Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and troublesome, especially if it seems like the furnace is the source. If your breaker gets thrown once and typical operation resumes after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for unease. In this case, a surprise power surge is typically the source.
However, you can’t ignore the problem if the breaker trips again and again. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces use electricity to operate the blower motor and other pieces. Before you schedule furnace repair, think about the most likely reasons your furnace may be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overloaded Furnace
Does your furnace start for just a few minutes before throwing the breaker? This might imply limited airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw could overload the system, strain the circuit andthrow the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore consistent airflow and take care of the trouble:
- Replace the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make sure none are blocked by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t put anything against the furnace or otherwise reduce airflow into it.
2. Full Circuit
HVAC equipment is best used on a dedicated circuit, but this might not happen in older homes. Examine the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a brief measure, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is working. A wiser, more permanent solution is to have an electrician install a new circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker right as it begins running? This is frequently an electrical problem inside the furnace. An exposed wire could be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can surge the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to diagnose and resolve the issue.
4. Electrical Panel Trouble
If you exclude any problems with your furnace, the electrical panel may be the culprit. Lax connections or damaged breakers can lead to inconsistent performance. If you have an older residence, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or poorly installed. In this situation, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace may keep tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to resolve the situation on your own. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and reach out to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the situation and recommend the needed repair. We’re confident in our repair, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to arrange furnace repair, give us a call at 330-269-7235 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.