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

Tripped circuit breakers are irritating and worrisome, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the cause. If your breaker gets thrown once and regular function resumes after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for unease. In this case, an unforeseen power surge is typically the source.

However, you can’t ignore the issue if the breaker gets thrown again and again. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces need electricity to operate the blower motor and other parts. Before you schedule furnace repair, consider the most typical reasons your furnace would be tripping the circuit breaker and how you can prevent it.

1. Overworked Furnace

Does your furnace work for a brief time before throwing the breaker? This might imply poor airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents compels your furnace to work harder. The higher electrical draw can overload the system, strain the circuit andflip the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore unimpeded airflow and take care of the problem:

  • Swap out the air filter.
  • Open all air registers and make certain none are obstructed by furniture, curtains or rugs.
  • Don’t lean anything against the furnace or otherwise impede airflow into it.

2. Full Circuit

HVAC equipment does best on a dedicated circuit, but this might not happen in older homes. Check 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 operating it while the furnace is running. A safer, more ongoing 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 points to an electrical malfunction within the furnace. An exposed wire may be shorting out the circuit when it touches 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 affect the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll be better off with an HVAC specialist like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to identify and repair the problem.

4. Electrical Panel Problem

If you rule out any concerns with your furnace, the electrical panel might be the culprit. Shaky connections or faulty breakers will sometimes lead to erratic performance. If you live in an older residence, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s outdated, damaged or inadequately installed. In this instance, you need the expertise of an electrician.

Your furnace may keep tripping the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to resolve the issue on your own. If this happens, leave the furnace off and contact Winnipeg Supply Service Experts for support. Our HVAC Experts can help you identify the situation and advise the necessary repair. We’re take pride in our service, so we back it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to arrange furnace repair, give us a call at 204-800-0613 now.

*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.

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