4 Reasons Why Your Furnace is Tripping Your Circuit Breaker and How to Solve It
Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and troublesome, namely if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker gets thrown once and normal performance returns after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for unease. In this instance, an unforeseen power surge is the most likely source.
However, you can’t avoid the issue if the breaker trips over and over. This might happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces depend on electricity to power the blower motor and other pieces. Before you request furnace repair, double check the most typical reasons your furnace would be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can stop it.
1. Overloaded Furnace
Does your furnace work for just a few minutes before tripping the breaker? This could imply limited airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw may overload the system, strain the circuit andthrow the breaker. Try these tips to restore proper airflow and resolve the trouble:
- Swap out the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make sure none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t lean anything against the furnace or otherwise restrict airflow into it.
2. Overloaded Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on a lone circuit, but this might not happen in older houses. Review the labels on your electrical panel to determine if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As an interim precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is running. A better, more permanent solution is to have an electrician install 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 points to an electrical malfunction within the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or leads to a ground fault if it touches a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can surge the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC Expert like San Antonio Air Service Experts to diagnose and repair the trouble.
4. Electrical Panel Trouble
If you exclude any concerns with your furnace, the electrical panel might be the source. Poor connections or faulty breakers can lead to erratic performance. If you have an older home, you could need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this situation, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace might continue tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to remove the situation yourself. If this occurs, leave the furnace off and reach out to San Antonio Air Service Experts for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the problem and advise the necessary repair. We’re confident in our repair, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about us, or to request furnace repair, call us at 210-570-9705 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.
