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

Tripped circuit breakers are aggravating and stressful, particularly if it seems like the furnace is the source. If your breaker gets thrown once and average operation resumes after you reset it, there is no immediate cause for concern. In this situation, an unforeseen power surge is probably the reason. 

However, you can’t neglect the situation if the breaker gets thrown multiple times. This may happen with both electric and gas furnaces. After all, even gas-fired furnaces depend on electricity to operate the blower motor and other components. Before you schedule furnace repair, think about the most likely reasons your furnace may be throwing the circuit breaker and how you can handle it. 

1. Overloaded Furnace 

Does your furnace start for just a few minutes before throwing the breaker? This might stem from restricted airflow. A dirty filter or closed air vents require your furnace to work harder. The resulting electrical draw might overwork the system, strain the circuit and throw the breaker. Consider the following tips to restore normal airflow and resolve the trouble: 

• 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 block airflow into it. 

2. Full Circuit 

HVAC equipment should be on its own 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 a brief precaution, you can unplug the secondary item or avoid operating it while the furnace is running. A safer, 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 as soon as it starts? This may be evidence of an electrical problem within the furnace. An exposed wire might be shorting out the circuit when it reaches a neutral wire or causes a ground fault if it comes into contact with a grounded wire or metal object. Either of these things can surge the electrical draw enough to trigger the circuit. You’ll do best with an HVAC specialist like Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts to find and repair the issue. 

4. Electrical Panel Trouble 

If you eliminate any malfunctions with your furnace, the electrical panel could be the culprit. Loose connections or damaged breakers may lead to inconsistent performance. If you have an older house, you might need to have the panel replaced if it’s obsolete, damaged or inadequately installed. In this case, you need help from an electrician. 

Your furnace may continue to trip the circuit breaker in spite of your efforts to repair the issue yourself. If this happens, leave the furnace off and contact Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts for help. Our HVAC Experts can help you diagnose the issue and advise the required repair. We’re proud of our repair, so we support it with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about us, or to arrange furnace repair, call us at 226-773-3357 right away. 

*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.