Like any home appliance, your home’s furnace is not immune to wear and tear. Furnace issues come in all different shapes and sizes. However, if you've experienced a sudden breakdown or noticed reduced efficiency in your heating system, the culprit may very well be the furnace blower motor.
So, what exactly is a furnace blower motor? Can a furnace blower be repaired? If these are some of the questions on your mind, join the team from Home Aire Care as we get to the bottom of this furnace issue.
What Is a Blower Motor?
A blower motor is an essential part of furnaces and other HVAC systems. The primary purpose of a furnace blower motor is to move air across the system to keep a home interior at a constant enjoyable temperature. Here's a quick rundown of how furnace blower motors work:
Air Circulation
The blower motor starts working as soon as the furnace is turned on. It pulls air from the ducts, transfers it to the heating element or heat exchanger in the furnace, and uses the ductwork to distribute the heated or cooled air throughout the interior of the home depending on if you're using your central heating or cooling system.
Speed Control
A furnace blower motor often features several speed settings that enable customization depending on a household's heating requirements and the desired temperature you select on your thermostat. If your furnace has a variable speed motor, you can expect a blower fan that offers more control on your indoor comfort levels.
Ultimately, the furnace blower motor is essential to the heating system's overall efficiency and ensuring it's operating correctly can help you maintain affordable energy bills.
Ensuring adequate air circulation prevents cold patches and maximizes the performance of the furnace by distributing the conditioner air in a uniform manner throughout each room of your home.
Is It Worth It to Replace a Furnace Blower Motor?
A number of variables, such as the age of your furnace, the cost of the replacement motor, and the general state of your furnace, will determine if it is worthwhile to replace the blower motor in your furnace. To help you make an informed decision, consider the following:
Age of the furnace
Replacing the blower motor on a reasonably new (and still under warranty) furnace may be less expensive than buying a brand-new one.
Replacement cost
Obtain a quote that includes installation charges for the replacement blower motor. The price of a new motor should be compared to the price of purchasing a new furnace system. If the new motor price is relatively affordable, and nowhere near the price of buying and installing a new HVAC unit with a qualified HVAC technician, you may want to have the failing blower motor replaced before investing in an entirely new HVAC system.
Energy efficiency levels
Newer furnaces often have higher energy efficiency levels, which, over time, can lead to cheaper energy bills. Replacing your old furnace could be a wise long-term energy savings investment if it's nearing the end of its service life and experiencing further issues in addition to a faulty blower motor.
In the end, it may be worthwhile to replace a furnace blower motor in certain situations, particularly if the furnace is not too old and the replacement will not be overly costly.
Nevertheless, spending money on a new, more efficient furnace might offer better long-term value than older systems or ones with numerous problems. Therefore, it's essential that you speak with a qualified HVAC company that can help you weigh your options moving forward.
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Furnace Blower Motor?
A furnace blower motor's life expectancy can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the motor's quality, how often it is used, and how well the furnace is taken care of. That said, on average, a furnace blower motor lifespan is between 10 and 20 years.
So how can you ensure your blower motor remains in good condition for as long as possible? Take a closer look at how you can prevent a premature furnace blower motor replacement:
Routine Maintenance on Your Heating and Cooling System
The best way to preserve the integrity of your furnace blower motor is to have your heating system professionally serviced by a certified HVAC technician at least once a year.
Prompt Repairs With a Professional Hvac Contractor if You Experience a Blower Motor Failure
Additionally, should you notice anything wrong with your furnace that could be attributable to your blower motor, calling a repair technician promptly can help you reduce the damage to your heating system.
It can also reduce the direct damage to your blower motor. Essentially by limiting the direct damage to your blower motor component, you'll have a better chance of having to replace the blower motor component, which of course will save you money on your blower motor repair.
Where Is the Furnace Blower Motor Located?
