Electric Heat Not Working: Heat Strips and Electric Furnaces in Las Vegas

Short answer

If your electric heat isn't working, first check the basics you can safely reach: the thermostat is set to Heat, the breakers for the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are on, and the service switch near the indoor unit is on. Heat strips run on high-voltage wiring inside the air handler, so anything past those checks is a job for a licensed technician. Call (702) 738-6976 to schedule.

Safety first: a burning or electrical smell from the vents or the indoor unit is not normal. Turn the system off at the thermostat and call. If you smell gas (homes with a gas water heater or range), leave the house and call Southwest Gas or 911 from outside. If a CO alarm sounds, leave the house and call 911.

What "electric heat" means in a Las Vegas home

Most electric-heat homes here have one of two setups:

• Heat pump with backup heat strips. The outdoor unit does most of the heating. Electric heat strips in the indoor air handler help on cold mornings, during defrost, and when you choose Emergency Heat. See heat pump emergency heat.
• Electric furnace (air handler with heat strips, no heat pump). The strips are the only heat source.

Knowing which one you have changes what "not working" means. If a heat pump runs but the house never catches up, that is a different problem from no heat at all.

Electric heat is more common in some parts of the valley than others, including around Silverado Ranch; see Silverado Ranch heating and cooling.

Safe homeowner checks

Do only these. Don't open the air handler, remove panels, or touch heat strips or wiring.

1. Thermostat mode. Make sure it's on Heat (or Emergency Heat on a heat pump if the outdoor unit has failed). Make sure the screen isn't blank; if it is, see thermostat not working.
2. Breakers at the main panel. Electric heat often has its own large double breaker, separate from the outdoor unit. If one is tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call. Repeated trips point to an electrical fault that needs a technician.
3. Service switch at the indoor unit. Many air handlers in closets, garages or attics have a switch that looks like a light switch. Make sure it's on.
4. Fan running but air feels cool. On a heat pump, note whether the outdoor unit is running and whether "AUX" or "EM" shows on the thermostat. Write it down for the technician.
5. Airflow. Make sure supply vents and the return grille aren't blocked by furniture or rugs. Low airflow is a common reason heat strip safety limits shut the strips off.

When to call

• A breaker trips again after one reset.
• Burning, electrical or hot-plastic smell.
• The fan runs, the thermostat is calling for heat, and the air stays cool.
• A heat pump home shows AUX constantly, even on mild days (see heat pump not heating).
• The electric bill jumps in winter with no change in use.

What a technician typically checks: power reaching the air handler, the low-voltage heat signal from the thermostat, the sequencer or relay that turns the strips on, each heating element, and the high-limit and fusible-link safety devices. Manufacturer guidance is clear that a tripped safety limit usually means an airflow problem and must never be bypassed.

For repair service, see electric heating service. Call (702) 738-6976 to schedule.

FAQ

Why does my electric heat blow cool air? The fan can run while the heat strips are off. Common causes are a tripped heat breaker, a failed sequencer or relay, an open element, or a safety limit that opened from low airflow. A technician needs to test these.

Is it safe to keep resetting the breaker? No. Reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call (702) 738-6976 to schedule.

What's the difference between heat strips and a heat pump? A heat pump moves heat from outdoor air with refrigerant. Heat strips are electric resistance coils in the indoor unit that make heat directly. Many heat pump homes use strips as backup.

My heat pump works but the bill went way up. Why? That often means the backup strips are carrying load the heat pump should handle, from a defrost, outdoor unit or control problem.

Can I check the heat strips myself? No. They run on high voltage inside the air handler. Stick to the thermostat, breaker, service switch and vent checks above.