NWR-Please HELP! (my heating system)-LONG!

Can anyone help me? Has anyone had electric heat before? FH and I just bought a townhouse that has electric heat. We were told the heat is in working condition and does appear to work at first. We are questioning whether it works properly now that we have had some time in the place (as we clean it up).

What it does it you set it to heat with the fan on automatic. The heat will come out until it says it reaches the set temperature (we doubt that it is even getting all the way to that temp.). After that the fans shut off and will automatically turn back on when the temp. drops a bit (as they should). However, each time they come back on they are not pumping out hot air, it is just luke warm and not enough to keep the place warm.

We have called the heating company on which we have the contract from the previous owner. They are reluctant to come b/c they say electric heat doesn't work that well. I had FH call and he's not too good with those kinds of calls. They are supposed to call me back and I'm going to try to make them come down to look at it (even if I have to say that it is one of the 2 preventative maintenance check ups included in our policy at no additional charge.

So, can anyone help and tell me a bit about your experience with electric heat? Please tell me the good and the bad! Thanks for helping and letting me vent!

I have electric heat in my condo. There are two keys: a clean filter and clean ducts. The filter is the biggest part. Have you looked at those? If they haven't been changed recently, change them!! They're about $2 at Home Depot for the disposable ones (much easier than trying to wash).

I did this when I bought my condo and notice a CONSIDERABLE improvement in the heating system when I change the filter regularly. If it says to change it every 250 hours of use - change it!!

If changing the filter doesn't help, your ducts might be clogged - although that's very rare in electric heat.

Let me know if you need more info!!!

Good Luck!!

Thank you so much for getting back to me! I really appreciate it! I know the filters need to be changed. It has probably been about a year or year and a half since they have been changed. The previous owner went into assisted living about that long ago and the place has been unoccupied since as they get her Medicaid straight. We will get new filers on Friday. It really makes a big difference?

The ducts may need to be cleaned too. I'm not sure if it affects it (as I never had central heat/air before) but there was dust caked on by some of the vents.

Karen, do you find that the condo is typically cooler than other places in the winter? What is your opinion on electric heat?

If I have any questions after I hear from the heating company I'll forum mail you, if you wouldn't mind. Thank you again!

If anyone else has any input, I'd appreciate it!!!!