Tripped circuit breakers are frustrating and stressful, especially if it seems like the furnace is the source. If your breaker gets thrown once and typical performance returns after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for concern. In this instance, an unrelated power surge is the most likely cause.
However, you can’t neglect the issue if the breaker trips multiple times. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces rely on electricity to operate the blower motor and other components. Before you arrange
furnace repair, consider the most typical reasons your furnace may be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can avoid it.
1. Overloaded Furnace
Does your furnace work for just a few minutes before throwing the breaker? This may stem from weak airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw might overload the system, strain the circuit and throw the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore unimpeded airflow and take care of the problem:
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- Open all air registers and make sure none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.
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- Don’t leave anything against the furnace or otherwise block airflow into it.
2. Overworked Circuit
HVAC equipment should be on a dedicated circuit, but this may not be the case in older residences. Inspect the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a temporary measure, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid running it while the furnace is on. 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 as soon as it starts? This points to an electrical problem inside the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or leads to a ground fault if it touches a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can surge the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to identify and fix the issue.
4. Electrical Panel Trouble
If you eliminate any problems with your furnace, the electrical panel could be the source. Shaky connections or damaged breakers may lead to erratic performance. If you live in an older house, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or inadequately installed. In this instance, you need assistance from an electrician.
Your furnace might keep tripping the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to fix the issue by yourself. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the problem and suggest the necessary repair. We’re proud of our work, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to request furnace repair, give us a call at 403-279-5760 now.
*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.
