Mike's Intro 🧰
Hey there—Mike Sanders here. If your furnace is acting like a glorified fan and not giving you the heat you paid for, don’t start pricing out a whole new system just yet. One of the most common (and totally fixable) culprits is a busted heating element.
Don’t let the word element scare you off. You don’t need to be Einstein to swap one out. You just need a multimeter, a screwdriver, and a little patience—and lucky for you, I’m gonna walk you through the whole thing, step by step.
What the Heck Is a Heating Element Anyway? 🤔
Think of a heating element like a toaster wire inside your furnace. It’s a coil of resistance wire that heats up when electricity flows through it. Your blower fan pushes air over this red-hot coil, and voilà—warm air!
Electric furnaces often have multiple heating elements to provide stages of heat. If one goes bad, your system might still work, just not well. Or worse, it starts short cycling, blowing cool air, or tripping the breaker.
Signs Your Heating Element Might Be Toast 🍞
Here’s what you’ll notice if a heating element is on the fritz:
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Blowing cold or lukewarm air
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Furnace keeps running but never reaches temp
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Circuit breaker trips repeatedly
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Burning smell from the unit
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Error codes (we covered that in the last blog)
You don’t need to guess. Let’s bust out the multimeter and get to testing.
How to Test an Electric Furnace Heating Element ⚡
Tools You’ll Need:
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Multimeter (get one that tests ohms/continuity)
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Screwdriver
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Flashlight
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Gloves (optional but smart)
Step 1: Kill the Power (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)
Go to your electrical panel and shut off the furnace breaker. Even better—use a voltage tester to make 100% sure the unit is dead. Safety first.
Need a refresher on safely shutting off HVAC power? This Yes Man guide on switching off circuit breakers has good visuals.
Step 2: Open the Furnace Panel
Most electric furnaces have an access panel held on by screws. Take it off and locate the heating elements—usually metal coils mounted in a frame near the blower.
Step 3: Test for Continuity
Set your multimeter to the continuity setting (usually marked by a sound wave symbol). Touch one probe to each terminal of the element. If the meter beeps, you’re good. No beep = open circuit = bad element.
Want a visual walkthrough? Check out this YouTube tutorial on testing furnace elements from Repair Clinic—it’s solid and beginner-friendly.
Step 4: Inspect for Visible Damage
Sometimes the element itself is broken or burnt. If you see a break in the coil or scorching, that’s a dead giveaway it’s time for a replacement.
How to Replace a Heating Element 🛠️
Step 1: Get the Right Replacement
Look for the part number stamped on the element or furnace manual. You can often find compatible models online or at HVAC supply stores.
Need help ID’ing your furnace part? SupplyHouse is a great resource for locating compatible HVAC parts by model.
Step 2: Remove the Old Element
Disconnect the wires (snap a photo first for reference), unscrew the mounting screws, and slide the element out carefully.
Step 3: Install the New One
Slide in the new heating element, line up the screw holes, reattach the wires as shown in your photo, and tighten everything down.
Step 4: Double-Check Everything
Inspect all connections, make sure nothing is loose, and close up the access panel.
Step 5: Power It Back On & Test
Flip the breaker back on and turn up the thermostat. You should hear the furnace kick on and start producing heat within a minute or two.
Want to know how long an electric furnace heating element should last? According to Bob Vila’s guide on electric furnaces, they typically last 8–12 years, depending on usage and maintenance.
Bonus Tips to Make Heating Elements Last Longer 💡
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Change filters regularly – Dust buildup is an element killer
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Don’t crank the thermostat too often – causes overheating and wear
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Have annual inspections – A tech can spot loose wires or heat stress
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Ensure proper airflow – Blocked ducts = hot spots = burnt elements
Curious about how airflow affects your heating system? Energy Vanguard has a great breakdown of why airflow is make-or-break for electric furnaces.
Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌
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Forgetting to shut off power (seriously, don’t be that person)
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Replacing with the wrong type or wattage element
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Overtightening screws and damaging the mounting frame
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Ignoring signs of other issues like a bad sequencer or blower relay
Mike’s Wrap-Up 🧤
Alright y’all, that’s a wrap on heating elements. Look, these suckers do a lot of the heavy lifting in an electric furnace, so when they go, you’re gonna feel it—literally. But don’t let the idea of electrical parts spook you. With a little common sense, some careful testing, and the right replacement part, you can knock this out in an afternoon.
And if your furnace is older, you might even want to think about upgrading. I’ve seen folks throw hundreds at parts only to end up buying a new unit anyway a year later. If you're in that boat, check out the full lineup of reliable, affordable electric furnaces right here 👉 The Furnace Outlet's Electric Furnaces. They've got options for just about every size home and budget.
Have venting and/or duct issues? Visit my guide: How to Vent and Duct an Electric Furnace for Maximum Efficiency and Safety.
Stay warm out there—and keep your tools handy.
—Mike, your cool HVAC neighbor
