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

Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and worrisome, namely if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and typical function returns after you reset it, there is no sudden cause for unease. In this case, an unforeseen power surge is the most likely cause.

However, you can’t ignore the problem if the breaker flips over and over. This might happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces count on electricity to run the blower motor and other pieces. Before you schedule furnace repair, think about the most typical reasons your furnace may be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can stop it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace work for a short time before flipping the breaker? This could point to poor airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The larger electrical draw can overheat the system, strain the circuit and trip the breaker. Try these tips to restore steady airflow and resolve the trouble:

• • Change the air filter.

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

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

2. Overloaded Circuit

HVAC equipment is best used on a dedicated circuit, but this might not happen in older homes. Inspect the labels on your electrical panel to find out if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As an interim measure, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is running. A smarter, more permanent solution is to have an electrician install an individual circuit for your HVAC system.

3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault

Does your furnace trigger the circuit breaker immediately upon startup? This may be evidence of an electrical problem inside the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it comes into contact with a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these issues can surge the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll need an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to uncover and repair the issue.

4. Electrical Panel Problem

If you eliminate any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel might be to blame. Shaky connections or damaged breakers will sometimes lead to irregular performance. If you have an older home, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or poorly installed. In this instance, you need assistance from an electrician.

Your furnace could keep tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to remove the situation yourself. If this happens, leave the furnace off and reach out to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the situation and recommend the required repair. We’re proud of our service, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to arrange 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.