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HVAC help - electric furnace

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 79588
  • Start date Start date
D

Deleted member 79588

Sep 19, 2006
1,777
9
#1
Hey guys

I'm in an apartment with a small electric furnace in the closet and there is a little fan (not the main blower) that is running all the time, even when the furnace is off. It is attached to a flex duct that looks like it goes outside.

Can anyone tell me what it is? Is there a way to turn it off? Seems like a waste of energy to have it running at all times.

Thanks! :hyper:

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#2
my best guess is that a relay needs replaced. you're going to have to get a tech in there to figure it out. very hard to diagnose just by a picture. it could be a limiter also which controls when the fan kicks on and off according to temperature. should be a 5 minute fix. call a tech and write down all the numbers on the honeywell box and he might be able to help you. the one thing you can check is your thermostat and see if the fan switch is switched to "on" instead of "auto" where it should be. hope this helps. Kevin
 
#3
Clouz said:
my best guess is that a relay needs replaced. you're going to have to get a tech in there to figure it out. very hard to diagnose just by a picture. it could be a limiter also which controls when the fan kicks on and off according to temperature. should be a 5 minute fix. call a tech and write down all the numbers on the honeywell box and he might be able to help you. the one thing you can check is your thermostat and see if the fan switch is switched to "on" instead of "auto" where it should be. hope this helps. Kevin
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I checked the thermostat and the fan was set to auto. When I switch it to on, the big blower fan comes on. Not sure what this little auxiliary fan is off to the side...
 
#4
Armueller2001 said:
Thanks for the reply. I checked the thermostat and the fan was set to auto. When I switch it to on, the big blower fan comes on. Not sure what this little auxiliary fan is off to the side...
Click to expand...

i would say that fan was put there to force extra air into a space where the main fan was not able to. i used these on some a/c systems to help with trouble spots. it is controlled by either temperature or by when the main fan kicks on. has to be a control. call a tech.
 
#5
I don't see where that contraption is connected to the furnace at all, except perhaps to the electronics. It looks to me like it's there to vent the room that the furnace is in. Not that it makes sense for en electric furnace, just saying that's what it looks like.
 
#6
On gas furnaces the smaller fan is a draft inducer fan; it keeps the CO2 moving out of the house/apartment unit and must operate for the furnace to work or it will not fire up at all. If there are any other gas appliances (hot water heater?) this may be the case. I don't know if this is relevant to your situation. Your apartment must have maintenance personnel; I would call your manager or whomever you pay and report it. Whatever you do, don't disable the fan yourself; CO2 is deadly!
 
#9
Flo'Daddy said:
On gas furnaces the smaller fan is a draft inducer fan; it keeps the CO2 moving out of the house/apartment unit and must operate for the furnace to work or it will not fire up at all. If there are any other gas appliances (hot water heater?) this may be the case. I don't know if this is relevant to your situation. Your apartment must have maintenance personnel; I would call your manager or whomever you pay and report it. Whatever you do, don't disable the fan yourself; CO2 is deadly!
Click to expand...

I was thinking this. CO2 can be deadly.
 
#11
Finally

It is some for some type of ventilation

Was probably required by code when the building was built or renovated

Hvac is my trade

However

The picture is vague.

The fan probably does not draw more than a lightbulb.

If it's an apartment call maintenance and ask them what it is .

Then decide what to do.

It might be assisting in maintaining a healthy indoor environment .
 
#12
CO2 is carbon dioxide

CO is carbon monoxide

If you don't have any fossil fuel appliances the chance of CO being present at a harmful level is about zero


For CO2 to be present you've got me.
Maybe if you opened a lot of beers at the same time. Or sodas. Or brought in a giant chuck of dry ice.
 
#14
Indiana Mike said:
CO2 is carbon dioxide

CO is carbon monoxide

If you don't have any fossil fuel appliances the chance of CO being present at a harmful level is about zero


For CO2 to be present you've got me.
Maybe if you opened a lot of beers at the same time. Or sodas. Or brought in a giant chuck of dry ice.
Click to expand...

Sorry. I added the 2 by accident.

There's plenty of CO2 in the air as it is.
 

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