There aren't many things more frustrating than an air conditioning that refuses to run. A hot, muggy home can make your space incredibly uncomfortable, which is why I have always focused on maintaining my air conditioning system. Unfortunately, I still run into problems from time to time and I am sure that all of you do, which is one of the reasons I decided to build this website. Check out these posts for more information about keeping your system working beautifully, even if you aren't naturally good at fixing things. You never know, making the right changes could dramatically improve your summertime experience.
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Understanding the Signs: When Your Furnace Needs Repair 5 February 2024
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Demystifying Residential Heating Repair and Maintenance 12 January 2024
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The Importance Hiring Professionals for Heating System Repair 18 December 2023
Keeping Your HVAC System In Great Condition
What Should You Do When Your Electric Baseboard Heaters Won't Turn On?
Herbert Franklin
Electric baseboard heaters are relatively common in warmer parts of the country, but you may also have them if you live in a smaller structure, such as a condominium unit. Electric heaters can be highly efficient for these roles, even if they may be costly for heating larger homes in colder climates. Electric baseboard heaters also have the advantage of being fairly simple and reliable.
However, electric baseboard heating can still fail. If your home's electric baseboard heating doesn't turn on, you can follow these three steps to narrow down the problem before contacting an HVAC technician for further help.
Step 1: Check Your Thermostat
When dealing with any heating issue, always start by checking your thermostat. A common misconception is that your thermostat controls the temperature of the heaters, but it actually controls your home's temperature. In other words, setting your thermostat to a lower temperature than the ambient temperature will mean your heaters won't turn on.
Start by setting your thermostat several degrees warmer than the ambient temperature. Your heaters should turn on relatively quickly. You should also confirm that the thermostat's reported ambient temperature seems correct since an incorrect temperature may mean the issue is with your thermostat. If your thermostat appears to be working and your heat still won't turn on, continue troubleshooting.
Step 2: Investigate Physical Obstructions
The next step is to confirm that your heaters are actually remaining off. Baseboard heaters rely on convection currents to pull cold air through the bottom of the units and release warm air through the tops. Anything obstructing airflow can interfere with this process, causing your heater to emit no heat even though it may be running.
Feel for heat close to your heater, but be careful since it may be warm. If you can feel the heat, but your room is still cold, check for curtains, furniture, blankets, or anything else blocking heat flow. Remember that these obstructions can be fire hazards or cause your heater's heating elements to burn out and fail, so resolving these obstructions is crucial.
Step 3: Reset Your Breaker
The electrical breaker is the next culprit if you've set your thermostat properly and no obstructions are near your heaters. Baseboard heating requires a dedicated circuit, so a tripped breaker can leave you shivering without taking out lights or other items in your home. Check your breaker and, if necessary, reset it.
However, carefully monitor your breaker after resetting it. Stop using your baseboard heaters if the breaker trips immediately or when the heat turns back on. Repeated trips typically indicate a problem with your home's electrical wiring or an internal fault in your baseboard heaters. To learn more, contact HVAC services today.
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