What Is Your Circuit Breaker Trying to Tell You About Your Furnace?

Is your circuit breaker frequently having problems, leaving you wondering what caused it? When something like this unexpectedly happens, it can take you by surprise. And if you need your electric furnace to keep your home warm on a cold day, a malfunctioning circuit breaker can quickly become a big problem.

Feeling frustrated or even worried when problems arise in your home is natural. But the good news is that there is usually a straightforward solution to this issue.

Let’s explore some potential reasons why your circuit breaker is getting tripped and, more importantly, what you can do to fix it.

Overloaded Circuits

Overloaded circuits are among the most common reasons a circuit breaker will trip. When power demands exceed more power than the circuit can output, it trips the breaker to the off position.

As circuits relate to your furnace or HVAC system, factors like age, how closely you’ve followed the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, and normal wear and tear can make the furnace run less efficiently, requiring more energy to power up and operate, which can “trip” the breaker to the off-position as a safety precaution.

Depending on your home wiring, additional appliances or devices might be drawing power from the same circuit, causing it to overload faster.

What can you do? If your circuit breaker trips frequently, having a professional technician inspect your heating and electrical system is worth it. A professional can run diagnostic tests to determine whether the furnace or other appliances are pulling too much power. If so, an upgraded electrical panel better meets your household’s demands.

Dirty Air Filters

While something as simple as a dirty air filter might not seem like a big deal, it is! When HVAC air filters get obstructed with dust, pet hair, dander, and other airborne particulates, they can cause more issues than poor air quality. Clogged filters make your furnace work harder to force treated air through the filter before circulating via your ductwork. In rare cases, it can lead to overheating, often enough to trip the breaker as a safety measure.

How to fix it: This is a relatively simple fix. A fresh new filter every three months keeps your electric furnace from straining too much. This essential maintenance task is vital to keeping your furnace running efficiently.

Short Circuit or Electrical

Problem Common culprits are electrical issues such as short circuits, loose connections, or frayed wiring. These problems can develop over time, especially if your furnace has been in use for several years. A short circuit is particularly dangerous because it can lead to a fire hazard, so getting it checked out is essential.

The solution: In this case, you should contact a professional to check your electrical wiring and connections. A professional opinion is the best approach to safeguarding your home and loved ones.

Faulty Furnace

Components Several components inside your furnace can malfunction and cause the circuit breaker to trip. The likely suspects are the blower motor, heating element, or capacitor. If one of these components is faulty or worn out, it can cause the furnace to draw too much current, leading to a tripped breaker.

What to do: A professional technician can perform diagnostic tests to identify whether a specific component is causing the issue. Sometimes, a single-part replacement can restore the furnace to proper working order.

Outdated or Undersized Furnace

If you have an older furnace or one too small for your home, it has to work harder to keep up with your heating needs. An undersized or outdated furnace is more likely to overheat and trip the breaker than a newer or correctly sized heating unit.

The fix: An upgrade is likely in order. While this may seem like a big step, replacing an outdated electric furnace with a more energy-efficient model offers long-term savings in energy costs and requires fewer repairs.

How to Prevent Future Issues

Once the immediate problem gets resolved, regular maintenance is the best way to keep your electric furnace running smoothly. Scheduling annual HVAC check-ups can catch small-scale issues before they snowball into bigger ones, extending the life of your system and preventing those stressful moments when the breaker trips on a cold night.