Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Heater problem - getting frustrated
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marshallv
01-16-07, 09:19 AM
Hello everyone- I have a heater problem!
First a little background. House is 1,600sf - electric heat. Element is 15k and was new about 3.5 years ago.
It has worked fine until now. The temperature measured at a register about 8 feet from the plenum has been about 110-120, if i remember.
On saturday it dropped to about 80. Service guy said one of the high limits was blown and he replaced it. Now after replacing it twice, it's blown again.
They are going to replace the whole "heating element board" or whatever it's called as the next step.
I guess I just want to know if anyone has any thoughts on what might be causing the limits to blow. He said it's when the element over heats, but why after all this time would it be overheating?
Is a rise of 50-60 deg at a register 7 feet away too much?
Any thoughts?
And by the way, in west texas - we're having highs of 20's right now. perfect timing!!
Thanks!
First a little background. House is 1,600sf - electric heat. Element is 15k and was new about 3.5 years ago.
It has worked fine until now. The temperature measured at a register about 8 feet from the plenum has been about 110-120, if i remember.
On saturday it dropped to about 80. Service guy said one of the high limits was blown and he replaced it. Now after replacing it twice, it's blown again.
They are going to replace the whole "heating element board" or whatever it's called as the next step.
I guess I just want to know if anyone has any thoughts on what might be causing the limits to blow. He said it's when the element over heats, but why after all this time would it be overheating?
Is a rise of 50-60 deg at a register 7 feet away too much?
Any thoughts?
And by the way, in west texas - we're having highs of 20's right now. perfect timing!!
Thanks!
Ed Imeduc
01-16-07, 10:13 AM
register about 8 feet from the plenum has been about 110-120, if i remember.
Id say that is high for electric heat. Do you keep the filter new and clean???? Could the coil need to be clean to let air through it??? Are the fins on the blower wheel clean???
Service guy said one of the high limits was blown and he replaced it. Now after replacing it twice, it's blown again.
Lost here :::: The limit should turn the element off when to hot. Then turn back on when cool. not have to need a new one?????????
;)
Id say that is high for electric heat. Do you keep the filter new and clean???? Could the coil need to be clean to let air through it??? Are the fins on the blower wheel clean???
Service guy said one of the high limits was blown and he replaced it. Now after replacing it twice, it's blown again.
Lost here :::: The limit should turn the element off when to hot. Then turn back on when cool. not have to need a new one?????????
;)
dougm
01-19-07, 10:02 AM
Sorry so late posting on this... Having a winter this year is messing up our schedules...
I suspect the element is shorted and drawing too much power which is why the limit switch is blowing out. Why the element only lasted 3.5 years is the next question. I'd probably start checking air flow like Ed said.
Doug M.
I suspect the element is shorted and drawing too much power which is why the limit switch is blowing out. Why the element only lasted 3.5 years is the next question. I'd probably start checking air flow like Ed said.
Doug M.
HVACGuy
01-20-07, 05:09 AM
Ed has it right. The limits are just doing their job. This industry is famous for replacing safety controls without fixing the causes.
The cause is most likely airflow. Your filter or the coils are most likely dirty and blocking airflow. Depending on your setup you can probably remove the return box to gain access to the coil. You probably see what looks like felt on the fins.
The cause is most likely airflow. Your filter or the coils are most likely dirty and blocking airflow. Depending on your setup you can probably remove the return box to gain access to the coil. You probably see what looks like felt on the fins.
KField
01-20-07, 07:01 PM
If the tech is replacing the thermal fuse link, then the limit is also probably not working. Just my 2 cents.
Ken
Ken