Grandaire 5kW Breakered Heat Strip for WCVL Air Handlers, WEAH05EAA
The Grandaire WEAH05EAA is a 5kW breakered electric heat strip built for the smaller Grandaire WCVL multi-position air handlers. It adds about 17,060 BTU/h of electric resistance heat to a 2 or 3 ton WCVL system. That heat works as auxiliary backup when the heat pump needs help on cold mornings, and as emergency heat if the outdoor unit is down. It's a good fit for homeowners and contractors in mild-winter regions who want dependable supplemental heat without oversizing the electrical service. The built-in circuit breaker gives the heater its own disconnect and overcurrent protection inside the air handler. Browse more Grandaire HVAC equipment.
Is a 5kW Heat Strip the Right Size?
A 5kW strip is the entry-level backup heat choice for a WCVL air handler. It suits smaller homes, condos, and climates where a heat pump carries most of the winter load and the strips only run briefly during defrost or on the coldest nights. According to Grandaire's WCVL heater compatibility data, 5kW is approved for the 2 ton (WCVL245CB) and 3 ton (WCVL365CC) units only.
The right heat strip depends on the home's heat loss: insulation levels, window quality, duct location, your local winter design temperature, and how far the heat pump's output drops as it gets colder outside. Supply voltage matters too, because a resistance heater puts out less heat on 208V than on 230V. If your area sees long stretches below freezing, a larger strip may be the better choice.
Ideal for: 2 and 3 ton Grandaire WCVL heat pump systems in Florida, the Gulf Coast, and other mild-winter regions, as well as condos, smaller single-family homes, and replacement jobs where electrical capacity is limited.
Need more capacity? Step up to the Grandaire 10kW Breakered Heat Strip, WEAH10EAA for colder climates or WCVL air handlers from 2 to 5 tons.
Heat strip sizing recommendations are general guidelines only. Actual requirements depend on home heat loss, insulation, climate, supply voltage, and heat pump balance point. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Heat Strip | WEAH05EAA — 5kW Breakered Electric Heat Strip |
|---|---|
| Heating Output | 5 kW nominal (approx. 17,060 BTU/h) |
| Circuit Protection | Breakered — built-in circuit breaker |
| Compatible Air Handlers | Grandaire WCVL 2 Ton (WCVL245CB) and 3 Ton (WCVL365CC) |
| Application | Auxiliary, Backup, and Emergency Electric Heat |
| Air Handler Refrigerant | R-454B WCVL Series |
| Electrical | 208/230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz (not for 115V supply) |
| Installation | Field-installed in the WCVL heater compartment |
The WEAH05EAA slides into the heater compartment of a compatible Grandaire WCVL air handler and wires to the unit's control board, giving the heat pump a staged source of electric heat. Grandaire's WCVL service literature lists a manual, foam gasket, mounting screws, a silicone breaker cover, a wiring diagram, and a circuit breaker label as heater accessories. Product photo is a stock image; the actual heat strip may vary in appearance.
Heat Strip & Air Handler Features
WEAH05EAA 5kW Breakered Heat Strip
- 5kW nominal electric resistance heat, about 17,060 BTU/h
- Integrated circuit breaker for overcurrent protection and a service disconnect
- Purpose-built for the Grandaire WCVL multi-position air handler
- Approved for the 2 ton WCVL245CB and 3 ton WCVL365CC
- Covers heat pump defrost cycles and supplemental heat calls
- Provides emergency heat if the outdoor unit is out of service
- Requires a 208/230V single-phase supply
- Smallest electrical load of the WCVL heat strip options we carry
Grandaire WCVL Multi-Position Air Handler
- Installs upflow or horizontal for attic, closet, or crawlspace jobs
- Multi-voltage cabinet, 115V or 208/230V (electric heat requires 208/230V)
- Constant-airflow ECM 2.0 blower motor
- Electronic expansion valve (EEV) metering
- All-aluminum evaporator coil
- Designed for R-454B refrigerant
- Works with a 24V thermostat or the optional WKJR120NX6W communicating controller
- 7-year limited parts warranty on the air handler
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Grandaire WCVL air handlers accept the WEAH05EAA?
Grandaire's WCVL heater compatibility data approves 5kW for the 2 ton WCVL245CB and the 3 ton WCVL365CC. The 4 and 5 ton WCVL cabinets need a larger heat strip.
How many BTUs does a 5kW heat strip put out?
One kilowatt equals about 3,412 BTU/h, so the WEAH05EAA delivers roughly 17,060 BTU/h at its rated voltage. Expect somewhat less on a 208V supply.
Can I use this heat strip if my WCVL is wired for 115V?
No. The WCVL cabinet accepts 115V, but Grandaire states that the electric heater cannot be installed when the power supply is 115V. The heat strip requires a 208/230V single-phase circuit.
Why choose 5kW instead of a bigger heat strip?
In mild climates where the heat pump handles almost all of the heating, a 5kW strip covers defrost and occasional backup with the lowest amp draw. That can mean smaller wire and breaker sizes, and less strain on a crowded electrical panel.
Does the WEAH05EAA have its own circuit breaker?
Yes. This is a breakered heat strip with a built-in circuit breaker, which protects the heater circuit and lets a technician shut off heater power at the air handler.
Will the heat strip I receive look exactly like the product photo?
Not necessarily. The image is a stock photo, and the actual heat strip may vary in appearance. The model number, WEAH05EAA, is what confirms fit and rating.
