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

Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and stressful, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the culprit. If your breaker shuts off once and average operation resumes after you reset it, there is no abrupt cause for concern. In this situation, an unrelated power surge is typically the reason.

However, you can’t avoid the situation if the breaker trips repeatedly. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces rely on electricity to operate the blower motor and other pieces. Before you arrange furnace repair, consider the most common reasons your furnace would be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can avoid it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace start for just a few minutes before tripping the breaker? This could imply poor airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw might overheat the system, strain the circuit and throw the breaker. Try these tips to restore unimpeded airflow and resolve the issue:

• • Replace the air filter.

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

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

2. Overloaded Circuit

HVAC equipment should be on a lone circuit, but this may not be the case in older houses. Review the labels on your electrical panel to find out if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a temporary precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid using it while the furnace is on. A safer, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician put in a new circuit for your HVAC system.

3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault

Does your furnace flip the circuit breaker as soon as it starts? This points to an electrical issue inside the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it reaches 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 increase the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll need an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to diagnose and repair the trouble.

4. Electrical Panel Trouble

If you exclude any issues with your furnace, the electrical panel may be the source. Loose connections or malfunctioning breakers may lead to inconsistent performance. If you own an older house, you could need to have the panel replaced if it’s too old, damaged or inadequately installed. In this case, you need the expertise of an electrician.

Your furnace may continue tripping the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to resolve 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 problem and advise the required repair. We’re proud of our repair, so we stand behind it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about us, or to schedule 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.