4 Reasons Why Your Furnace is Shutting Off Your Circuit Breaker and How to Fix It

Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and worrisome, namely if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker shuts off once and normal performance returns after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for distress. In this case, a surprise power surge is the most likely reason.

However, you can’t avoid the issue if the breaker gets thrown again and again. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces rely on electricity to power the blower motor and other pieces. Before you request furnace repair, consider the most typical reasons your furnace would be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can handle it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace run for a brief time before flipping the breaker? This may imply limited airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw can overwork the system, strain the circuit and throw the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore proper airflow and resolve the trouble:

• • Swap out the air filter.

• • Open all air registers and ensure none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs.

• • Don’t lean anything against the furnace or otherwise impede airflow into it.

2. Overloaded Circuit

HVAC equipment is best used on a lone circuit, but this may not be the case in older homes. Inspect the labels on your electrical panel to learn if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As an interim precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid running it while the furnace is working. 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 right as it begins running? This points to an electrical malfunction within the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or leads to a ground fault if it comes into contact with a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can increase the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll need an HVAC Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to diagnose and fix the trouble.

4. Electrical Panel Issue

If you eliminate any problems with your furnace, the electrical panel could be to blame. Lax connections or damaged breakers might lead to irregular performance. If you own an older residence, you could need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or poorly installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.

Your furnace may continue to trip the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to fix the situation by yourself. If this is the case, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the problem and advise the required repair. We’re confident in our repair, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to request 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.