In most models, the furnace blower motor is located in a compartment or chamber that is easily accessible for maintenance and repairs. This compartment is usually located beneath the heat exchanger or combustion chamber, where the heated air is generated. Accessing the blower motor often requires removing one or more panels or covers on the front of the furnace.
Note that homeowners should not attempt to locate the blower motor in their furnace equipment unless they are attempting to conduct troubleshooting and feel comfortable doing so. Furnace blower motors are responsible for moving the conditioned air throughout your home and any mishandling of its components could cause damage.
As such, if you believe there is something wrong with your blower motor, reach out to a professional technician instead for help instead.
How Can I Identify Blower Motor Problems?
Determining the cause of blower motor issues in your furnace is crucial to keeping your heating system operating at peak performance. The following are some common warning signs that a blower motor problem could be present or that the blower motor needs to be replaced entirely:
You’re Noticing Decreased Airflow
If you observe that your vents are emitting less warm air than before, it could indicate that the blower motor needs to be repaired. Alternatively, it could suggest that there are leaky air ducts throughout your home, a blocked or dirty air filter, or other problem that can directly impact your indoor air quality and comfort levels.
Unusual Noises Furnaces Produce
Unusual sounds emanating from the furnace system such as a grinding or screeching sound that carries into your home to cause disruption in your day to day routine.
Uneven Heating
If you notice that certain rooms in your house are warmer than others or that the heating is uneven, it may indicate that your blower motor isn't working to its maximum potential.
Furnace Won’t Start
The furnace may not start at all due to a broken blower motor.
Continuous Operation/Short Cycling
An example of this would be a blower motor that never stops working or a furnace that regularly cycles on and off.
Burning Smell Coming From Your Furnace
If the furnace emits a burning smell while it's operating, the blower motor may be overheated.
Visual Examination
Glance into the furnace cabinet to see the blower motor. Keep an eye out for any obvious indications of damage, including frayed cables, connections that are loose, or an abundance of dust and debris.
To identify and resolve the problems as soon as possible, it is advised that you speak with a licensed HVAC technician if you notice any of these symptoms. Without the required knowledge, attempting to replace or repair a blower motor could result in additional harm or safety risks. In other words, leave it to the professionals.
Do any of these signs look familiar? If so, you may be dealing with a faulty or broken furnace blower motor. Luckily, the professional HVAC team from Home Aire Care is here to help.
Can Blower Motors Be Repaired?
Yes, in some situations, you will be able to have your blower motor repaired. However, it's important to note that homeowners should not attempt their own blower motor repairs. Given that furnace blower motors are a highly complex furnace component, any mishandling of the repair process can lead to further damage to your HVAC system. Additionally, if you attempt your own blower motor repair and it doesn't fix the actual problem with the blower assembly, motor bearings, fan belt, blower capacitor, motor shaft, or the motor's spindle, your might end up having to go the route of a complete furnace blower motor replacement.
Therefore, to avoid a complete furnace blower motor replacement, we recommend booking a professional repair appointment to have your HVAC system inspected and repaired by an individual with the proper knowledge and skills needed to conduct the repair safely and correctly. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your HVAC system will be working optimally for you once they have completed the repair task.
Book a Repair Appointment for Your Furnace Blower Motors With Home Aire Care Today!
Are you experiencing blower malfunctions in your home and need your furnace checked by a professional HVAC contractor? If so, Home Aire Care is a leading HVAC contractor able to provide a prompt, thorough inspection and comprehensive repair solutions for your furnace blower motor.
Our experienced HVAC technicians are available for all repair and maintenance services 24/7/365 days a year, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays, at no extra cost. We also offer same-day repairs in emergency scenarios.
Home Aire Care proudly operates throughout Kingston, Belleville, Brockville, Colborne, Grafton, Picton, Quinte West, Trenton, Brighton, Cobourg, Gananoque, Napanee, and Port Hope. If you live in one of these communities, don’t hesitate to reach out and book your furnace repair with our professional team today.
You can book your appointment with us over the phone or by using our online booking form. We look forward to partnering with you!
