Tripped circuit breakers are frustrating and troublesome, especially if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker shuts off once and typical operation starts after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for concern. In this instance, a surprise power surge is probably the source.
However, you can’t avoid the situation if the breaker flips over and over. This might happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces depend on electricity to operate the blower motor and other pieces. Before you schedule furnace repair, think about the most typical reasons your furnace could be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.
1. Overheated Furnace
Does your furnace start for a brief time before throwing the breaker? This can indicate weak airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The increased electrical draw could overheat the system, strain the circuit andtrip the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore consistent airflow and fix the issue:
- Change the air filter.
- Open all air registers and ensure none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t leave anything against the furnace or otherwise reduce airflow into it.
2. Overloaded Circuit
HVAC equipment does best on a dedicated circuit, but this may not be the case in older homes. Find the labels on your electrical panel to find out if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a brief measure, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is in use. A better, more lasting solution is to have an electrician put in an individual circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace flip the circuit breaker immediately upon startup? This points to an electrical problem in the furnace. An exposed wire might 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 affect the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll be better off with an HVAC specialist like D&K Home Services by Enercare to uncover and resolve the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Problem
If you rule out any concerns with your furnace, the electrical panel could be to blame. Shaky connections or malfunctioning breakers might lead to irregular performance. If you live in an older house, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or inadequately installed. In this situation, you need assistance from an electrician.
Your furnace could keep tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to fix the situation yourself. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and reach out to D&K Home Services by Enercare for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the issue and suggest the needed repair. We’re take pride in our service, so we back it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about us, or to request furnace repair, reach us at 613-707-2421 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.