3 Common Heating Issues With Electric Wall Heaters – And How To Fix Them
Electric wall heaters are efficient alternatives when a central heating system isn't available. The heaters are best used for small rooms that have adequate insulation, but otherwise require very little maintenance. However, the units can run into occasional problems that can interfere with how much heat they provide.
No Heat: Fuse or Heating Element
You turn on the wall heater, set the thermostat appropriately, and wait for the rush of warm air – but nothing happens. If your wall unit has suddenly stopped providing heat and you are certain the thermostat is set correctly, there are a few potential causes.
The easiest check is to see if the circuit breaker for the unit tripped. If it did, flip it back on. You can also check the fuse box to see if the fuse blew and replace it accordingly.
Breaker and fuse both look fine? You might have a problem with the heating element located inside the unit. If the element is malfunctioning, it's best to replace the element now to avoid trouble further down the road. You can use your user's manual as a guide on how to remove and replace the element, making sure you turn off all power to the unit first. Or you can call in a heating contractor to do the job for you.
Frequent Cycling: Air Circulation or Thermostat Control Problem
Does your wall heater turn off and on frequently even though you haven't touched the thermostat?
The first thing to check is the unit's position. A wall heater requires clear space on all sides to allow air to circulate through the unit. Check your manual to find out how much room your particular model needs and clear away furniture or other belongings accordingly.
No circulation issues at play? Your unit might have problems with one of its electrical mechanisms such as the thermostat or control switch. The item will need to be replaced. If you have no experience with electricity, leave the repair to a professional furnace repair technician.
Heater Constantly Runs: Wrong Heater Size
Does your wall heater fail to cycle off? Your thermostat sensor could be on the fritz, making your unit think it's always colder in the room than it really is. But a more likely reason is that the heater is the wrong size for your room's size and insulation level.
How do you find the right unit size? Electric wall heater output is labeled in the number of watts. You want a unit that has wattage equal to at least 10 times the room's square footage. For example, a 100-square-foot room would need a minimum of 1,000 watts. Why is there a minimum wattage? You want to go higher if your room is poorly insulated.
If you need help diagnosing or repairing a problem with an electric wall heater, get in touch with an HVAC company like Kangas Burner & Heating Service.