Should My Heat Pump Trip the Breaker in Tellico Village, TN?

While a heat pump draws a lot of power, electricians design the circuit to handle the load under normal conditions. If you discover that your heat pump continually trips its breaker, it’s signaling a problem. This guide explores some of the common problems that may trip your heat pump breaker in Tellico Village, TN.

Airflow Restrictions

Whenever your heat pump can’t circulate enough air, it’ll require the circulating fan to work harder by using more power. This additional draw may trip the circuit breaker to protect the wiring and internal components. A neglected air filter is the most common reason for airflow restriction and the easiest to rectify.

Malfunctioning Compressor

The compressor regulates the flow of the system’s refrigerant, creating the high pressure that vents heat. The compressor is already one of the largest power draws in the heat pump. When it experiences a problem, it can draw more, easily tripping the breaker.

Seized Motor Bearings

Your system has two fan motors, both of which rely on lubricated ball bearings to allow the fan to spin. These bearings can easily seize up if they aren’t properly lubricated. When this happens, it causes the fan motor to draw more power as it tries to get it to spin properly.

Leaking Refrigerant

The heat pump’s refrigerant system should remain sealed to keep the proper charge. When there’s a leak, the compressor strains to compress the refrigerant sufficiently, drawing too much power. A service technician will check your system’s charge during routine heat pump maintenance.

Loose Electrical Connections

Loose electrical connections increase the electrical resistance at the connection, resulting in an additional draw through the circuit. Loose connections naturally occur because of the vibration from the circulating fan and compressor. To prevent this, a service technician will check and tighten loose connections during routine maintenance.

These common issues may trip your heat pump circuit breaker, keeping it from heating your home well in winter. Call the NATE-certified team at Pol’s Heating and Cooling, LLC to schedule heat pump repair services.

Image provided by iStock