Annual Preventive Maintenance for Electric Heaters

Baseboard Heaters

• Electric baseboard heaters provide heat that rises from the bottom of the wall along the floor. Separate thermostats control each heater. To maintain a baseboard heater properly, follow any instructions provided with the unit and cut the power at the breaker panel before opening the cover to let the heating element cool. Before each heating season, vacuum all baseboard heaters to remove dust and dirt. If allowed to accumulate, dust will create a burned odor when you turn the heaters on in the fall. Also, do not allow furniture, drapes or debris to clog or block your baseboard heaters.

Portable Heaters

• Electric space heaters, or portable heating units, can warm a specific room or space and require little maintenance. Regularly inspect the heater for broken switches or guards or frayed cords and stop using any unit that does not work properly. If the plug overheats, the unit malfunctions or the heater causes an otherwise working ground fault circuit interrupter outlet to trip, which indicates an unsafe electrical connection. The heater must be replacee or serviced by a professional. Keep anything that can start a fire, such as papers, fabrics or furniture, away from the heater and do not use extension cords.

Electric Furnaces

• If your home comes equipped with an electric furnace, you can expect to do very little maintenance, but some regular attention will keep it functioning safely and efficiently. Most electric furnaces come with a pair of filters, a disposable one and a permanent filter. Follow the owner’s manual on how and when to clean or replace the filters. Your furnace may stop working if the filters become clogged or the blower fan malfunctions, so inspect it periodically for these problems. People without training in furnace repair should leave any further maintenance or repair to the professionals.

Safety Tips

• Any electric heating equipment, fixed or portable, should bear the seal of a independent laboratory to ensure it has undergone safety inspections. Place all heaters on level, secure surfaces and keep alert for sparks, problems with the switch or odd odors that may indicate a problem. Although most electric heating devices require little maintenance, they can pose a fire hazard or become less efficient if you fail to inspect them for malfunctions or do not keep them clean and unobstructed.