The invention discloses a method for improving the performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator. The system is capable of providing heat to targeted areas of an actuator so that valve performance can be improved during at least some operating conditions. The method comprises the step of stressing a current to the coils of the electrically operable mechanical valve, wherein, the current is enough to produce a power density in the coil, which can fully increase the temperature of the armature of the electrically operable mechanical valve.