4 Reasons Why Your Furnace is Shutting Off Your Circuit Breaker and How to Repair It

Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and worrisome, namely if it seems like the furnace is the source. If your breaker trips once and normal performance starts after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for concern. In this instance, an unrelated power surge is typically the cause.

However, you can’t ignore the situation if the breaker trips over and over. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces need electricity to power the blower motor and other parts. Before you arrange furnace repair, review the most likely reasons your furnace may be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace work for a brief time before flipping the breaker? This might indicate restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The resulting electrical draw may overload the system, strain the circuit and flip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore normal airflow and resolve the issue:

• • Replace the air filter.

• • Open all air registers and make certain none are obstructed by furniture, curtains or rugs.

• • Don’t put anything against the furnace or otherwise block airflow into it.

2. Overloaded Circuit

HVAC equipment does best on a lone 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 an interim resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is on. A safer, more permanent solution is to have an electrician install an individual circuit for your HVAC system.

3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault

Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker immediately upon startup? This is frequently an electrical problem 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 meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can increase the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to identify and resolve the issue.

4. Electrical Panel Problem

If you exclude any problems with your furnace, the electrical panel might be the source. Loose connections or malfunctioning breakers can lead to finicky performance. If you have an older house, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this case, you need the expertise of an electrician.

Your furnace may keep tripping the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to remove the problem by yourself. If this occurs, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the situation and suggest the needed repair. We’re take pride in our service, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to request furnace repair, give us a call at 866-397-3787 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.