Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and troublesome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker gets thrown once and typical performance returns after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for unease. In this case, a surprise power surge is typically the reason.
However, you can’t neglect the issue if the breaker gets thrown again and again. This might happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces utilize electricity to run the blower motor and other pieces. Before you schedule furnace repair, review the most common reasons your furnace would be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can stop it.
1. Overworked Furnace
Does your furnace work for a brief time before flipping the breaker? This could point to weak airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw might overload the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore proper airflow and resolve the trouble:
- Change the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are blocked by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t leave anything against the furnace or otherwise impede airflow into it.
2. Overloaded Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on a lone circuit, but this might not happen in older homes. Check the labels on your electrical panel to find out if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As an interim resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is in use. A wiser, more lasting solution is to have an electrician put in an individual circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trip the circuit breaker immediately upon startup? This points to an electrical problem in the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it reaches a neutral wire or creates 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 be better off with an HVAC Expert like All American Air Service Experts to find and resolve the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Issue
If you eliminate any concerns with your furnace, the electrical panel could be the culprit. Shaky connections or faulty breakers may lead to erratic performance. If you live in an older residence, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed.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 may keep tripping the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to remove the problem on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and contact All American Air Service Experts for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you find the issue 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 information about us, or to arrange furnace repair, give us a call at 386-310-2061 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.