5 Common Issues With SW Florida Heaters

In the heart of sunny SW Florida, your heating system doesn’t get much activity. However, when those rare chilly mornings and cool evenings pop up, you want your heater to be functioning properly.

The Most Popular Heating System In SW Florida

The majority of heating systems in SW Florida come equipped with electric heat strips. Also known as electric resistance heating elements, they are designed to provide supplemental heat when necessary. It is an ideal solution for those of us living in the tropics that only need heat for a short time.

Electric heat strips are similar to the heating element in a toaster or space heater. Most systems have built-in safety controls to prevent overheating, however, issues can still occur.

Here are 5 common issues SW Florida homeowners may experience.

1) Blower Fan Motor Issue

One of the most common issues to occur during the brief time when homeowners in Cape Coral and Fort Myers use their heat is a broken fan motor. Why? Because heating systems and air conditioners typically share a blower fan.

This means the fan works hard year-round; therefore, wear and tear will eventually take a toll causing damage and potentially a need for AC Service. When a blower motor or fan is not doing its job, you’re likely to experience symptoms such as slow performance, an odd smell, or unusual noise.

With regular maintenance by our technicians, you can avoid breakdowns and AC Service because we can catch blower fan issues (and other issues) before they become major repairs.
Pro Tip: We recommend scheduling maintenance twice a year to address potential issues, ensure safety, and extend your system’s lifespan. Neglecting maintenance can lead to unexpected problems, increased energy consumption and a need for AC Service.

2) Broken Heating Element

The heating element may fail due to lack of maintenance, dirty filters, electrical issues, or other problems.

Even one missing heating element can affect getting the right amount of heat into your home. Aside from being uncomfortable, this can increase your energy bill and weaken other components, causing you to call us for AC Service. One sign that your unit may have a malfunctioning heating element is if chilly air is coming from the vents when the heat is on.

3) Thermostat Settings

If your heat is not working, double-check these items before calling us:

Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” mode.
Be sure the fan switch is on “Auto” (not “on”).
Ensure the temperature on the thermostat is set higher than the temperature in the room.
Wait a couple of minutes after turning on the thermostat before expecting to hear the fan.

4) Dirty Air Filters

Something as simple as a dirty air filter can lead to an issue within your system.

Here’s the domino effect of a dirty air filter: Dirt gets caught within a filter, which then causes air flow restriction. The blower fan then must work harder to try and make things right, causing components to wear out and, in some cases, overheating or even a complete breakdown. That’s why we recommend changing the air filter every month.

5) Improper Installation

Finally, a problem we encounter with SW Florida HVAC systems is improper sizing, or just sloppy installation.

This can lead to several problems throughout a system’s lifespan and may result in the need for AC Service or replacement. For your benefit, only trust licensed and insured technicians to install and work on your AC system, like Sunset Air and Home Services.