Hey There, it’s Samantha (Again!) 👋
You know that moment when you hear your furnace kick on—but nothing comes out? Or when you’re waiting for that warm burst of air, but it’s cold enough to keep leftovers fresh in your hallway?
Yup, I’ve been there.
Sometimes, it’s just a tripped breaker or dirty filter. Other times? It’s a bigger issue hiding behind a panel of wires. Either way, don’t freak out—I’ve rounded up the most common electric furnace problems (and solutions) so you can feel confident instead of freezing.
Let’s troubleshoot this thing together.
Symptom #1: Furnace Won’t Turn On 🔌
Possible Causes:
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Tripped circuit breaker
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Faulty thermostat or dead batteries
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Blown fuse in the furnace cabinet
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Safety switch or door panel not secured
What You Can Do:
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First, check your breaker box. Look for a tripped double-pole breaker labeled “furnace” or “HVAC.”
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Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” and the temp is above current room temp.
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If you’ve got a smart thermostat, double-check Wi-Fi or firmware issues—HVAC.com has a great guide on thermostat resets.
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Open the furnace panel and look for a small reset button (usually red or yellow). Press it once. Give it a few seconds. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Still not working?
You might have a faulty sequencer or control board, which usually means calling an HVAC tech.
Symptom #2: Cold Air Blowing Instead of Heat 🌬️🥶
Possible Causes:
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Heating elements not engaging
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Dirty air filter blocking airflow
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Blower motor running without heat activation
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Thermostat wiring issues
DIY Fixes to Try:
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Swap in a new air filter—a clogged one can cause the unit to overheat and shut down the heat strips.
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Check your thermostat wiring. If the “W” wire is loose or disconnected, your furnace might only be blowing air without heat.
I once forgot to snap the thermostat face back on fully after replacing the batteries. Turns out? That tiny misalignment cut off the signal. 🙈
What the Pros Might Need to Fix:
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Burned-out heating elements
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Bad sequencer (controls the order of operations in multi-stage units)
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Faulty limit switch or blower relay
If you’re curious about how these parts work, Bob Vila's article on furnace troubleshooting gives a great overview in non-scary language.
Symptom #3: Furnace Keeps Tripping the Breaker ⚡🚫
Uh oh. This is a red flag.
Likely Causes:
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Short circuit in heating elements
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Blower motor drawing too many amps
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Undersized breaker or loose wire connection
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Dirty components causing electrical resistance
What You Can Do (Safely):
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Check if your breaker is the correct size for your furnace’s amp draw (you can find this on the furnace label).
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Make sure your filter is clean and airways are open—restricted airflow can overwork the blower.
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Flip the breaker off, wait 10 seconds, and flip it back on. But don’t do this over and over—it’s a sign something’s not right.
What You Shouldn’t Do:
Please, don’t upgrade your breaker without checking the wiring. This is where things get dangerous. Let a licensed electrician inspect for shorts, frayed wires, or grounding problems.
Want a deeper dive? Check out this Family Handyman guide on overloaded circuits.
Symptom #4: Unit Turns On and Off Too Often (Short Cycling) 🔁
This one’s sneaky. It might seem like your system is working—but it’s running inefficiently and wearing itself out.
Common Causes:
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Thermostat placed near a heat source (lamp, vent, sunny window)
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Dirty blower wheel or evaporator coil
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Overheating due to clogged airflow or poor wiring
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Furnace is oversized for the space
DIY Fixes:
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Relocate or shade your thermostat if it’s near a drafty or warm zone
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Clean air intakes and returns
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Make sure your ducts are sealed and not leaking hot air before it reaches you
Pro-Level Issues:
If the furnace is brand new and cycling constantly, it may have been oversized for your home. This is where a Manual J load calculation comes in—and it’s worth revisiting.
Learn more about Manual J and proper system sizing at Energy Vanguard’s blog. It’s one of my favorite reads on the topic (yes, I have favorite HVAC articles... don’t judge 😅).
Bonus Tip: Listen to the Sounds Your Furnace Makes 👂
Electric furnaces are usually quiet. So if you’re hearing...
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Buzzing: Could be a failing contactor or transformer
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Grinding: Blower motor bearings may be dry or worn
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Clicking: Relay trying to fire heating elements but failing
Grab your phone, record the noise, and send it to your tech ahead of time. Saves a ton of guesswork—and possibly a return trip fee. 💸
When to Call a Pro 🧑🔧
Look, I love a good DIY win as much as the next handy mom, but there are moments when it’s time to pass the wrench:
📞 Call a licensed HVAC technician if:
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You’ve already reset the breaker or thermostat and nothing changes
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You smell burning plastic or see scorch marks
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The furnace shuts off the moment it turns on
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Your electric bill suddenly doubles without explanation
Still unsure? You can use the ACCA contractor directory to find certified professionals who know their way around electric systems.
Final Thoughts from Samantha 💬
If your electric furnace isn’t cooperating, don’t panic—it doesn’t mean you have to shell out thousands or suffer through a frozen weekend. Most of the time, it’s a simple fix, a dirty filter, or a tripped switch hiding in plain sight.
The key is knowing where to look, what not to touch, and when to call in help. Whether you're the type who loves a hands-on project or prefers to be the one holding the flashlight (that’s me!), being informed is the best way to stay warm, safe, and in control.
And hey—if you're realizing it might be time for a replacement or you’re just ready for an upgrade, check out The Furnace Outlet’s electric furnace collection. They’ve got options for every home and budget—and trust me, you want something dependable before the next cold front rolls in. ❄️
Want to know the secret to lower electrical furnace bills? Visit my guide: Smart Thermostats & Airtight Homes.
Until next time, stay warm and stay savvy,
Samantha, Home Comfort Advisor 🔥🧡
