Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and stressful, especially if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker shuts off once and average function starts after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for alarm. In this instance, an unrelated power surge is probably the reason.
However, you can’t ignore the problem if the breaker trips multiple times. This might happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces need electricity to run the blower motor and other components. Before you schedule furnace repair, double check the most typical reasons your furnace might be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overheated Furnace
Does your furnace work for just a few minutes before flipping the breaker? This may imply restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw can overload the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore proper airflow and resolve the trouble:
- Replace the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are obstructed by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t leave anything against the furnace or otherwise block airflow into it.
2. Overworked Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on a lone circuit, but this might not happen in older houses. Examine the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a brief resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid running it while the furnace is in use. A smarter, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician install a dedicated circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trip the circuit breaker as soon as it starts? This points to an electrical malfunction inside the furnace. An exposed wire may 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 problems can affect the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC pro like Atmostemp Service Experts to uncover and resolve the issue.
4. Electrical Panel Trouble
If you exclude any malfunctions with your furnace, the electrical panel might be the culprit. Loose connections or malfunctioning breakers can lead to finicky performance. If you live in an older residence, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or inadequately installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace could keep tripping the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to remove the situation yourself. If this happens, leave the furnace off and contact Atmostemp Service Experts for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the situation and suggest the necessary repair. We’re proud of our service, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to schedule furnace repair, give us a call at 856-310-4824 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.