As mentioned, the blower's job is to circulate air through the system. If the blower motor is going bad, it will struggle to operate the fan. The result will be weak airflow coming from the vents inside your living spaces.
One of the most telling signs is if the blower motor isn't blowing air at all or the airflow is weaker than usual. If you set your AC or heater to the highest setting and barely feel a breeze, your blower motor control module could be the issue. Another symptom to watch for is the blower motor running inconsistently.
Installing a new heating and air conditioner blower motor could cost around $150 to $250, with most of that coming from labor costs. HVAC technicians usually go for around $75 to $125 per hour. A blower motor replacement might take anywhere from one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hours.
Blower motors are designed to last just as long as your furnace itself, anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Just as with any HVAC system, the better maintained and serviced your equipment is by experienced HVAC technicians the longer it will last and the fewer repairs you'll face.
Find the blower motor, check for excessive dirt and clean it with a rag. If that doesn't d the airflow, the AC blower might be broken, which means you need to contact a professional. Next, you should check your evaporator coil. As you may know, the evaporator coil is responsible for creating cool air.
A Failed Motor
An HVAC blower motor will occasionally fail due to age, wearing out, or not being cleaned regularly. Symptoms may include strange noises, burning smells, or just plain refusing to turn on. If this happens and the motor is no longer operable, a new blower motor may be needed.
On some platforms, a faulty blower motor relay will cause the blower not to work at all, which means there will be no airflow from the A/C. On others, the blower won't work on “high blow” but all the other speeds will work. The blower motor relay fails because it regularly deals with high current loads.
Replacing the blower motor is likely the best decision if your furnace is under warranty or relatively new. It might be better to replace the furnace if it's old or has a lot of issues that require frequent repairs.
If your blower motor is experiencing some issues, you may hear a high-pitched squeal or whistling sound. You may also experience rattling and loud screeching noises. The motor blower pushes warm air out of the furnace through the ducts into your home.
Typically, the lifespan of furnace blower motors spans from a minimum of 10 years up to about 20 years, with most enduring an average period between 15 and 20 years.
The blower, or fan, can cause problems if it becomes too dirty or suffers a blockage. There are several reasons why a blower may stop working, including a clog, a stuck wheel, or a loose fan belt. The good news is that these problems are common and can be fixed.
Less air will come out from the vents; the air coming out could be warm, and the system may continually run without actually cooling your home.
Similar to other components in an HVAC system, the blower motor becomes more vulnerable to mechanical failures as it experiences more wear and tear over time. If your air conditioner is aging and becoming increasingly problematic with continuous issues, there's a good chance the motor is in trouble.
“An average blower motor can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500,” Smith says, “The more horsepower your motor has, the more expensive the replacement will cost.” This price range includes parts and labor. Residential blower motors are usually one-quarter, one-third or one-half horsepower (hp).
Most blower wheels need to be pulled and cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on usage and the home. A dirty blower wheel can negatively affect the airflow in your HVAC unit, causing your heat exchanger to overheat and AC coils to freeze. It will also reduce the efficiency of your blower motor and your entire system.
The replacement of the blower motor is common and straightforward, so most shops will perform the repair — many on the same day.
It typically takes one to four hours for the technician to replace the AC fan motor. Normally, good technicians will check for other issues during this replacement. If more problems are found, they will be repaired as well.
Undo the screws on the motor to remove the belly band. The rotation of the motor needs to match the direction of the fans, so position them accordingly. Attach the new motor to the belly band. Center the new motor on the fan wheel, fasten the bolts, and connect the capacitor.