Reasons Your Furnace Circuit Breaker Trips and Their Solutions
The problem with a broken furnace is always inconvenient and can be even more significant during the cold months. An often-faced problem by homeowners is the tripped furnace circuit breaker.
Some reasons for this are:
- Clogged Furnace Filter: This can lead to a slower furnace and increase the load.
- Blocked Air Vents: They limit the airflow, thus resulting in the insufficient release of hot air.
- Faulty Furnace Motor: This can cause the release of high electric current.
- Leaking HVAC Ductwork: Inefficient heating or cooling of the system, thus, the system operates longer.
- Electric Panel Issues: Loose connections, faulty breakers, and damaged wiring can cause circuit breakers to trip.
- Overloaded and Shared Circuit: Two appliances are running on one circuit breaker.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Check the Furnace Air Filter: Proper air filter inspection and replacement if necessary.
- Ensure Unblocked HVAC Air Vents: Clean the air vents without blockage.
- Call an Installation Contractor: Experts will inspect the furnace for damages and their solutions.
Does a Circuit Breaker Trip After Furnace Installation?
A circuit breaker can trip after furnace installation for various reasons. Some of the common causes include:
1. Wrong wiring
2. Overloading consequent to harmful components
3. Inadequate circuit capacity
A qualified furnace installation technician must conduct a thorough inspection to uncover any problems and take appropriate action for the furnace to function safely and effectively.
Why Furnaces Need Electricity?
Despite relying on fuel for heat production, furnaces have components that require electricity. A steady flow of electricity ensures optimal performance, and interruptions can lead to a malfunction.
Blower Motor
Essential for circulating warm air throughout the house, the blower motor requires electricity. A power cut will leave warm air trapped in the furnace.
Electronic Ignition
Newer furnace models use electronic ignition, which depends on electricity. Unlike older pilot lights, electronic ignitions can’t operate without power.
6 Possible Reasons for Circuit Breaker Trips
Regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and addressing potential causes of overloads are essential in ensuring the reliable operation of your furnace and preventing circuit breaker trips. Consulting with qualified furnace installation contractors can help identify and resolve more complex problems if issues persist.
Clogged Furnace Filter
This can lead to a slower airflow as the furnace maintains the required temperature. This increased working load also boosts electrical demand, which may cause a circuit breaker trip. Ensure proper ventilation by regularly inspecting and replacing air filters to prevent overloading.
Blocked HVAC Air Vents or Registers
When vents or registers are blocked, the airflow is limited, thus resulting in the insufficient release of hot air from the furnace. When the system fails to control airflow efficiently, it stimulates overheating and activates the circuit breaker. Make sure all vents and registers have no obstructions to maximize HVAC functioning.
Faulty Furnace Motor
A malfunctioning furnace blower motor can deliver large currents and trip the circuit breaker as a safety measure. In case the motor has problems such as wear and tear and lack of lubrication, among others, it’s very vital to sort them out timely because failure to do so would lead to circuit overload.
Leaking HVAC Ductwork
The leaky HVAC ducts cause inefficient heating or cooling of the system, making it run for extended periods. Operating for a long time will increase electrical demand and can even trip the circuit breaker. Furnace installation companies inspect and seal any leaks in the ductwork to improve system efficiency and prevent overloading.
Electric Panel Issues
Factors that cause circuit breaker trips within the electric panel include loose connections, faulty breakers, and damaged wiring. It is also essential to regularly inspect the electric panel for evidence of wear or defect, which may enable one to identify and correct such problems before they interrupt.
Overloaded and Shared Circuit
Overloading a circuit occurs when the electrical demand exceeds the circuit’s capacity. Suppose a given circuit is shared by two or more high-energy consuming appliances or systems, such as a furnace and refrigerator. In that case, it results in overload and fast circuit breaker tripping. Address issues such as reducing the load or upgrading the circuit, respectively.
H5- What Should Be Done When Your Furnace Trips a Circuit Breaker?
These measures help you address the typical reasons for circuit breaker trips related to your furnace. Regular maintenance and timely professional service by contractors like Indoor Comfort Solutions will ensure your heating system’s operational efficiency and safety during cold weather, preventing downtime.
Check the Furnace Air Filter
First, check the furnace air filter. The airflow is more complicated when the filter is blocked or dirty, which overheats the furnace and trips the circuit breaker. Change the filter and stick to a maintenance schedule if it is dirty.
Ensure Unblocked HVAC Air Vents
Open all HVAC air vents and registers to clear them. Clogged vents cut airflow, forcing the furnace to work harder causing it to trip a circuit breaker. Remove anything blocking the flow of air.
Call a Furnace Installation Contractor for Ductwork Inspection
Leaking HVAC ducts can cause system inefficiency and overloads, tripping the circuit breaker. Employ an HVAC contractor who will inspect and seal any ductwork leaks. This avoids overloading of the furnace, and maximum performance is achieved thereby. A professional technician can identify and fix flaws that may have caused the circuit breaker trips.
The tripped furnace circuit breaker is a symptom of different problems, which may entail overload, short circuits, problematic components, faulty air filters, and inadequate ventilation. Through the knowledge of furnace installation experts, homeowners can work around them by finding long-lasting solutions to prevent recurrent circuit breaker tripping, ensuring constant output on their furnaces.
Read More: Winter Preparedness: Why Heating Repair in Buford, GA, is Essential for Homeowners
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the schedule for replacing my furnace air filter?
The ideal interval for replacing the air filter should be every 1 or 3 months for optimum performance and efficiency in energy consumption. Nevertheless, whether the filter is pleated, household size and indoor air quality can affect how often the filter should be replaced. Frequent substitute provides sufficient air and increase the service life of the furnace.
Can I address the problems with my furnace’s wiring on my own?
Though some homeowners can fix their furnaces’ simple wiring problems, leaving any such work to qualified professionals is usually best. Poor handling of electrical components can lead to danger. However, if you need further explanation, call a licensed furnace installation technician and wait for proper diagnosis and repair.
What are the benefits of buying a timer thermostat?
Buying a programmable thermostat has many advantages, including extra power efficiency, considerably reduced application bills, and expanded comfort. Programmable thermostats are designed to alter temperatures based totally on your day-by-day activities, helping to create a more responsive and strength-efficient heating and cooling system.