Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and troublesome, namely if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and average operation starts after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for alarm. In this situation, an unforeseen power surge is typically the cause.
However, you can’t neglect the problem if the breaker gets thrown multiple times. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces require electricity to power the blower motor and other pieces. Before you schedule furnace repair, review the most likely reasons your furnace could be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overworked Furnace
Does your furnace run for just a few minutes before tripping the breaker? This may stem from restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw can overwork the system, strain the circuit andthrow the breaker. Here are some tips to restore proper airflow and fix the trouble:
- Swap out the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are obstructed by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t leave anything against the furnace or otherwise impede airflow into it.
2. Overloaded Circuit
HVAC equipment is best used on a lone circuit, but this may not be the case in older residences. Review the labels on your electrical panel to find out if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a brief resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is in use. A smarter, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician create 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 points to an electrical problem in the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it brushes against a neutral wire or creates a ground fault if it comes into contact with a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these problems can affect the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to uncover and resolve the trouble.
4. Electrical Panel Issue
If you exclude any trouble with your furnace, the electrical panel could be the culprit. Poor connections or damaged breakers will sometimes lead to inconsistent performance. If you own an older house, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s obsolete, damaged or inadequately installed. In this situation, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace might keep tripping the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to remove the problem by yourself. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you troubleshoot the situation and suggest the required repair. We’re confident in our work, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to request furnace repair, call us at 587-404-0790 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.