Your heating system, whether it is a furnace or an energy-efficient alternative heat pump, is an undeniably valuable asset during the cold and frosty winter months. If your furnace or heat pump keeps blowing its fuse, it is important that you respond quickly to figure out what the main problem is and get it taken care of as soon as possible – or else you may find yourself as well the other residents feeling uncomfortably chilly and numb inside your home. Keeping your family safe and your home protected are major priorities, so keep reading to learn about the possible causes of the issue and what to do about it.
1. Excessive Dirt and Dust
If you are not diligent about maintaining the pristine condition of your heater, nearly all of its parts will silently and continuously gather dirt, dust and other debris. Grime can also build up in a neglected air filter and migrate to the blower motor over time. The blower motor is the component that sends heated air from the furnace or heat pump into the living space. If riddled with unwanted dirt, the motor can start to overheat and eventually burn out, which can cause the high-limit switch to malfunction. It is only a matter of time before the unit blows a fuse and turns off.
In an average residential house, the air filter should be replaced on a regular basis, preferably between 30 to 90 days. Do this more often if you have long-haired pets, such as dogs and cats, running around because they also shed pet dander, an overlooked contributing factor to indoor air pollution.
2. Overvoltage
Overvoltage is another popular culprit of blown fuses. It occurs when the voltage is in excess of the normal operating limit of a device or circuit. This condition often transpires in three different methods: chronically with persistent high voltages sporadically with high resistive heating requirements or intermittently with temporary surges. While it is normally easy to diagnose whether the blown fuse was caused by chronic overvoltage, both sporadic and intermittent cases of overvoltage can usually go undetected because they materialize during a short period of time.
Fortunately, there are many simple ways to ward off instances of overvoltage in a home. First off, you need to meticulously take note of the voltage requirements of your furnace or heat pump. You should also exercise caution when dealing with insulators. Finally, consult with a local heater technician regularly. They will perform all the necessary inspections, tune-ups and repairs to help avoid disastrous problems, such as a blown fuse. Do not wait for things to go south before you take action.
3. Electrical Shorts
When troubleshooting a furnace or a heat pump, one of the crucial things to look for is whether or not the equipment is actually receiving power. Most of the time, you will need to reset a fuse once it has blown. However, if the fuse continues to fail and trip the circuit breaker, it is often an indication that there is an electrical short in the wiring system supplying power to the heater.
This comes about as a complicated do-it-yourself fix for a typical homeowner and may require professional assistance from an electrical contractor.
4. Loose Wires
A furnace or heat pump naturally emits vibrations that can loosen internal wires over time. If electrical wiring becomes loose, it can cause a short and encourage the fuse to blow. Locating, fixing or replacing is a difficult task to accomplish on your own. It is a critical move to contact technical support from a local HVAC company to make sure every component is back to normal and working properly. You do not want to wait for a long time, especially when it is cold or frosty outside. Also, thorough furnace or heat pump inspections should be conducted in the spring and fall seasons to ensure all electrical wirings and connections are tight and secure. In fact, performing regular tune-ups and maintenance can prevent mild to serious issues with your heating equipment, giving you peace of mind as well as the confidence to take on the winter season.
5. Low Airflow
Air circulation is one of the most important factors in any residential or commercial building. Reduced airflow can cause your heating unit to struggle and potentially result in blown fuses. For example, an undersized ductwork or blower motor can be the reason why the blower is not able to carry and circulate sufficient air throughout the home. Poor control applications can also generate the same dilemma. It is a real possibility that one of these scenarios will lead to an overvoltage incident that will ultimately blow the fuse in your house. Low airflow can also be the result of dirty filters so make sure you change the filter on a regular basis.
6. Failing Valves
If you have a gas-fueled furnace that keeps blowing its fuse, consider checking the safety valve on your unit. It is fairly simple to operate, and you should not encounter any difficulties when opening or closing it. If the valve appears to be clogged, it may be holding too much heat inside the furnace or pushing too much heat out. This may cause the furnace to not only overheat, but can also cause a fire.
7. Water Leaks
It is not completely unusual for there to be an occasional leak in your furnace or heat pump. The water droplets or moisture may be drizzling from an attached or nearby humidifier. However, this is not an excuse to neglect the issue. If not taken care of right away, water leaks may impose extensive damage to your unit. Calling in heating professionals to handle any leaks will help you prevent further and more costly damage to the heating equipment.
8. Cold Weather
Many models of heat pumps feature supplemental heating elements that can provide extra heat when outside temperatures start to drop too low and the efficiency level of the heat pump decreases. These unique features typically turn on when low temperatures are detected and may be drawing too much power. If the weather is extremely cold, the system can guzzle enough power to trip the circuit breaker. Fortunately, this can be fixed by simply resetting the breaker for the pump.
9. Worn or Faulty Parts
Parts that are defective or worn out can be identified by strange noises coming from the furnace or heat pump. For example, a capacitor that fails to start up the system can cause intermittent electrical issues. In a similar fashion, a failing transformer can cause the system to short because it is needed by the furnace to convert the correct voltage to operate the ignition, timers and controls.
Keep your furnace or heat pump in tip-top shape with professional services. EZ Air Conditioning and Heating is a premier source of heating and air conditioning solutions in and around San Antonio, TX. Our top-rated technicians are committed to providing the comfort and efficiency every residential or commercial client needs through industry-leading products and outstanding customer service. Call us today at (210) 558-7883, or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment. We look forward to working with you!
The lifespan of a heat pump depends on various factors, including product quality, installation and…
Your HVAC system is vital to keeping your living space comfortable. It can also help…
A functioning commercial air conditioning system isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity. However, like…
Having an air conditioning unit at home or in your place of business is not…
Ensuring your air conditioner is running efficiently is not just a matter of comfort but…
For many homeowners, heat pumps have become their go-to solution for heating and cooling. However,…