Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and troublesome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the source. If your breaker gets thrown once and regular function resumes after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for concern. In this case, a surprise power surge is the most likely source.
However, you can’t neglect the issue if the breaker flips multiple times. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces utilize electricity to power the blower motor and other pieces. Before you arrange furnace repair, consider the most likely reasons your furnace may be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can avoid it.
1. Overheated Furnace
Does your furnace start for a short time before flipping the breaker? This might stem from restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The increased electrical draw might overheat the system, strain the circuit andtrip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore consistent airflow and take care of the trouble:
- Swap out the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are blocked by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t place anything against the furnace or otherwise block airflow into it.
2. Overloaded Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on its own circuit, but this might not happen in older residences. Check 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 running. A wiser, more permanent solution is to have an electrician create a dedicated circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trip the circuit breaker immediately upon startup? This is frequently an electrical issue within the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or creates a ground fault if it touches a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can increase the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll need an HVAC specialist like Church Services to uncover and repair the issue.
4. Electrical Panel Issue
If you eliminate any trouble with your furnace, the electrical panel could be to blame. Shaky connections or malfunctioning breakers will sometimes lead to erratic performance. If you live in an older house, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, 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 repair the problem by yourself. If this happens, leave the furnace off and reach out to Church Services for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the situation and advise the needed repair. We’re confident in our service, 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 713-396-3760 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.