Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and troublesome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and normal operation starts after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for alarm. In this instance, an unrelated power surge is typically the source.
However, you can’t neglect the situation if the breaker trips repeatedly. This might happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces use electricity to run the blower motor and other pieces. Before you request furnace repair, review the most common reasons your furnace would be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overheated Furnace
Does your furnace work for a brief time before flipping the breaker? This may be a result of limited airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw may overload the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Try these tips to restore normal airflow and resolve the trouble:
- Replace the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make sure none are blocked by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t place anything against the furnace or otherwise block airflow into it.
2. Overloaded Circuit
HVAC equipment should be on a dedicated circuit, but this may not be the case in older houses. Inspect the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a brief precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is working. A wiser, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician create a new 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 malfunction 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 things can affect the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to find and resolve the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Problem
If you exclude any trouble with your furnace, the electrical panel may be the source. Poor connections or damaged breakers will sometimes lead to erratic performance. If you have an older residence, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace could continue tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to repair the situation on your own. If this occurs, leave the furnace off and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the situation and advise the needed repair. We’re confident in our service, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to schedule furnace repair, give us a call at 540-302-8645 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.