Restring Kit for Furnace Heating Elements

Since many older heating elements are no longer available, your only option may be to repair them using this restring kit. Restringing an element simply means replacing the heating coil with a new one. New limit switches should also be installed. These restring kits are not recommended for the newer heating elements that have a shorter but wider diameter coil.

Correct wattage and voltage should be verified before ordering. Our most popular kit includes one 240V 5000 watt (5KW) 11/32" close-wound coil, two 10/32 x 1-3/4" screw attached, two female ceramic bushings, two male ceramic bushings, nuts and washers. All parts may not be needed for your specific heating element, and some parts may not be included but hopefully those parts are reusable from your old element. Some elements require two or more kits. Each 5000 watt coil has a length of 40" to 125". Do not overstretch! The diameter of the wire may be a bit smaller than your original wire, and that's OK.

3500 and 3000 watt restring kits are also available. 3500 watt (3.5KW) coils has a length of 32" to 105". 3000 watt (3.0KW) coils have a lengh of 29" to 93". The diameter of both coils is 5/16". Just e-mail us if you are unsure which kit to order.

To determine the correct wattage, add up the Killowats (KW's) of the coils. The total should be near or above the total Kilowats (KW's) of your furnace. For instance, if you have a 9.6KW furnace with two coils, then you'll need two 5KW coils. Remember, 1000 watts equals 1 KW. Never install coils of different KW's in the same element.

If you find your coils burned, the cause may be that the coils aren't getting enough air and getting too hot. Be sure your filters are clean. Maintaining a clean furnace is also important in ensuring proper airflow over your heating elements.

Some restring kits comes with a fuse. If your element already includes a limit switch, the fuse is not necessary.

Restringing Service

If you do not feel comfortable restringing, try our restringing service. For most elements, we can restring them for $50 plus the cost of the kit(s) and return shipping. New limit switches are also recommended and sold separately. We also buy old heating elements (see below).

To hire us to restring your element, print the following form and send it to us along with your heating element(s) and payment. Contact us if any questions. We offer a 1 year guarantee on all elements that we restring.

Do-It-Yourself Restringing Instructions

Before starting, be sure you have all the parts you need to complete the job. This includes one restring kit for each coil, and we recommend new limit switches. Correct wattage and voltage should be verified. We also recommend using rubber gloves when handling the new coils as you don't want to get any oil & dirt from your hands on them.

Step 1: Turn off electrical power to unit. You may have more than one circuit, so check for other breakers or fuses. Then disconnect the electrical connections to the unit after testing with a meter to ensure that indeed all the power has been cut.

Step 2: Take careful notes on how the heating element is wired. Taking pictures is also a good idea. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to reinstall your heating element and not remembering where the wires go. Once the wiring is documented, remove the heating element or elements from the unit.

Step 3: Remove the coils from the old heating element by first removing the nuts at the face plate. Keep one old coil in tact so you can figure the length to stretch the new coil. Otherwise, it may be easiest to cut the coils with a wire cutters for ease of removal. Be careful when removing as you do not want to break any of the insulators. Again, make notes or take pictures as the new coil must be installed in the exact same pattern as the old one was removed.

Step 4: Remove the old limit switches. Generally they are held in place with 2 screws.

Step 5: With all the parts removed from the heating element, now is the time to give it a good cleaning. Warm soapy water in a kitchen sink and a faucet sprayer is one way of cleaning it. Dry completely before continuing.

Step 6: Wearing rubber gloves and working in a clean dry environment, stretch the new coil to the length of the old coil. In most cases, you are better to error on the side of being a little long than being a little short. Enlist a helper and stretch the new coil by holding onto the bolts on each end. Do not overstretch and take care not to damage the resistant wire. Carefully bend the wire on the end so the bolt is straight with the coil.

Step 7: Carefully feed the coil through the ceramic insulators. It's easiest to start in the middle and feed each side. Be sure the replacement coil feeds through the insulators the same way the old one did. Minimize sags and variations between insulators.

Step 8: Feed bolt ends into face plate using the 2-piece ceramic insulators. Secure with locknut and screw.

Step 9: Install a new limit switch or switches.

Step 10: Inspect assembly for a minimum of 3/8" spacing between the coil and any frame or unit members. Doublecheck that all ceramic insulators & supports are in their original position and have not jumped out of place or broken. If all is OK, insert heating element back into unit and reconnect power.

Repairable Heating Elements

The following models of heating elements are no longer available and can be repaired using this restring kit. If your model isn't shown, most likely it can still be repaired using this kit as long as the coil is accessible.

Coleman Heating Elements (partial list)
3110-3361, 3110-5361, 3110A5361.
3112-3361, 3112-5361, 3112A5361.
3115-3361, 3115-5361, 3115A5361, 3200-5361, 3200A5361, 3200-3391.
3118-3361, 3118-5361, 3118A5361.
3120-3361, 3120-5361, 3120A5361, 3120B5361.
3123-3361, 3123-5361, 3123A5361, 3123B5361.
3200-3261, 3200-3391, 3200-5361, 3200-6261, 3200-8301, 3200A5361, 3200A6261.
Most 3300 series heating elements.
3400-3321, 3400-3331, 3400-3341, 3400-3351, 3400-3361, 3400-3371, 3400-3381.
3400-3481, 3400A4201.
New 3500 series heating elements are still available.

Nordyne-Intertherm-Miller Heating Elements (partial list)
432721, 432722, 432723, 432731, 432732, 432733.
4327210, 4327220, 4327230, 4327310, 4327320.
6316480, 6316470.
631690, 631691, 631692, 631693, 631694.
6316900, 6316910, 6316920, 6316930, 6316940.
902818, 902819, 902820, 902821, 902822, 902823, 902824.
Some heating elements for Mac furnaces.

We Buy Old Heating Elements

Got an old heating element? Are you retiring your old Coleman or Nordyne electric furnace? We'll pay you $10 for each old heating element. The elements don't need to be working, but they need to be in good shape. We'll also refund you $8.50 for shipping. If you have a heating element for sale, please contact us. We pay upon receipt of element.

Please note that unless otherwise stated, all heating elements shown for sale on our website our brand new from the factory. Refurbished elements may be available for sale, and will be indicated as 'refurbished' and will come with a 1-year warranty.