Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and worrisome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker trips once and typical operation starts after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for unease. In this instance, an unrelated power surge is probably the reason.
However, you can’t avoid the problem if the breaker trips multiple times. This can 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 schedule 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 start for a brief time before flipping the breaker? This may be a result of restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The resulting electrical draw can overload the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Try these tips to restore unimpeded airflow and take care of the trouble:
- Replace the air filter.
- Open all air registers and make certain none are obstructed by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Don’t place anything against the furnace or otherwise reduce airflow into it.
2. Full Circuit
HVAC equipment is best used on a lone circuit, but this may not be the case in older homes. Examine the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As an interim measure, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is on. A wiser, more lasting solution is to have an electrician create an individual circuit for your HVAC system.
3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker immediately upon startup? This could be a result of an electrical malfunction within the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it reaches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it comes into contact with a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can surge the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll want an HVAC professional like McElroy Service Experts to find and fix the issue.
4. Electrical Panel Issue
If you exclude any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel may be to blame. Poor connections or malfunctioning breakers will sometimes lead to irregular performance. If you have an older home, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s obsolete, damaged or incorrectly installed. In this instance, you need help from an electrician.
Your furnace could continue to trip the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to repair the problem yourself. If this occurs, leave the furnace off and contact McElroy Service Experts for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the issue and suggest the necessary repair. We’re take pride in our service, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to schedule furnace repair, give us a call at 308-210-4398 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.