What Is a Blower Motor?
When troubleshooting HVAC problems, you might run across the term “blower motor” and wonder how that fits into your system. This crucial part of your HVAC acts as the lungs of your heating and cooling system. The blower motor powers the movement of heated and cooled air, ensuring your home stays comfortable throughout the year.
You don’t have to understand every detail of your HVAC system to keep it running smoothly. Still, understanding a bit about the blower motor simplifies operation and occasional troubleshooting.
What Does a Blower Motor Do?
The blower motor in a forced-air heating and cooling system powers the fan that circulates air around the inside of your home and forces it back into the HVAC for reheating or cooling. The varieties of HVAC systems that use blower motors include furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits.
When your thermostat senses the temperature falling out of the ideal comfort zone, the blower motor is alerted by your system. This turns on the fan, pushing hot or cold air out of the unit, through the ductwork—or right from the air handler in the case of a ductless system—and to your living space.
Where Is the Blower Motor Found?
The blower motor’s actual location varies according to the type of system:
- A furnace blower motor is commonly found in the base of the unit close to the air filter.
- An air conditioner typically shares the furnace’s blower motor to deliver cool air in the summer.
- A heat pump blower motor is located inside the air handler, the in-house portion of this single-unit heating and cooling appliance.
- A ductless mini-split blower motor is located within the wall-mounted unit, often behind the air handler casing.
Types of Blower Motors
Understanding the two main styles of blower motors can help you find the best option for your home comfort needs.
- A single-speed motor, as the name suggests, operates at one speed and shuts off when the desired temperature is achieved.
- A variable-speed motor operates at a range of speeds, adjusting the speed to changes in heating and cooling desires. This is generally the quieter, more energy-efficient choice for homeowners. It also provides more consistent indoor temperatures for improved comfort.
Signs of a Blower Motor Gone Bad
If your home isn’t feeling as comfortable as it usually does, your blower motor might be the culprit. Watch out for these indications of a bad blower motor:
- Weak or no airflow from vents: Insufficient airflow makes your home heat or cool more slowly, creating discomfort and inefficiency. A complete loss of airflow might be a sign of total motor failure, which calls for swift evaluation from an experienced HVAC professional like the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
- Weird noises: Abnormal sounds like grinding or squealing are often warning signs of worn-out bearings or a misaligned motor. These noises are not only annoying but can point to impending failure.
- Concerning smells: A burning smell may indicate an overheating motor, a serious issue requiring prompt intervention to prevent the problem from worsening.
- Increased energy expenses: A blower motor that runs harder than necessary because of an underlying issue consumes more electricity. This inefficiency can cause a noticeable surge in your utility bills.
- HVAC unit overheating: Overheating can take place when the motor struggles due to friction or a mechanical difficulty. This can bring on a total system breakdown if not addressed quickly.
What Causes Blower Motor Failure?
A blower motor can break down for many reasons, including:
- Moisture buildup: Water in the wrong areas can spell trouble for your blower motor. Moisture can corrode metal hardware and cause electrical shorts that can gravely impact the motor’s ability to run.
- Debris accumulation: Dust and dirt clogging components of the motor can cause it to overheat or fail altogether.
- Worn-out bearings: Bearings reduce friction in the motor. When they wear out, they overwork the motor, causing premature failure.
- Blower motor resistor or fan concerns: Problems with the resistor or fan can influence how the motor responds to demands for more or less air. These troubles can lead to system inefficiencies and require professional repair.
- Temperature control problems: If the motor can’t properly manage the temperature, it may instead run continuously, which can cause wear and tear and eventually failure.
- Electrical challenges: Bad wiring or other electrical problems can lead to intermittent motor operation or a full-blown breakdown.
- Old age: Like any mechanical product, blower motors have a fixed life span. As they get older, materials within them wear out and failure becomes more likely.
Get Help Troubleshooting Blower Motor Problems from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, nothing is more critical to us than your comfort. We offer years of experience, emergency response and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If your blower motor is acting up, or you want to ward off future problems before they occur, reach out to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll evaluate the issue and fix the problem so you can enjoy a comfortable home environment all year long. Schedule your appointment today by calling 954-736-4314!