Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and stressful, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker shuts off once and usual operation returns after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for distress. In this situation, an unforeseen power surge is typically the cause.
However, you can’t avoid the issue if the breaker gets thrown repeatedly. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces need electricity to operate the blower motor and other pieces. Before you arrange furnace repair, think about the most common reasons your furnace may be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overworked Furnace
Does your furnace run for a short time before tripping the breaker? This may be a result of reduced airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw can overwork the system, strain the circuit andthrow the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore consistent airflow and take care of the trouble:
- Swap out the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make sure none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t leave anything against the furnace or otherwise restrict airflow into it.
2. Overworked Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on a dedicated circuit, but this might not happen in older residences. Review the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a temporary measure, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is running. A smarter, more permanent solution is to have an electrician install a dedicated circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trip the circuit breaker right as it begins running? This may be evidence of an electrical issue in the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or creates a ground fault if it meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can increase the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC specialist like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to identify and fix the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Problem
If you eliminate any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel might be to blame. Poor connections or malfunctioning breakers might lead to erratic performance. If you have an older home, you could need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or incorrectly installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace could continue to trip the circuit breaker despite your efforts to remove the situation on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you find the situation and advise the needed repair. We’re take pride in our repair, so we back it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about us, or to schedule furnace repair, call us at 321-428-7635 today.
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.