The Carrier furnace is among the most reliable air conditioning appliances. Therefore, it may surprise you when the fuse blows many times. Why is your furnace behaving this way, and how can you fix this problem? Luckily, we have the answers for you below!
To solve this problem, you first need to know what is causing the fuse to blow up. Some common triggers for this include:
- Clogged air filter
- Water leaks
- Short circuit
- Thermostat short
- Wrong fuse
- Malfunctioned valve
Continue reading to understand what is causing your furnace to keep blowing and how to solve this issue. Learn tips on how to keep your furnace in good working condition. Included are various cost estimates to fix fuse-related problems in your furnace.
What Causes A Carrier Furnace Fuse To Blow?
It can be annoying to fix the fuse in your furnace repeatedly. But, when this happens, could it signal that your appliance has a deeper problem?
It's essential to properly diagnose the exact cause so that you can fix it correctly. That way, you will have a more permanent solution than a temporary one.
The following are the leading causes of your fuse blowing and their relevant solutions:
Clogged Air Filter
The air filter's purpose is to prevent particles such as dust, dirt, or grime from flowing into the air ducts. However, some foreign materials will still pass through the filter and find their way into the ducts.
With time these particles will accumulate inside the air ducts and eventually clog the blower motor. This will cause the blower to overheat, blowing a fuse.
If you suspect this is the issue, you may clean or replace the air filters.
Check out this blower motor on Amazon.
However, ensure to follow the correct process as per the manual to prevent any potential injuries.
For example, switching off the appliance before inspecting it to avoid electrical shocks. All the same, it is always much better to call a technician.
It may also be necessary to have your motor blower cleaned. A professional can help you with this since it's quite a complex job.
Loose Wires
As the wires inside the furnace age, they can become loose and sag. This can cause two wires to touch each other and create a short circuit, causing the fuse to blow.
Looking for the loose connection and tightening the wires will solve the issue. But, if the wires are damaged, or worn, replace them.
Malfunctioned Valve
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A failing valve applies to you if you have a gas furnace. A clogged valve will not open and close freely as required. Instead, it will keep in or let out too much heat, which can cause a fire.
That's why as a safety measure, don't store combustible materials around the furnace. You can clean the gas valve to unclog it and remember to do so regularly.
Water Leakage
Water finding its way into the furnace can cause a short circuit to blow a fuse. Remember, water and electrical appliances are not friends.
Water, a conductor of electricity, can re-direct the current away from its usual path, causing a short circuit.
One of the ways water can enter your furnace is when moisture is trapped inside the appliance. As discussed earlier, a dirty air filter can prevent the proper flow of air within the duct system causing water to form.
Thus, moisture may later form ice crystals that gather on your air filter or build up in the evaporator coils. When this ice melts, it leaks into the furnace.
However, it's good to note several other causes of water leaking into your furnace. Thus, for an accurate diagnosis, call a professional.
Short Circuit In Thermostat
The thermostat has wires in it, which, if they touch the metal frame of the furnace, can cause the fuse to blow.
The metal frame and wires touching can create a much higher voltage than the wires handle, causing the fuse to blow. As a result, the furnace shuts down.
Incorrect Fuse
Installing a wrong fuse incompatible with your furnace can cause the fuse to blow. So, if you are unsure which one to use, your technician can help you replace it with the correct one.
Ways To Keep Your Furnace In Good Condition
It is expensive to run the heating system in your home. That is why you need to take good care of your furnace so that it may serve you longer and minimize repair costs.
You don't have to wait until a problem arises to address it. You can prevent it long before the problem gets worse.
The following are ways to keep your furnace working correctly:
Clean Or Replace Your Air Filter
As seen earlier, the air filter ensures quality air flows into your home. The filter blocks the entry of materials such as grime and dust, allowing cleaner air into the ducts.
Thus, with time the air filters get clogged.
For fresh air to continue flowing, you need to clean the air filters frequently or replace them if necessary.
Ensure No Blockage In The Vents
For your furnace to work optimally, ensure the vents are not blocked and free of particles. Clean the vent ducts often, and remove any furniture or household items that can block the vents.
A blocked vent will make the furnace work harder, causing it to wear and tear much faster.
Ensure Blower Is Working Properly
The blower is a critical component of your furnace. It drives the fan that moves air into and out of the furnace.
The element inside the furnace heats this moving air, which the blower motor pushes and distributes into your home. For it to work for longer and operate efficiently, clean it often.
Check out this video on how to clean a furnace motor blower:
Ensure Exhaust Flue Is Unobstructed
The exhaust flue or pipe lets out air and gases produced from the furnace from your home to the outside. The burning flame in the furnace produces carbon monoxide, a harmful gas to your health.
Therefore, if it is blocked, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning because there is no outlet for this gas. This is a dangerous gas, which is difficult to notice since it does not have a smell or taste.
It's recommended you clean the flue at least once a year.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Furnace Fuse?
Hiring a technician to clean your air duct vents costs between $25 and $45 for each supply vent and from $40 to $75 for each return vent.
If there is damage to the blower motor or heat exchanger, you will spend between $130 and $500 to repair it. To have the furnace inspected and cleaned can cost you from $100 to $300.
Repairing a leak in your furnace will cost around $75. If the repair job is more complex, expect to pay from $800 to $1500.
To replace a flue pipe, including labor and parts, will cost between $400 to $800, replacing a motor blower costs between $400 and $1500, and a heat exchanger costs $800 to $1500.
It generally costs between $110 and $304 to repair a thermostat. It's possible to fix minor issues in the thermostat on your own such as replacing a breaker costing between $25 and $50.
But, for more complex problems with your thermostat, it will cost you only from $50 to $100 for labor.
And, if your furnace blows out in the middle of the night, you may decide to call a technician. This is an emergency, and you will be charged from $75 to $250. It's usually a flat fee for entering your home at this odd hour.
To Wrap Up
It can worry you if the fuse keeps blowing every time you try to fix your furnace. This means there is a much more extensive problem with your appliance.
A professional technician can help you make an accurate diagnosis to solve the problem once and for all. Hence, there are several reasons explained in this post that reveals why your furnace is acting up.
Your furnace is an essential appliance in your home and needs utmost care to last longer and reduce the number of repairs. And the costs of fixing fuse-related problems in your furnace can be as low as $5 and as high as $ 2,000.
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