Furnace Repair 101: Common Causes Of Blown Fuses

For many homeowners, the signs of furnace trouble can be subtle and easily overlooked, only to be diagnosed during an annual service appointment. However, for some homeowners, the signs of trouble with their furnace can be far more obvious. For example, if you've been struggling with your furnace frequently blowing fuses, that's a key sign that your furnace is in need of repair. Here's a look at some of the most common causes of electrical shorts and blown fuses in your home's heating system.

Dust Buildup

You might think that the air filter on your furnace is more about ensuring that the air coming through your vents is clear, but it serves a more important role than just that. In fact, the air filter on your heating system's air intake also keeps dust and particles from reaching the fan, blower motor, and other internal components. Dust buildup on these components can cause them to overheat and potentially short out or cause a fire. 

If you're struggling with blown fuses and you haven't replaced your furnace air filter in quite some time, this could be the culprit. A furnace repair technician will need to clean the system, test the blower motor and other components, and replace the fuse and air filter to help you restore proper operation.

Loose Wires

As with any kind of motor, your furnace produces some vibrations when the system runs. Those vibrations can sometimes cause the wiring to come loose from the blower motor, the fan, or other components. As a result, you may find that your furnace doesn't run or the arcing power between the loose connection causes a fuse to blow repeatedly. 

Finding the culprit can be a challenge because you'll have to test every connection to see if the circuit is complete. It's best left to a furnace repair technician who can assess the entire system, find the loose wire, and secure it again. He or she will also look for any other signs of wiring damage or wear and address them at the same time.

Blower Motor Failure

The blower motor on your furnace is susceptible to wear and tear like any other motor. That's why your heating repair technician will inspect and maintain it during your annual service appointments. However, that doesn't prevent you from dealing with sudden failures and issues in the meantime.

Sometimes, as the blower motor is failing, power surges and excessive draw on the system can lead to a blown fuse because of circuit overload. If you're noticing issues with airflow in conjunction with the fuses that are blowing in your furnace, that's an indication that the blower motor may be to blame.

Talk with a heating repair technician right away about your fuse trouble with your furnace. He or she can help you narrow it down and get the problem resolved.

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