Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and worrisome, especially if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and normal operation returns after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for unease. In this situation, an unrelated power surge is the most likely cause.
However, you can’t ignore the situation if the breaker gets thrown over and over. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces require electricity to power the blower motor and other parts. Before you arrange furnace repair, consider the most common reasons your furnace may be tripping 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 might be a result of poor airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw might overwork the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore steady airflow and fix the problem:
- Change the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t place anything against the furnace or otherwise restrict airflow into it.
2. Overloaded Circuit
HVAC equipment is best used on a lone 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 resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is working. A smarter, more permanent solution is to have an electrician put in a dedicated circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker right as it begins running? This points to an electrical issue inside the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it brushes against a neutral wire or leads to a ground fault if it meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can affect the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to identify and fix the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Problem
If you eliminate any concerns with your furnace, the electrical panel could be to blame. Poor connections or faulty breakers might lead to finicky performance. If you have an older house, you could need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or incorrectly installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace may keep tripping the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to fix the issue on your own. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and reach out to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the issue and advise the necessary repair. We’re confident in our work, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to request furnace repair, give us a call at 561-629-1826 right away.
*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.