Why An Electric Furnace May Cause Flickering Lights

Why do lights in the house flicker when the electric furnace comes on? Troubleshooting Heating Furnace and Electrical Problems.

Electric Furnace and Power Problems
Electrical Repair Question: Why do lights in the house flicker when the electric furnace comes on?

• My lights in the house flicker when the electric furnace comes on.
• Today when I came home I heard a very loud humming sound, almost like the air conditioner unit was on but it was coming from the outside power meter.
• I looked at the meter and it was spinning super fast.
• I contacted the power company and of course they showed up 5 hrs later.
• The noise was gone and they are blaming it on breakers inside the house.
• I do not have any breakers tripping at all.
• I do have an outside light post and it has been going through bulbs a lot.
• I just found out it is hardwired to the meter outside.

Can you help?

This home electrical repair question came from: Rick, a Homeowner from Elizabeth, Pennsylvania.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electric repair question Rick.

Electric Furnace Circuit Problems

Application: HVAC and Furnace Problem.
Skill Level: Advanced – a Licensed Electrical Contractor should be consulted right away.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Ammeter and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on age of the home, the condition of the electrical system and available access to electrical components.
Precaution: Electrical troubleshooting of this level is best performed by a qualified electrical contractor.

Troubleshooting an Electric Furnace

• An electric furnace requires a lot of power which can effect other electrical circuits as well.
• Here is a list of factors that could contribute to flickering lights when an electric furnace is operating:
  • The main electric service panel is not 200 sized at  amps.
  • The size of the home and number of circuit breakers.
• There may be a problem with the circuit breaker that serves the electric furnace circuit, or there may be other issues within the electrical panel and the house wiring system.
• My recommendation is to have a qualified electrical contractor inspect the electrical panel and the furnace circuit.
• Typically, the electrical utility provider’s responsibility ends at the electric meter and they will not service the electrical panel or circuit breakers.

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Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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Home Electrical Wiring and Electrical Repairs Please Note: Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects: Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor. Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter. Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution: Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Important: Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.

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