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

Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and worrisome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker shuts off once and average performance returns after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for distress. In this situation, an unrelated power surge is the most likely reason. 

However, you can’t neglect the situation if the breaker gets thrown over and over. This can happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces use electricity to power the blower motor and other components. Before you schedule furnace repair, consider the most common reasons your furnace may be blowing the circuit breaker and how you can avoid it. 

1. Overloaded Furnace 

Does your furnace run for just a few minutes before throwing the breaker? This might imply limited airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents force your furnace to work harder. The resulting electrical draw can overwork the system, strain the circuit and flip the breaker. Here are some tips to restore proper airflow and fix the problem: 

• Change the air filter. 
• Open all air registers and make sure none are restricted by furniture, curtains or rugs. 
• Don’t lean anything against the furnace or otherwise block airflow into it. 

2. Full Circuit 

HVAC equipment is best used on a lone circuit, but this might not happen in older homes. Review the labels on your electrical panel to determine if another appliance shares a circuit with your furnace. As a brief resolution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is running. A smarter, more ongoing solution is to have an electrician install a new circuit for your HVAC system. 

3. Short Circuit or Ground Fault 

Does your furnace trip the circuit breaker right as it begins running? This points to an electrical issue inside the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it touches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it touches a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can increase the electrical draw enough to flip the circuit. You’ll be better off with an HVAC pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to uncover and fix the trouble. 

4. Electrical Panel Trouble 

If you rule out any concerns with your furnace, the electrical panel may be the culprit. Shaky connections or damaged breakers can lead to irregular performance. If you own an older home, you may need to have the panel replaced if it’s obsolete, damaged or inadequately installed. In this situation, you need the expertise of an electrician. 

Your furnace could keep tripping the circuit breaker despite your efforts to fix the issue yourself. If this happens, leave the furnace off and get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you find the problem and advise the necessary repair. We’re proud of our service, 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 954-736-4314 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.