Electric Heater: Fan Does Not Start on Auto Setting

Phreek

Last year I had a problem with my heater. When the thermostat was switched to "Heat" and the fan was switched to "Auto" the thermostat would click but not heated air ever started blowing out of the vents. However, when the fan was switched to "On" the system would blow out heated air. Obviously, when the area reached the selected temperature on the thermostat, the fan would continue to blow air out of the vents only it was unheated.

I called out an HVAC person who did something with the unit in the attic. They didn't replace anything and if I remember hearing them correctly, they did something with a sequencer, maybe reseated it. So, I spent $150 for them to come out and do a very minimal job but it fixed the problem.....or so I thought.

The system started doing the same thing 2 days ago. The HVAC tech that came out last year stated it wouldn't hurt anything if I needed to run the fan in the "On" position to heat the area but I cannot help but think that it will hurt my electric bill hence my wallet and I don't really feel like calling him back out and blowing $150 or more to fix the the problem temporarily again.

Is this something I could fix via DIY or should I call another HVAC pro out to handle the situation.

Thanks for any and all advice.

bob22

Brand, model # of furnace, type of system (all electric/heat pump, gas, oil)?
Are you handy?

Phreek

1. Where can I locate the brand and model number of the unit?

2. The system is electric which stinks because this is my first electrical system, all others before have been gas.

3. I am pretty handy.

Nucon

If you remove the front panel on the furnace you will see a sticker. (Its should slide off if its like mine) Somewhere on that sticker you will see Model#.

Phreek

1. Brand: Looks like Goodman Manufacturing out of Houston, TX
Model: AR30-1

2. Electric and it said something about heat pump on it so I am assuming it is or has one.

3. Thermostat is a Climate Technology brand but wa sunable to locate model number. Here is a pic:

yuri

You need a better tech. There is a fan relay inside the unit which is sticking off. Not a DIY project as you have 240 volts and VERY high amperage/electrocution danger in there.

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Hixheat1

Good call

Phreek

If you don't mind me asking, how did you figure that out?

I've noticed that the auto setting will work sometimes, is there a possible fire hazard?

What does a job and the part to fix this usually cost (estimate)?

If I use the on setting, will that cause my electric bill to skyrocket even after the heat comes off since the fan is still running?


Thanks so much for the quick answers, I'll contact my HVAC guy soon.

yuri

1) I work on LOTS of electric furnaces and air handlers. There is a relay to turn on the fan for A/C use and a separate one for heating use. A/C needs a higher fan speed.
2) Turning the fan to ON energizes the cooling relay not the heating relay. No fire hazard if the fan is running but can damage the electric elements if it fails in the heat mode.
3) I don't know your local contractors rates. Probably $200- $300 where I am including the service call chg.
4) Costs between $1-2 a day to run that fan continuos

Try get a tech that has experience on electric furnaces/air handlers. Not all do. Some are gas furnace only or parts changers/don't understand the sequence of operation of electric units.

Good Luck

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