Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and worrisome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and regular operation resumes after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for distress. In this case, an unforeseen power surge is probably the cause.
However, you can’t avoid the problem if the breaker gets thrown multiple times. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces use electricity to operate the blower motor and other components. Before you schedule furnace repair, think about the most common reasons your furnace would be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overheated Furnace
Does your furnace work for just a few minutes before throwing the breaker? This can imply weak airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw may overheat the system, strain the circuit andthrow the breaker. Try these tips to restore normal airflow and fix the issue:
- Replace 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 block airflow into it.
2. Overworked Circuit
HVAC equipment is best used on its own 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 an interim resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is working. A safer, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician put in a dedicated circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace flip the circuit breaker right as it begins running? This is frequently an electrical problem within the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these problems can surge the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll be better off with an HVAC professional like Epperson Service Experts to uncover and fix the trouble.
4. Electrical Panel Trouble
If you exclude any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel might be to blame. Loose connections or faulty breakers can lead to finicky performance. If you live in an older house, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s obsolete, damaged or poorly installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace might keep tripping the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to resolve the situation on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and reach out to Epperson Service Experts for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you find the situation and suggest the required repair. We’re confident in our work, 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 843-619-3781 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.