgrades are desired
Then replacement may be worth discussing.
This is where proper diagnostics matter.
Heating Elements and Safety
Electric heating elements are safe when properly installed and maintained. Unlike combustion systems, they do not produce carbon monoxide and require no venting.
That said, safety still depends on:
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Proper wiring
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Secure connections
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Functional limit switches
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Adequate airflow
The Electrical Safety Foundation International highlights that many electrical failures stem from loose connections or overloaded circuits—both of which can affect electric furnace elements.
Common Misconceptions About Heating Elements
Let’s clear up a few persistent myths.
“My AC has a heating element”
Only if it’s paired with an electric air handler or heat strip kit.
“Gas furnaces have heating elements”
They do not. They have burners and heat exchangers.
“Heating elements burn fuel”
They don’t. They convert electricity directly into heat.
“If one element fails, the furnace is useless”
Not always. Multi-stage systems may still produce partial heat.
The Goodman MBVK in Real-World Use
The MBVK platform is designed to support multiple electric heat kits and configurations. That flexibility makes it popular, but it also means proper setup matters.
When installed and maintained correctly, its electric furnace heating elements can last many years without issue.
Most failures I see are not design flaws—they’re airflow problems, electrical problems, or maintenance neglect.
When to Call a Professional
You should contact a qualified technician if:
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Heat output drops suddenly
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Breakers trip during heating
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The system smells hot or electrical
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Heat works intermittently
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You suspect element failure
Searching for hvac heating element replacement or furnace heating element replacement is a sign that professional diagnostics are needed.
Final Thoughts from the Field
Heating elements are the heart of any electric furnace. In the Goodman MBVK, they’re reliable, serviceable, and effective when supported by good airflow and proper electrical design.
Understanding what a heating element for air handler does—and what it doesn’t do—goes a long way toward avoiding unnecessary repairs and confusion.
Whether you call it a heating coil, electric furnace element, or ac heater coil, the function is the same: convert electricity into safe, controlled heat. When that process is understood, the system makes sense.
And when the system makes sense, homeowners make better decisions—about repairs, replacements, and long-term comfort.
