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

Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and stressful, namely if it seems like the furnace is the source. If your breaker trips once and regular operation returns after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for concern. In this situation, an unrelated power surge is probably the cause.

However, you can’t neglect the issue if the breaker trips repeatedly. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces count on electricity to operate the blower motor and other parts. Before you request furnace repair, double check the most typical reasons your furnace could be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.

1. Overloaded Furnace

Does your furnace run for a short time before throwing the breaker? This might imply restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw may overheat the system, strain the circuit and trip the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore consistent airflow and fix the trouble:

• • Swap out the air filter.

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

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

2. Overworked Circuit

HVAC equipment does best on a lone circuit, but this may not be the case in older houses. Examine the labels on your electrical panel to determine if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a temporary precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is in use. A safer, 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 trip the circuit breaker as soon as it starts? This could be a result of an electrical issue inside the furnace. An exposed wire could be shorting out the circuit when it brushes against a neutral wire or creates a ground fault if it comes into contact with 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 specialist like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to diagnose and repair the issue.

4. Electrical Panel Problem

If you rule out any trouble with your furnace, the electrical panel may be the culprit. Poor connections or malfunctioning breakers will sometimes lead to irregular performance. If you live in an older house, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.

Your furnace might continue tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to resolve the issue yourself. If this happens, leave the furnace off and reach out to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for assistance. Our HVAC Experts can help you troubleshoot the issue and suggest 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, give us a call 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.