4 Reasons Why Your Furnace is Tripping Your Circuit Breaker and How to Solve It

Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and worrisome, especially if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and regular performance returns after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for alarm. In this case, a surprise power surge is the most likely source.

However, you can’t neglect the problem if the breaker flips again and again. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces utilize electricity to run the blower motor and other pieces. Before you request furnace repair, think about the most likely reasons your furnace may be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can stop it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace start for a brief time before throwing the breaker? This can indicate limited airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw may overload the system, strain the circuit and flip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore consistent airflow and take care of the problem:

• • Change the air filter.

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

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

2. Full Circuit

HVAC equipment should be on a lone circuit, but this might not occur in older homes. Examine the labels on your electrical panel to find out if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As an interim resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is on. A smarter, more lasting solution is to have an electrician create a dedicated 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 issue within the furnace. An exposed wire could be shorting out the circuit when it brushes against a neutral wire or leads to a ground fault if it touches a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these problems can surge the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll be better off with an HVAC Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to identify and repair the issue.

4. Electrical Panel Issue

If you exclude any malfunctions with your furnace, the electrical panel may be to blame. Lax connections or faulty breakers will sometimes lead to finicky performance. If you own an older home, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or incorrectly installed. In this situation, you need help from an electrician.

Your furnace might keep tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to repair the problem on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the situation and recommend the required repair. We’re take pride in our work, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about us, or to request furnace repair, reach us 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.