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

Tripped circuit breakers are annoying and worrisome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker gets thrown once and normal operation starts after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for alarm. In this situation, an unrelated power surge is probably the source. 

However, you can’t neglect the situation if the breaker gets thrown again and again. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces use electricity to run the blower motor and other parts. Before you schedule furnace repair, consider the most typical reasons your furnace could be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it. 

1. Overworked Furnace 

Does your furnace run for a brief time before flipping the breaker? This might point to restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw may overload the system, strain the circuit and throw the breaker. Try these tips to restore normal airflow and fix the trouble: 

  • Replace the air filter. 
  • Open all air registers and make certain none are blocked by furniture, curtains or rugs. 
  • Don’t place anything against the furnace or otherwise reduce airflow into it. 

2. Overworked Circuit 

HVAC equipment should be on its own circuit, but this might not happen in older houses. Inspect 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 running it while the furnace is in use. A safer, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician put in an individual circuit for your HVAC system. 

3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault 

Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker as soon as it starts? This points to an electrical problem within the furnace. An exposed wire could be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it touches a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can increase the electrical draw enough to trip the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to uncover and resolve the problem. 

4. Electrical Panel Trouble 

If you eliminate any malfunctions with your furnace, the electrical panel might be the source. Shaky connections or faulty breakers might lead to irregular performance. If you live in an older home, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this instance, you need help from an electrician. 

Your furnace might continue to trip the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to resolve the situation on your own. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the issue and advise the necessary repair. We’re take pride in our service, so we back it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to arrange furnace repair, call us at 866-397-3787 today. 

*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. 

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