Examples Of Electrical Problems That Might Plague Your Furnace
Even if you use a gas furnace, you still need electricity for some operations of the furnace. That means electrical problems can also interfere with your heating. Below are some of the electrical problems to watch out for.
Loose Electrical Wires
There are two main reasons why electrical connections or wires should never be loose. First, looseness allows the wires to move out of their positions. This can create a short circuit when wires that should not touch come into contact and cause damage. Secondly, loose connections increase electrical resistance, which can cause overheating, sparks, and electrical fires. Vibrations, normal wear and tear, negligence repair are some of the potential causes of loose wires.
Water Exposure
The electrical parts of the furnace, such as the wires, motor, mainboard, and thermostat (among others) should never come into contact with water. Since water conducts electricity, contact with the electrical parts of the furnace can trigger a short circuit and related problems. A flooding incident, say from damaged plumbing fixtures, can cause such problems.
Wrong Breaker or Fuse
If your furnace blows a fuse or something damages the breaker, ensure the replacement fuse or breaker is the right one for the furnace. Using higher-capacity fuses or breakers means your furnace is not protected from overcurrent and can experience electrical damage if it draws too much current. Using a low-capacity fuses or breakers means the furnace will keep blowing the fuses or tripping the breakers.
Faulty Transformer
Some furnaces require low voltage to operate. If the voltage your furnace requires to operate is lower than the voltage supplied to your house, you need a transfer to lower the voltage to match the furnace's demands. This means the furnace won't run and might even get damaged if the transformer malfunctions and fails to supply the necessary low voltage.
Faulty Start Capacitor
The furnace needs a start capacitor, an electrical device for storing electrical energy, to start its motor. The capacitor is necessary because the motor requires a lot of energy during startup. The capacitor, just like other electrical devices, can fail (say due to overheating or electrical supply issues). A failing or failed capacitor might fail to provide the necessary energy for starting the furnace. A hard-starting furnaces problem has a failing capacitor.
Filters and air circulation problems cost many furnace problems. However, electrical problems can also lead to failed or inefficient heating. Whether the problem is electrical or not, contact a furnace repair technician for a diagnosis and solution if your furnace is malfunctioning.