Every home has an electrical panel with either fuses or breakers. Many of the older homes in and around Austin have fuses that blow when they are overloaded. This acts as a safety feature to prevent fires and other damage from occurring. While a blown fuse is a simple fix, you might grow tired of seeing the same problem happen every week. Learn some of the top reasons why your HVAC system keeps blowing a fuse.
Too Much Voltage
One reason an HVAC system blows fuses is that too much voltage runs through the system. Each fuse can only handle a certain amount of power or energy. When a higher amount moves through it, the fuse blows to keep the system and your home safe. It often happens in homes where a previous owner attempted some DIY repairs. If a nonlicensed electrician worked on the system, they can make mistakes with the type of fuses required. Since the fuse is too small, it can’t keep up with your HVAC system.
Dirt and Dust Buildup
Your filters do a good job of catching dirt, dust, and other debris before it works their way through your vents or ducts. The problem is that even the best filter will not last forever. You usually need to change the filters every three months or up to every six months. In homes with dogs and cats, you might need to change them even more often. When dust and dirt build-up on the filter, the AC needs to work harder to release cool air, which can blow a fuse.
Loose Wires/Cables
Electrical systems have many different cables and wires. These components help all of the parts work together and send energy through the system. If you have fuses that keep blowing when you run your AC, it might be due to loose wires or cables. It’s often hard to find those wires as they might be inside your walls, which is why this is a job best suited for a professional electrician.
Lack of Refrigerant
HVAC systems rely on refrigerant to keep homes cool. The refrigerant pulls both humidity and heat from your home and runs it over the coils to cool it down. One reason you might experience blown fuses is that the system has a lack of refrigerant or a low refrigerant level. When the system doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it needs to work much harder to keep your home at the temperature you want, which can cause a fuse to blow.
Damaged Parts
Damaged parts are another reason for blown fuses. Your system has a capacitor that is responsible for helping the system spring to life when you use it. It draws energy from the electrical system and conserves it for future use. The capacitor slowly releases that energy to keep the AC running as the temperature rises, but it can keep your furnace running on cold days. When the capacitor is faulty or damaged, it can send too much energy through the system and cause voltage changes that blow a fuse. Blown fuses can also happen when your system has any other damaged parts.
Bad Fuse Box
Fuse boxes are not as durable as circuit breakers. That’s why many homeowners upgrade to a breaker system. Fuse boxes usually last for up to 40 years but can show signs of failure much earlier. It doesn’t matter how often you change the fuses or the changes you make to your AC. If you have a bad fuse box, it will keep blowing fuses as the AC runs. Some of the common signs you have a bad fuse box include:
- One or more fuses feel loose
- You pick up a burning smell around the box
- Some of the fuses are dark or look burnt
- Other appliances blow the fuses
Keep HVAC Fuses from Blowing
At Totally Cool Heating & Air, we know the hassles that blown fuses bring. You need to head to the basement or utility room, find the blown fuse, remove it, and replace it. If you have a problem with damaged parts, low refrigerant, or another common issue, you could find yourself repeating the process every day. We offer the AC and furnace services you need to keep your HVAC running every day of the year. Reach out to Totally Cool Heating & Air to get relief from blown HVAC fuses.
