Tripped circuit breakers are frustrating and worrisome, namely if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker trips once and average function starts after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for concern. In this case, a surprise power surge is typically the cause.
However, you can’t ignore the situation if the breaker flips again and again. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces need electricity to run the blower motor and other pieces. Before you schedule furnace repair, consider the most common reasons your furnace would be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can avoid it.
1. Overloaded Furnace
Does your furnace run for a short time before flipping the breaker? This could stem from weak airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw can overwork the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore consistent airflow and fix the problem:
- Replace the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t put anything against the furnace or otherwise block airflow into it.
2. Overworked Circuit
HVAC equipment should be on a lone circuit, but this might not happen in older homes. Find the labels on your electrical panel to determine if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a temporary precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is running. A wiser, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician put in a new circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker right as it begins running? This is frequently an electrical malfunction in the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it brushes against a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it comes into contact with a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can affect the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll need an HVAC specialist like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to find and fix the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Problem
If you exclude any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel may be to blame. Loose connections or damaged breakers might lead to inconsistent performance. If you own an older residence, you could need to have the panel replaced if it’s obsolete, damaged or poorly installed. In this case, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace may keep tripping the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to repair the issue on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you troubleshoot the issue and advise the required repair. We’re proud of our work, so we back it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to request furnace repair, call us at 403-279-5760 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.