Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and worrisome, especially if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker shuts off once and typical operation starts after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for distress. In this case, a surprise power surge is the most likely cause.
However, you can’t neglect the situation if the breaker gets thrown repeatedly. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces count on electricity to operate the blower motor and other pieces. Before you arrange furnace repair, think about the most typical reasons your furnace might be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overheated Furnace
Does your furnace work for a short time before flipping the breaker? This can point to restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw could overwork the system, strain the circuit andtrip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore normal airflow and resolve the issue:
- Replace the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make sure none are blocked by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t place anything against the furnace or otherwise impede airflow into it.
2. Full Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on a dedicated circuit, but this may not be the case in older homes. Review the labels on your electrical panel to find out 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 running. A smarter, more lasting solution is to have an electrician put in a dedicated circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker right as it begins running? This points to an electrical malfunction within the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it reaches a neutral wire or leads to a ground fault if it comes into contact with a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can increase the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC Expert like Eveready Service Experts to find and fix the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Problem
If you rule out any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel could be the culprit. Lax connections or faulty breakers will sometimes lead to inconsistent performance. If you live in an older house, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or poorly installed. In this case, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace may continue tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to repair the situation by yourself. If this occurs, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Eveready Service Experts for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the situation and suggest the required repair. We’re take pride in our work, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to schedule furnace repair, reach us at 804-548-4480 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.