How to fix an electric heater at home
In the winter, electric heaters are the most dependable appliance. Its warmth is cozy and comfortable. Perhaps electric heaters are more user-friendly, less problematic, and repairable at home. But occasionally, it stops functioning well for various challenging reasons to identify and fix. This article will explain how to repair an electric heater at home, what frequently goes wrong, how to find the source of the issue, and what tools you'll need to do it. After that, it provides straightforward, step-by-step directions for disassembling radiant and convection heaters and repairing the problematic part. Don't skip any part; read the guide until the end to repair your electric heaters at home.
Most common problems with electric heaters:
All electric heaters contain few essential parts, and frequently, problems will occur with these parts. Sometimes the heating element will burn, the thermostats stop working, heating fans fail, and power cords switches fail. Apart from these problems, the other most common problem is the circuit trip and the fuse blow. This problem will make your electric heater stop working altogether.
How to identify the problem with your electric heaters:
We already discuss the common problems that happen with electric heaters. But sometimes it's hard to identify the exact problem which makes your heater stop working.
Here are some signs that are directly related to the heating problems.
Let’s uncover them:
When your heater is not turned ON, there must be some problem with the thermostat; It May be the circuit not delivering electricity, or the heating element is not functioning correctly.
If the heater is not producing heat, then there must be some problem with its heating fans. Use the vacuum cleaner to remove the dust or debris accumulated inside the heater. See the heating element is glowing or not.
When the heater is working but not supplying enough heat, check it as it is placed on a hard surface. If not, there will be a chance that its wires will be burned. In such conditions, replace the wires and check the thermostat.
When your electric heater is overheated, use a vacuum cleaner and remove the dust particles. Any lint can ignite by blocking the vents and causing the unit to overheat. Carefully blow away all the accumulated debris.
Required material to fix electric heaters at home:
To repair the heater, you must have basic electrical device knowledge. The heater repair procedure required some basic steps, like removing the heater, opening and disassembling the unit, removing the problematic part, fixing the part, and assembling the electric heaters again. All repairing procedures require some knowledge and electric tools. You will need the following tools:
1)Multimeter
2)Long nose pliers
3)Adjustable pliers
4)Screwdriver
How to repair electric heaters at home:
Step 1: Disassembling the unit:
Before dismantling the heater, unplug it and allow it to cool fully. After cooling completely, remove the screws holding the control housing at the edges and take them aside to gain access to the wiring. Pull off the knob, remove the electrical leads, and tape their positions before removing the thermostat. To release the thermostat, you might have to remove the holding nut. Label the leads and detach them to remove the power switch. The top and bottom clips hold some switches in place, while others are fixed with screws.
Step 2: Discover the problematic part:
An electric convection heater should be disassembled after being unplugged and allowed to cool thoroughly. Take off the control knobs and the back grille. You may remove the front grille by releasing the bolts on the housing's back. By raising the control housing and moving the front grille in your direction, you may remove it. Testing and fixing the heating element, fan, and the motor is now possible. Disconnect the connections and remove the thermostat from the control housing. Remove the mounting screws and clips from the heat control to access and disconnect wires.
Step 3: Repair problematic part:
Problematic wires:
A problem with the power supply is the primary and most frequent reason when an electric heater won't switch on or function properly. In such cases must confirm that electricity is accessible from the main source. If so, make sure the power switch is functioning correctly. This may be accomplished by attaching a different power source to the switch and seeing if it operates properly.
Auto safety shut off :
The auto safety shut-off function, which is included in many heaters nowadays, may also cause an electric heater not to work. This function causes heaters to turn off for safety when they become too hot. Your heater might not be operating due to this feature. Therefore, if the device does not come back on, you may reset the functionality by switching the power switch to the off position. Remove the plug from the gadget and let it a few minutes to cool down. Switch it on after plugging it back in once again.
Burned fuses:
The most frequent reason for an electric heater not functioning is blown fuses. To verify this, disconnect the appliance and look for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers in the house's fuse box first. If the circuit breakers or fuses have tripped, you can replace the fuse or, if necessary, reset them. Reconnect the appliance's power cord and turn it back on.
Heating element issue:
A faulty heating element might also be to blame for an electric heater not working. You must examine the heating element's continuity to determine the cause of this problem. Remove the heater's plug and flip the power switch and main supply off. Set the multimeter to RX1, or resistance multiplied by 1, so you may access the heating element by disassembling the electric heater. Now, apply one of the multimeter's probes to either end of the heater's heating element. If the meter reads a high resistance, the heating element is in good condition, and if it reads an infinite value, there is a problem, and the element is damaged. If it is broken, you must replace it. When doing so, ensure the new item has the same size, shape, power rating, and resistance as the old one.
Thermostat issues:
The thermostat is typically the source of an electric heater's malfunction. It can be defective, jammed, or have lost its tightness. Look at the thermostat to see what setting it is at. Try turning it on at a higher level if it is off or at a low temperature. See whether it now begins to function. However, keep an eye on it to ensure the auto safety shutdown feature doesn't cause it to cease functioning. The thermostat dial can occasionally become defective or become stuck as well. Due to this factor, the electric heater may also malfunction or not produce enough heat. Replacing the thermostat is also recommended if needed.
Conclusion:
Your electric heaters' most common issue has been covered, along with solutions. But you need some fundamental understanding to diagnose and fix the electrical fault. To avoid making the situation worse, you must know how to use any tool and how to solve the problem. In addition, the remarks above will resolve your trouble with an electric heater, allowing you to enjoy the warmth during the winter.