Why does my heater keep blowing the breaker?

Author: Justine Reinger  |  Last update: Thursday, February 27, 2025

The most common airflow issues are clogged filters, blocked supply registers, and blocked return air vents. Clogged ducts or leaky air ducts can also disrupt airflow and cause the furnace to work harder and run longer, with a tripped breaker as the result.

What do I do if my heater keeps tripping the breaker?

Call an electrician. They should verify the breaker size, and replace it if necessary. You might just need a new breaker (they wear out if repeatedly tripped).

How can I fix my breaker that keeps tripping?

How to fix an overloaded circuit?
  1. Move high load, or high amperage, devices to different circuits.
  2. Turn off electrical devices you're not using to lessen the load.
  3. Make sure there are no damaged outlets, cords, or plugs running on the circuit.
  4. Upgrade your circuit to one that has a greater load capacity.

Why do I have to keep resetting the breaker for my furnace?

Overheating of Furnaces also triggers the reset button to trip and shut off your furnace. This event may occur when your furnace is not receiving adequate air flow thus overheating it. Therefore, ensure to check the air filters and the vents to ensure there is proper airflow.

Why does my electric heater keep blowing fuses?

If a new electric heater flew the fuse or a breaker trips, this is the sign of an overloaded circuit. This article will show you how to identify the reason for a tripped breaker, how a GFCI works, and how to reset a breaker. Ensure that the load on a circuit does not exceed the wattage the circuit can power.

Why Does My Ac Heater Keep Tripping The Breaker

What can I do if a fuse keeps blowing?

3 Things to Do if an Appliance Keeps Blowing a Fuse
  1. Consider if the Fuse Is Over Used. Between the use of appliances, electronics, chargers, and personal care items that need electric power, it can be easy to put too much stress on a fuse. ...
  2. Check Appliance. ...
  3. Call an Electrician.

How do I know if my heater fuse is blown?

If your HVAC system suddenly stops functioning altogether and doesn't respond to user input, it could be due to a blown fuse supplying power to it. If your HVAC system's temperature, fan speed or modes are unresponsive to any adjustments, this could indicate that its fuse has blown.

Why does my heater keep tripping the reset button?

Overheating is the number one cause of reset button trips. If your furnace is cloistered somewhere where there isn't enough airflow, it may become overheated repeatedly, leading to frequent reset button trips. No Fuel.

Can you reset breaker too many times?

It is safe to reset a breaker only if it has been determined that the circuit was overloaded. Repeatedly resetting a breaker could result in an arc flash or a fire. If the cause is due to a short-circuit or a ground fault, a qualified electrician must be notified to investigate the problem.

Why is my heating tripping the electric?

The thermostat is the most likely culprit here, as an issue in the thermostat will possibly cause the boiler to overheat and trip to switch. The pressure relief valve is another candidate.

How many times can a circuit breaker trip before it goes bad?

Manufacturers often rate MCBs for a certain number of breaking operations, usually between 100 to 1,000 trips under fault conditions. Each trip weakens the internal components, especially the contact points, which deteriorate over time.

What to do if 20 amp breaker keeps tripping?

Check for overload

Figure out which area of the house the tripped breaker controls, then turn off and unplug everything in that area. Lights, microwaves, computers, everything. Then go turn on the breaker. If the breaker trips immediately, even with nothing plugged in, it's likely you have a short, not an overload.

Can a breaker go bad if it keeps tripping?

Can a Breaker Go Bad if it Keeps Tripping? Yes, a breaker can go bad if it keeps tripping. Breakers are designed to protect electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits by automatically shutting off the power when such issues arise.

Can a bad heating element trip a breaker?

A damaged heating element, thermostat, or water heater can trip a breaker. Sometimes, electrical circuits can be the source of the tripped breaker.

How do you troubleshoot a breaker that keeps tripping?

Here are some of the most common things you can check at home when you notice your circuit breaker tripping.
  1. Check for a Circuit Overload. As we have already seen, a circuit comprises a breaker, wiring, and the electric appliances that need to be powered. ...
  2. Check for a Short Circuit. ...
  3. Check for a Ground Fault.

Can I turn off the furnace breaker?

There are two places you can cut the power to your heating unit: at the breaker box and at its specific power switch. Head to your breaker box and locate the breaker labeled “furnace.” Push the breaker switch to the right to shut off power.

Is it a fire hazard if the breaker keeps tripping?

This becomes a legitimate fire hazard if they start overheating from too much current flow. Your breakers will keep tripping as a safeguard until that old wiring gets repaired or replaced.

How to tell when a breaker is bad?

How to Tell if a Circuit Breaker Is Bad
  1. It's Frequently Tripping.
  2. You Notice Visible Damage.
  3. It Won't Stay Reset.
  4. It's Hot to Touch.
  5. You Notice a Burning Smell.
  6. You Experienced a Recent Electrical Surge.
  7. Your Breaker Is Old and Worn Out.
  8. You Have an Overloaded Circuit.

Should I replace a breaker that keeps tripping?

Signs That It's Time to Replace Your Circuit Breaker

If your breaker seems to be tripping more often than normal, this is a red flag that it can no longer keep up with your home's electrical needs.

Why do I have to keep resetting my heater?

If a furnace isn't receiving enough airflow, it may overheat and trigger the reset button to trip. Make sure to clean or replace the air filters and keep the air vents open enough for proper airflow. Occasionally, the flame sensor rod may be coated with dirt and debris, causing the furnace to shut off.

Why does my house heater keep tripping the breaker?

Cause #1: Airflow issues

That can lead to a tripped breaker. The most common airflow issues are clogged filters, blocked supply registers, and blocked return air vents. Clogged ducts or leaky air ducts can also disrupt airflow and cause the furnace to work harder and run longer, with a tripped breaker as the result.

Why does my heater fuse keep blowing?

If a fuse keeps blowing, it's almost always thanks to faulty wiring and defective electrical components. Your faulty furnace circuit breaker may also impact your main breaker.

How do I find the breaker for my heater?

It is typically located in the basement, utility room, garage, or outside your home. The panel will have a door that you can open to access the breakers inside. Once you have located the main electrical panel, look for the breaker labeled as 'Furnace' or 'HVAC.

How do you diagnose a broken heater?

That's why our team has decided to compile a list of the signs you'll notice when your heater is broken.
  1. Odd Noises. ...
  2. Heater doesn't Warm Up. ...
  3. Increase in Energy Bills. ...
  4. Automatic Safety Switch Failure. ...
  5. Some Rooms Aren't Warming Up.

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