Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and troublesome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the source. If your breaker gets thrown once and normal function resumes after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for unease. In this situation, an unrelated power surge is the most likely source.
However, you can’t ignore the problem if the breaker gets thrown over and over. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces rely on electricity to power the blower motor and other pieces. Before you request furnace repair, think about the most typical reasons your furnace could be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overworked Furnace
Does your furnace work for a short time before tripping the breaker? This might point to limited airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw could overheat the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Try these tips to restore steady airflow and fix the problem:
- Change 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 impede airflow into it.
2. Full Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on its own circuit, but this might not occur in older homes. Find the labels on your electrical panel to determine 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 safer, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician install a new circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker as soon as it starts? This could be a result of an electrical problem inside 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 things can affect the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC professional like Donelson Air Service Experts to uncover and fix the issue.
4. Electrical Panel Issue
If you exclude any trouble with your furnace, the electrical panel may be the culprit. Loose connections or malfunctioning breakers can lead to inconsistent performance. If you live in an older home, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or inadequately installed. In this case, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace might keep tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to resolve the problem yourself. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Donelson Air Service Experts for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you find the issue and advise the necessary repair. We’re proud of our service, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to schedule furnace repair, call us at 615-953-9885 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.