Posted: March 17, 2020 at 1:40 pm
By: Lakes Region HVAC
Does your furnace suddenly shut off before the house gets up to temperature?
Does it not turn back on?
The furnace may be tripping the circuit.
You may be tempted to reset the circuit breaker to turn the furnace back on until you fix the problem.
A circuit breaker “trips” to cut off the supply of electricity to prevent a fire. A circuit breaker is a safety mechanism. By resetting it without solving the problem puts you and your family in danger.
Here are some tips from our furnace experts on how to stay safe and troubleshoot your furnace:
If you hear a buzzing or rattling coming from the circuit breaker box, the problem with your furnace may actually be a problem with your circuit breaker. Over time, electrical connections can deteriorate and cause excess heat, which trips the circuit breaker.
Call an electrician.
Does the furnace run for a while and then trip the breaker? This can be a sign of the blower motor working too hard. The blower circulates air throughout your home, and stressing the motor can cause the circuit to trip.
A furnace blower becomes “stressed” when airflow becomes blocked, either coming in, going out, or both. Your HVAC system can have restricted airflow due to:
Change the air filter in your furnace. In the cold months when you use your furnace, most experts suggest checking the air filter every 1 to 3 months and changing it as needed.
Next, do a visual inspection of the vents and ductwork you can see to detect damage or blockages. Homes can lose an average of up to 40% of heated air through leaks in ductwork, according to research by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Read more about the benefits of furnace tune-ups here.
For a more comprehensive assessment of your HVAC system, contact a nearby HVAC contractor.
If the circuit breaker trips instantly when the furnace turns on, there may an electrical issue with the furnace, itself.
A wire may have become so deteriorated, it may be touching another wire or metal surface and causing a short circuit. To prevent fires, the circuit breaker will trip when this happens.
Contact a nearby HVAC contractor. When hiring the best nearby HVAC contractor, make sure to ask about these 3 things:
Look into who else does business and keeps professional relationships with the HVAC company.
A written estimate and meeting a company representative face to face gives you more insight into how the company does business.
The best HVAC contractors know treating customers right is priority #1.
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Have another question? Contact the Lakes Region team, and we’ll find your solution.
Our clients are homeowners, small business owners, and corporations—and one could be you by calling 603-286-2290 or emailing info@lrhvac.com.
Lakes Region’s expert service technicians and installers are trained in the latest advancements in heating and cooling technologies. We'll help you select the correct comfort system for your home, ensuring that your equipment operates at the highest efficiency — giving you the lowest monthly operating cost.
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