Does your home’s furnace fuse keep blowing? You’ll want to act quickly so you can catch the problem before it becomes more significant. While replacing the fuse can work as a temporary fix, your fuse will continue to blow if you don’t get at the root of the issue.
We know that keeping your family safe and warm through the winter is a top priority, so we’ve created a list of reasons why your furnace keeps blowing so you can attend to whatever is causing your problem. Older furnaces are beyond repair in some instances, especially if you’ve let problems linger.
Are you experiencing a furnace emergency? Reach out to the certified Bixby HVAC contractors at Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today, and we’ll attend to your situation promptly.
1. Dirt and Dust
Dirt and dust can cause fuses to blow, especially when it’s been a while since you’ve last had your furnace cleaned. This dust can make its way from your filter to the blower motor, where it can cause the motor to overheat—eventually burning out and leading to a blown fuse.
It would help if you made cleaning out the furnace a part of your regular home maintenance to avoid this issue in the future.
2. Water Leaks
It’s not atypical for water to leak, especially in older systems. However, failing to attend to the leak can lead to severe damage. If you notice any leaks, give us a call immediately to resolve the issue directly.
Often, homeowners wait to see whether the leak worsens before taking any action. Unfortunately, water leaks rarely go away on their own. Waiting too long to address the issue will give you more significant and expensive problems than a blown fuse.
Water damage is a fire hazard, as it can cause short-circuiting and other dangerous problems, so don’t hesitate to call us the moment you notice something awry.
3. Loose or Damaged Wiring
Wires can loosen and fall out of place over time due to the rumblings of an active furnace. A loose wire can short-circuit, leading to blown fuses.
Locating the source can be tricky and dangerous, so always call professionals like us when you suspect your furnace has wiring issues. Regular furnace inspections and maintenance will sift these problems out, allowing the technician to make wires tight and secure once more.
4. Air Filter Needs Replacement
Most homeowners don’t know this, but you need to replace your air filter once every three months (at least) to support your furnace’s efficiency and, of course, to prevent fuses from blowing. Depending on the size of your home and what you have in it, you might need to replace the filter more frequently. Failing to do so could result in dust, dirt, and debris building up inside your unit, blocking the blower motor, and shutting it down.
The more clogged your blower, the harder it needs to work to get itself to run. The fuse will do the same, and if it cannot, it could lead to furnace fires. To keep everyone in your home safe, check the filter regularly. Wondering, “Can you run a furnace without a filter?” It’s not recommended, as it can lead to these issues. Have one of our technicians come once a year to clean out the furnace entirely for optimal performance and safety.
5. Thermostat Shorts
Does your thermostat have a metal frame? These thermostats are prone to voltage issues that could cause your furnace fuse to keep blowing if the internal wiring touches the metal.
If your wires cannot handle the higher voltage, your control board may blow out, preventing the draft inducer from starting. In that case, the furnace will be inoperable until someone fixes it.
6. Faulty and Worn Parts
With increased use and age, parts of your furnace may stop working as intended, some even breaking down or degrading. Call a professional technician at Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing so they can determine which parts need replacement, fixing them for you on the spot. Our technicians always carry replacement parts and components in their vehicles so they can address the issue the same day they come to evaluate your furnace.
You might notice some faulty parts by the strange noises they’ll make inside your furnace. Some functions that may have problems include:
- Starting capacitor: This part starts up your furnace when you need heat. If it’s failing, you might notice intermittent electrical issues.
- Blower motor: Sometimes, the blower motor draws too much power and causes shorts.
- Transformer: The transformer converts the correct voltage to run the ignition, controls, and timers. When not working correctly, this can cause your entire system to short.
- Valves: For gas furnaces, if your valve cannot open and close freely, your furnace will either overheat or not produce enough heat.
7. Valve Failure
If you have a gas furnace, this may be the source of your problems. Check your furnace to ensure the safety valve can move freely as needed, opening and closing.
A blocked valve might expel too much heat or keep too much inside. This can lead to overheating and, in the worst-case scenario, a furnace fire. As we mentioned earlier, with filters, make sure to keep dust out of the valve to protect your safety.
8. Incorrect Fuse
If your furnace has the wrong fuses installed, a fuse can blow. Our specialists at Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can determine whether you have the wrong fuse type for your furnace model and get you set up with one that matches your unit.
Need Furnace Service? We Can Help!
Dealing with furnaces can prove dangerous, especially for homeowners without the proper training. Incorrectly addressing the issues might even create more expensive problems down the line. For that reason, we always recommend calling us to administer a complete repair and get your furnace back to working levels.
If your furnace fuse keeps blowing and you cannot identify the problem, get comprehensive heating repair by Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. Call 918-268-7343 today, and we’ll send a trained technician over to get to the root of your furnace problems right away.
