Heating Elements Explained: Why the Goodman MBVK Electric Furnace Gets

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If there’s one part of an electric furnace that people hear about the most—but understand the least—it’s the heating element.

I’ve lost count of how many times a homeowner has asked me:

“Is this my central air heating element?”
“Do I have a bad heating coil?”
“Does an AC even have a heating element?”
“What’s the furnace heating element replacement cost?”

These questions usually come up when the heat stops working, the breaker trips, or someone’s been Googling phrases like electric furnace heating coil replacement late at night while the house gets colder.

So today, I want to clear the fog. We’re going to talk about furnace heating elements, electric furnace heating coils, how they work inside the Goodman MBVK electric furnace, and what replacement really means—without scare tactics or sales pressure.

Just real explanations from someone who’s worked on these systems for years.

What Is a Furnace Heating Element?

Let’s start at the beginning.

A furnace heating element is the component that actually creates heat in an electric furnace. It does this using electrical resistance—when electricity flows through the element, it heats up.

That heat is then transferred to the air moving across it, warming your home.

In electric systems, this part may also be called:

Furnace heating coil
Electric furnace element
HVAC heating element
Heating coil HVAC
Furnace elements (plural, because there’s often more than one)

Different names, same basic job: turn electricity into heat safely and efficiently.

Heating Coil vs. Heating Element: Same Thing, Different Words

Homeowners often ask if there’s a difference between a heating coil and a heating element.

Functionally? No.

A furnace heating coil is simply the shaped metal element—often coiled or finned—that heats up. In HVAC conversations, the terms are used interchangeably.

So whether you’re searching for:

Electric furnace heating element
Electric furnace heating coils
Heating coil HVAC

You’re talking about the same core component.

Where the Goodman MBVK Fits In

The Goodman MBVK electric furnace uses modular electric resistance heating elements installed inside the air handler cabinet.

These elements are:

Sized based on the home’s heating load
Staged for efficiency and comfort
Protected by safety limits
Designed for long service life

The MBVK isn’t a gimmick unit—it’s a workhorse designed to deliver consistent electric heat with minimal drama.

Central Air Heating Element: Why the Term Causes Confusion

One of the most common phrases I hear is central air heating element.

Here’s the truth:
A standard air conditioner does not have a heating element.

When people use that term, they usually mean one of three things:

The electric heating element inside an air handler
The backup heat inside a heat pump system
The heating coil in an electric furnace paired with central air

The Goodman MBVK often sits alongside central air equipment, which is why people think of it as part of the AC—even though it’s technically the heating side of the system.

Heating Element for AC Unit vs. Heating Element for Air Conditioner

Let’s clear this up clearly.

A traditional AC:

Cools only
Has no heating element

A heat pump system:

Uses refrigerant to move heat
May include electric heating elements for backup heat

In that case, people might refer to the heating element for AC unit or heating element for air conditioner, even though it’s really part of the air handler or electric furnace.

In MBVK-based systems, the heating elements live in the furnace/air handler—not the outdoor AC unit.

HVAC Heating Element: How It Actually Works

An HVAC heating element works on resistance heating:

Electricity flows through the element
Resistance creates heat
Air passes over the element
Warm air enters the duct system

There’s no combustion, no flame, no exhaust.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, electric resistance heating is nearly 100% efficient at converting electrical energy into heat at the point of use—which is why electric furnaces are so predictable in performance.

Furnace Heating Coil Design in the MBVK

Goodman designs its electric furnace heating coils with:

Durable resistance materials
Protective housings
Staged operation (not all elements fire at once unless needed)

This staged approach improves comfort and reduces electrical strain.

It’s one of the reasons the MBVK integrates so well with heat pumps and modern thermostats.

Heat Pump Heating Coil vs. Electric Furnace Heating Coil

Another area of confusion is the heat pump heating coil.

