Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and worrisome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker gets thrown once and regular function returns after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for alarm. In this situation, a surprise power surge is probably the source.
However, you can’t ignore the situation if the breaker flips repeatedly. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces rely on electricity to power the blower motor and other components. Before you request furnace repair, think about the most typical reasons your furnace would be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can stop it.
1. Overworked Furnace
Does your furnace work for just a few minutes before throwing the breaker? This might indicate restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw can overheat the system, strain the circuit andthrow the breaker. Here are some tips to restore consistent airflow and fix the trouble:
- Swap out the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t put anything against the furnace or otherwise impede airflow into it.
2. Full Circuit
HVAC equipment should be on a lone circuit, but this may not be the case in older residences. Inspect 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 working. A wiser, more lasting solution is to have an electrician install a new 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 malfunction inside the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it reaches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can increase the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll be better off with an HVAC specialist like Komfort Air Service Experts to find and repair the problem.
4. Electrical Panel Issue
If you exclude any problems with your furnace, the electrical panel might be to blame. Poor connections or malfunctioning breakers could lead to irregular performance. If you own an older house, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this situation, you need the expertise of an electrician.
Your furnace may continue tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to repair the situation yourself. If this happens, leave the furnace off and reach out to Komfort Air Service Experts for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the situation and advise the required repair. We’re confident in our repair, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to arrange furnace repair, call us at 704-705-8135 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.