Electric Furnace Services in Galveston, TX

When an electric furnace stops heating properly, the problem is usually one of a handful of common failures. Before calling for service, check these first: Is the thermostat set to heat mode and set above the current room temperature? Is the circuit breaker for the furnace tripped? Is the air filter clogged? These three things account for roughly half the "my furnace isn't working" calls we get, and they cost nothing to fix.

If those check out and you're still getting weak heat, no heat, or a furnace that runs constantly without warming the house, the issue is inside the unit and it needs professional diagnosis.

Common Electric Furnace Problems on the Gulf Coast

Electric furnaces are mechanically simpler than gas furnaces — no burners, no gas valve, no heat exchanger to crack. But they have their own failure points, and Gulf Coast conditions create some specific problems that you won't find in a furnace troubleshooting guide written for Colorado.

Sequencer failure. Electric furnaces heat air using multiple heating elements that turn on in sequence — first one element, then a second, then a third — to avoid overwhelming the electrical circuit. Sequencers control that staging. When a sequencer fails, one or more elements don't activate. The furnace runs but produces less heat. You might notice the house never quite reaches the set temperature, or it takes much longer than normal to warm up.

In Galveston's humidity, sequencer contacts corrode faster than they do in dry climates. The contacts develop a film of oxidation that increases electrical resistance, generates heat at the connection point, and eventually causes the sequencer to fail. Our techs see this more often in homes near the water where salt air accelerates the corrosion.

Heating element burnout. Elements have a finite lifespan and eventually burn through. When one element fails, you lose a portion of the furnace's heating capacity. The remaining elements try to compensate by running longer, which puts more wear on them and can cause a cascading failure where elements burn out one after another.

Relay and contactor corrosion. Similar to sequencer issues, the relays and contactors that control power to the blower and elements corrode in Gulf Coast humidity. Symptoms include intermittent operation — the furnace works sometimes and doesn't other times — or a clicking sound from the control panel without the elements activating.

Blower motor failure. The blower motor moves air across the heating elements and into the duct system. Motor bearings wear out over time, especially when dust and humidity combine to gum up the lubrication. A failing blower motor gets progressively louder, often with a grinding or squealing sound, before it stops entirely.

Thermostat wire corrosion. The low-voltage wires running between the thermostat and furnace can corrode at connections, especially in humid crawlspaces or attics. Corroded connections cause erratic behavior — the furnace might short cycle, fail to start, or run continuously.

The 9-Month Idle Problem

Galveston's heating season runs roughly December through February. That means your electric furnace sits idle for about 9 months out of the year. A furnace that worked fine last winter might not fire up correctly in December because of what happened during those 9 months of inactivity.

Dust settles on heating elements. The first time they heat up, that dust burns off — this is the burning smell many homeowners notice when they first turn on the heat each year. It's usually harmless, but elements coated in heavy dust can overheat and trigger the high-limit safety switch, which shuts the furnace down.

Insects and spiders build nests in and around the furnace, especially in the control compartment where wiring provides convenient anchor points. Web material across contacts and relays causes shorts and interference.

Humidity during the long Gulf Coast summer promotes corrosion on every metal surface inside the unit, even with the furnace not running. Contacts oxidize. Terminals corrode. Wire nuts loosen as the metals expand and contract with temperature swings.

This is why we recommend having your electric furnace inspected in November before you need it, rather than finding out it doesn't work on the first cold night. Our $129 tune-up (regular price $225) covers element testing, sequencer and relay inspection, blower motor evaluation, electrical connection tightening, filter replacement, thermostat calibration, and a full safety check. It's the most cost-effective way to avoid a no-heat emergency call in January.

Repair vs. Replace

Electric furnaces are relatively affordable to repair compared to gas furnaces or heat pumps. Common repair costs in the Galveston area:

- Sequencer replacement: $150-$300
- Heating element replacement: $100-$250 per element
- Relay or contactor: $100-$200
- Blower motor: $300-$600
- Control board: $200-$400
- Thermostat wire repair: $100-$200

When repair makes sense: If the furnace is under 15 years old and the repair is a single failed component, fix it. Electric furnaces have fewer parts than gas units and individual repairs are straightforward.

When replacement makes sense: If the furnace is over 15-20 years old, if multiple components have failed (especially elements and sequencers together), or if the unit has been through significant corrosion damage. A new electric furnace installed runs $1,500-$3,500 depending on size and brand. That's considerably less than replacing a gas furnace or heat pump.

We also recommend discussing a heat pump conversion with our techs when you're facing replacement. Heat pumps heat and cool with a single unit, which simplifies your system and can reduce operating costs. They're particularly efficient in Galveston's mild winter climate. But if you prefer to stick with a dedicated electric furnace, we install those too.

Same-Day Service

Electric furnace problems usually hit at the worst time — the first cold snap of the season, when everyone realizes their system didn't survive the summer layoff. We offer same-day service for furnace repairs because waiting 3 days for heat when it's 38°F outside isn't acceptable. Our trucks carry the most common electric furnace parts — sequencers, elements, relays, motors, and control boards — so most repairs are completed in a single visit.

If your electric furnace isn't performing, is making unusual sounds, or hasn't been inspected since last winter, call us. We'll diagnose the problem, give you a clear explanation of what failed and why, and get your heat running.