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

Tripped circuit breakers are irritating 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 sudden cause for distress. In this situation, a surprise power surge is the most likely reason.

However, you can’t ignore the problem if the breaker trips repeatedly. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces rely on electricity to run the blower motor and other components. Before you request furnace repair, think about the most likely reasons your furnace might be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can avoid it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace start for a brief time before tripping the breaker? This might indicate restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw might overload the system, strain the circuit and throw the breaker. Try these tips to restore normal airflow and take care of the trouble:

• • Swap out the air filter.

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

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

2. Overworked Circuit

HVAC equipment should be on a lone circuit, but this might not happen in older residences. Inspect the labels on your electrical panel to determine 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 safer, more permanent solution is to have an electrician put in 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 points to 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 meets a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can affect the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to find and fix the trouble.

4. Electrical Panel Problem

If you eliminate any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel might be to blame. Loose connections or faulty breakers might lead to erratic performance. If you own an older home, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or inadequately installed. In this situation, you need assistance from an electrician.

Your furnace may continue to trip the circuit breaker regardless of your efforts to fix the problem on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you find the situation and advise the needed repair. We’re take pride in our repair, so we back it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information 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.