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

Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and worrisome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and regular operation resumes after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for unease. In this case, a surprise power surge is typically the source.

However, you can’t neglect the problem if the breaker flips multiple times. This might happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces count on electricity to run the blower motor and other parts. Before you arrange furnace repair, consider the most likely reasons your furnace could be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can avoid it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace work for a brief time before tripping the breaker? This could stem from weak airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The increased electrical draw could overheat the system, strain the circuit and trip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore proper airflow and resolve the problem:

• • Change the air filter.

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

• • Don’t place anything against the furnace or otherwise restrict airflow into it.

2. Full Circuit

HVAC equipment does best on a lone circuit, but this may not be the case in older houses. Check the labels on your electrical panel to determine if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a temporary measure, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid running it while the furnace is working. A wiser, more permanent solution is to have an electrician create a new 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 inside the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it reaches a neutral wire or leads to a ground fault if it meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these problems can surge the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC specialist like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to uncover and repair the problem.

4. Electrical Panel Problem

If you exclude any concerns with your furnace, the electrical panel could be the culprit. Loose connections or faulty breakers can lead to erratic performance. If you own an older home, you could need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or incorrectly installed. In this situation, you need the expertise of an electrician.

Your furnace may continue tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to fix the issue yourself. If this occurs, leave the furnace off and reach out to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the issue and recommend the needed repair. We’re confident in our repair, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about us, or to schedule 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.