Here’s the difference:

A heat pump heating coil is a refrigerant coil that absorbs or releases heat
An electric furnace heating coil is a resistance element that creates heat directly

Many systems use both:

Heat pump for mild weather
Electric furnace heating elements for cold weather backup

The MBVK is commonly used as that backup heat source.

Heating Element for Air Handler: Yes, That’s the MBVK

If you’ve searched for a heating element for air handler, you’re in the right place.

The MBVK is an air handler with integrated electric heating elements. It handles airflow, filtration, and heating—all in one cabinet.

That’s why it’s often described using multiple terms:

Electric furnace
Air handler with heat
Central electric heater

Different names, same equipment.

Gas Furnace Heating Element: A Misleading Term

I see searches all the time for gas furnace heating element.

Here’s the honest answer:
Gas furnaces do not have heating elements.

They have:

Burners
Heat exchangers

When people search that term, they’re usually comparing gas and electric systems—or trying to figure out which one they own.

The MBVK is strictly electric, which eliminates combustion-related parts entirely.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has long noted that removing combustion also removes risks like carbon monoxide exposure.

Furnace Heating Element Replacement: When Is It Needed?

Now let’s talk about the big concern: replacement.

A furnace heating element replacement is needed when:

An element burns out
An element cracks
Electrical continuity is lost
The system trips breakers repeatedly due to element failure

In well-installed systems like the MBVK, element failure is uncommon, but not impossible.

Electric Furnace Heating Element Replacement: What to Expect

When replacement is needed, here’s what it typically involves:

Diagnosing which element has failed
Verifying electrical supply and airflow
Replacing the specific element module
Testing staging and safety limits

Because the MBVK uses modular heat kits, electric furnace heating element replacement is usually more straightforward than in older, hard-wired systems.

This modularity reduces labor time and replacement complexity.

Furnace Heating Element Replacement Cost: The Honest Answer

Homeowners always ask about furnace heating element replacement cost, and the honest answer is: it depends.

Factors include:

Size and number of elements
System voltage
Accessibility
Labor rates

In general, electric furnace element replacement is less expensive and less invasive than major gas furnace repairs.

ASHRAE has long documented that electric systems tend to have lower mechanical complexity, which often translates to simpler repairs.

HVAC Heating Element Replacement vs. Full System Replacement

One thing I always tell homeowners: don’t panic.

A failed HVAC heating element replacement does not mean you need a new furnace. In most cases, replacing the element restores full operation.

The MBVK’s design makes this especially true.

Electric Furnace Heating Coil Replacement: What Causes Failure?

Common causes include:

Poor airflow (dirty filters)
Oversized elements
Electrical issues
Age-related wear

Proper installation and maintenance go a long way toward preventing these issues.

Furnace Elements: Why There’s More Than One

Many electric furnaces—including the MBVK—use multiple furnace elements.

This allows:

Staged heating
Better comfort control
Reduced electrical demand spikes

It also means that partial heating may still occur if one element fails—giving you warning instead of total heat loss.

Heating Element for Central Heat: Reliability Matters

When you rely on electric heat as your primary heating element for central heat, reliability matters.

That’s where the MBVK shines:

Proven element design
Strong airflow management
Built-in safety controls

It’s not flashy—but it’s dependable.

AC Heater Coil: What People Really Mean

Finally, let’s address AC heater coil.

That phrase usually means:

Electric heating coil in an air handler
Backup heat for a heat pump system

And once again, that’s exactly what the MBVK provides.

Final Thoughts from Tony Marino

Heating elements don’t get much respect until they stop working. But when you understand what a furnace heating element does—and how systems like the Goodman MBVK electric furnace are designed—you start to see why electric heat remains such a solid choice.

No combustion.
No flame.
No exhaust.

Just electricity, airflow, and heat—done right.

After years in the field, I’ll tell you this:

The best heating elements are the ones you never have to think about.

And when properly installed and maintained, that’s exactly what the MBVK delivers.

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