Electric furnaces do not need combustion air, but the house they are in likely has exhaust fans, air leakage through stack effect, and possibly construction tight enough to need help with air changes. A motorized damper tied to an exhaust fan could automate opening and closing of the damper.
Does an electric furnace need a fresh air intake?
Fresh air intakes, for the provision of combustion air for heating appliances, are not necessary for electric furnaces. … Since electric furnaces heat using a series of electric elements, with no combustion of gases, no fresh air intake is required.
Do all furnaces have a cold air return?
Every building that uses forced hot air for heating will have cold air return vents. They do precisely what the name implies: return cold air from registers to the furnace so that it will run properly.
Do electric furnaces vent outside?
Electric furnaces last longer
Because furnaces do not use combustion gas or vent exhaust, they will not suffer from the same aging as a gas furnace, and consequently will last for more years (provided they have regular maintenance).
Are cold air returns necessary?
Here’s Why You Shouldnt Block Cold Air Returns
These vents, commonly found in hallways or on ceilings, are absolutely essential to an air conditioner’s well-being. Cold air returns take in warm air from your home’s indoor spaces for use in your air conditioning system.
Are electric furnaces expensive to run?
The costs to operate a gas furnace is about 63% cheaper than an electric furnace when heating an average sized home. … In comparison, natural gas costs around $1.01 per therm to run. An electric furnaces cost to operate could be around $2,628 a year while a gas furnaces cost to operate would be around $1,800 a year.
What is the point of a cold air return?
The Purpose of Your Cold Air Returns
The return registers draw stale air into the ductwork, where it’s pulled through the filter to capture dust and debris and then delivered back to the HVAC equipment for reconditioning.
What will blocking a cold air return do?
Consequences. Restricting the airflow in the air handler or blower contributes to premature system problems, which can be serious. … In the heating cycle, blocked cold air returns can cause the heat exchanger inside the blower compartment to store too much heat and eventually crack.
Does electric furnace emit carbon monoxide?
Electrical heaters and electric water heaters, toasters, etc., do not produce CO under any circumstances. … Common sources of CO include the following wood or gas fueled appliances: Room heaters. Furnaces.
Does furnace draw outside air?
Typically a furnace will suck air from inside of the house (probably the vent behind your couch), pass it over the heat exchanger, and blow the now hot air out of the vents in your rooms.