Wind chill, freezing temperatures, ice accumulation and heavy snow — the winter season brings a variety of adverse weather extremes that increase your need for indoor heating. During cold winter weather, the last thing you want is to encounter technical problems with your heating system–be it a furnace or a heat pump–particularly a blown fuse. The fuse is designed to protect the system from a potential short or overload, so when it blows, a host of complications can arise.
In this article, a heater and AC repair specialist discusses the common reasons your furnace or heat pump keeps blowing its fuse and how to prevent or resolve them.
Overheating or a high limit switch that trips often are warning signs that your heating system hasn’t been serviced in a long time. To prevent these situations from occurring, be diligent in maintaining your furnace or heat pump, including all of its electrical components, and schedule a cleaning and tune-up service at least once a year. Also, don’t forget to replace your air filter every three months. Thicker filters have more room to collect dirt and dust, so they don’t have to be replaced as often, say furnace and AC repair experts.
A faulty run capacitor. When a capacitor fails, the motor can exhibit a variety of electrical issues, such as failing to kick-start the system, overheating and vibrating. When a faulty capacitor causes the heating system to become too hot internally, it can trip a safety switch, shutting down the unit temporarily. In most cases, a faulty capacitor will need to be replaced. Leave it in the hands of heating and AC replacement experts to find the correct replacement unit and handle removing the old one safely.
A faulty transformer. The transformer is responsible for increasing or decreasing the voltage to run the ignition, timers and controls. When the efficiency of this component is reduced, voltage surges may occur, causing the circuit breaker to trip more frequently. Voltage surges can fry various parts of your furnace system, so be sure to call in a professional technician to resolve the problem.
A faulty valve. If you have a gas-fueled furnace with a fuse that keeps blowing, inspect the safety valve on the equipment. It should be able to open and close when needed. If the valve is clogged, it may be forcing too much out or keeping too much heat inside the unit. In many cases, this can cause the furnace to overheat, potentially igniting a fire. While it’s perfectly okay to fit a new valve on your own, it can be extremely dangerous if you don’t get it right. You need someone who’s knowledgeable and has access to the right set of tools to carry out the task without a hitch.
If you need a reliable furnace and AC maintenance technician to assess your HVAC equipment, look no further than Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating. From tune-ups and safety checks to installations, replacements and maintenance services, our skilled, experienced team has got you covered. Our goal is to build long-lasting relationships with our customers by providing superior workmanship and personable customer service. Schedule an appointment with us today by calling (623) 253-1018, or complete our convenient online form and we’ll get back to you shortly.