Hi everyone. I have a question about an electric heater I just got. It is a Dayton model TYV14, 240 volt, 38 amp, 9.2kwh.

It seems to be working OK, thermostat is OK, but the question I have is should it make a humming sound, even when not in a heating/blowing cycle? There is a very quiet hum from the unit at all times. It is brand new, so hopefully in good working order.

Is a hum normal in this case?

Thank you,

Melody

Sorry but I had no luck finding the Dayton heater you have, but I suspect it has a small control transformer inside for the thermostat and contactor control circuit, and this is what you hear humming.

All transformers hum, and as long as it is not objectionable, it should be fine. The mounting screws may be loose a bit for the transfomer. Or it may be just the nature of this unit, imagine a small hum inside a metal can, similar to a musical instrument, the low sound is being amplified by the metal can.

I often find that my room is quieter when I turn all the switches off, although it isn't loud enough to be anything but "silent" when they are on, I hear a noticeable difference when I turn them off.

As tk says, it's the transformers that are used to change voltage ratings for use with different appliances, and is completely normal for them to make (some) noise. - Just like the humming from power transformer stations in your neighborhood, same principle, just smaller.

Thanks to both of you. I was just concerned that it was some kind of major defect, but if it sort of normal for a transformer to hum all the time, then that is what it is, as this unit does have a transformer.

Thanks again!