Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and worrisome, namely if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker shuts off once and usual performance returns after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for unease. In this situation, an unrelated power surge is typically the reason.
However, you can’t avoid the issue if the breaker trips over and over. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces utilize electricity to power the blower motor and other components. Before you schedule furnace repair, double check the most likely reasons your furnace might be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can handle it.
1. Overloaded Furnace
Does your furnace run for just a few minutes before tripping the breaker? This could be a result of poor airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The resulting electrical draw may overload the system, strain the circuit andtrip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore proper airflow and resolve the issue:
- Swap out the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make sure none are obstructed by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t leave anything against the furnace or otherwise impede airflow into it.
2. Overworked Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on a dedicated circuit, but this might not happen in older homes. Examine the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a temporary precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid running it while the furnace is in use. A safer, 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 trip the circuit breaker immediately upon startup? This points to an electrical issue in the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it brushes against a neutral wire or creates a ground fault if it touches a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these problems can affect the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC Expert like Comfortech Service Experts to identify and resolve the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Problem
If you exclude any malfunctions with your furnace, the electrical panel might be to blame. Poor connections or damaged breakers may lead to inconsistent performance. If you have an older residence, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this case, you need assistance from an electrician.
Your furnace might continue tripping the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to fix the situation on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and call Comfortech Service Experts for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the situation and recommend 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, reach us at 601-852-3105 today.
*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.