How do I know if my furnace blower is bad?

Author: Mr. Wyman Hermann Sr.  |  Last update: Sunday, November 30, 2025

Here are some signs of a broken furnace blower motor:
  1. Loud Operating Noises. When your blower has an issue, you might hear odd noises coming from your vents. ...
  2. Weak or Absent Airflow. Weak airflow or total lack of it is the most obvious sign of a bad blower motor. ...
  3. Overheating. ...
  4. High Energy Bills.

How to tell if your furnace blower is bad?

Here are the key indicators:
  1. Unusual Noises. Screeching or Squealing. ...
  2. Weak Airflow. Insufficient Heating. ...
  3. Motor Overheating. Excessive Heat from the Furnace. ...
  4. Inconsistent Performance. Start-Stop Issues. ...
  5. High Energy Bills. An inefficient, struggling blower motor often increases energy usage and higher bills.
  6. Age and Wear.

How do you know if your furnace blower motor is going out?

Here are the signs you need to give your residential heating repair company a call about this problem.
  • No Airflow. If you notice that there is no warm air at all coming through your heat registers, then you may have a broken blower motor. ...
  • Less Airflow. ...
  • Rattling or Screeching Noises. ...
  • High Energy Bills. ...
  • Strange Smells.

How do I know if I need to replace my blower motor?

You should replace your blower motor when you notice the following signs:
  1. Weak Airflow. The first indication that you have a faulty blower motor is when the airflow out of your air conditioner is weak. ...
  2. No Airflow. ...
  3. Unusually High Energy Bills. ...
  4. Strange Sounds. ...
  5. Overheating.

What happens when your blower motor goes out on your furnace?

If the blower fails to operate, you won't receive any heated air through the vents in your home. If the blower isn't turning on at all, this is a symptom that can indicate a full replacement motor is necessary.

Furnace Blower Not Working - How to Check It

How much does it cost to replace a furnace blower motor?

Replacing a furnace blower motor costs $560, on average. Depending on the size and type of motor, most people pay $300 to $900. The average blower motor replacement cost is $560, but the final price depends on labor fees, as well as the cost of the parts.

Which of the following is a common symptom of a faulty blower motor?

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.

Should I replace the blower motor or buy a new furnace?

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. On average, a new blower motor costs $300 to $900.

How do you diagnose a blower motor problem?

Look for these key indicators that you have a bad blower motor.
  1. Strange Rattling, Clanking, or Screeching. ...
  2. Weak or No Airflow From The Vents. ...
  3. A Sudden Spike in Your Energy Bills. ...
  4. An Overheating HVAC System. ...
  5. Replace or Maintain a Part in the Blower Motor. ...
  6. Replacing the Blower Motor. ...
  7. Keep Up With HVAC Maintenance.

What does a bad blower sound like?

Faulty Blower Motor

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.

What would cause a furnace blower not to kick on?

A non-working furnace fan typically stems from electrical issues, mechanical failures, or control problems. Start troubleshooting by checking your circuit breaker, thermostat settings, and air filter condition.

What is the life expectancy of a furnace blower motor?

The Lifespan of a Blower Motor

Furnace: A blower motor in a furnace can last a minimum of 10 years but up to 20 if you schedule regular maintenance to keep your unit in good condition.

How do I know if my furnace blower motor capacitor is bad?

Signs of a Bad Furnace Capacitor
  1. Symptom: Clicking Noise. Fortunately, a capacitor can show symptoms of failure before, or during a failure event. ...
  2. Symptom: Acrid Burning Smell Coming from the Furnace. ...
  3. Symptom: Humming Sound from the Blower. ...
  4. Symptom: No Power At All. ...
  5. Symptom: Erratic Motor Operation.

How to reset furnace blower?

Follow these simple steps: First, turn off the power supply to the furnace by turning off the breaker in the circuit box. Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor.

Why is my furnace turning on but not blowing air?

Check Your Furnace Air Filter

Next, check your heater's air filter, as this can cause a furnace to stop blowing air. Your filter could be so saturated with dust and debris. In that case, even though the furnace is actually blowing air, your clogged filter is blocking it from making it into your ducts.

How much is a blower motor for a furnace?

While costs can vary, homeowners can typically expect the following range: Standard Blower Motors: These might cost between $400-700, excluding labor. Advanced Multi-Speed or Variable-Speed Motors: These are generally more expensive, with costs ranging between $650-1250, not including labor.

What are the symptoms of a bad blower motor relay?

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.

How do I know if I need a new furnace blower?

10 Signs That Your Furnace Needs a New Blower Motor
  1. No Airflow From Your Vents. ...
  2. Higher Energy Bills. ...
  3. Strange Noises When Your Furnace Ignites. ...
  4. Strange Smells. ...
  5. The Blower Stops Working After You Turn On Your Furnace. ...
  6. Constant Thermostat Adjustments. ...
  7. There Is Cold Air Coming From Your Furnace. ...
  8. Your Furnace Doesn't Ignite.

Can you replace a furnace blower motor yourself?

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.

How many blowers does a furnace have?

Modern gas furnaces have two separate airflow systems which operate while the furnace is running. The first system uses a draft inducer fan motor to draw air into the burner assembly.

How do I know if my blower fuse is bad?

To test the fuse, set your multimeter to the continuity test setting. Then, touch the probes to either side of the fuse. If the fuse is OK, the multimeter should beep or indicate that you've completed the circuit. If you get no such indication, that means the fuse is bad and must be replaced.

How do I know if my blower motor module is bad?

  1. Symptoms of a Bad Blower Motor Control Module.
  2. A blower motor control module is crucial for your vehicle's HVAC system. ...
  3. * No Airflow or Weak Airflow.
  4. One of the most telling signs is if the blower motor isn't blowing air at all or the airflow is weaker than usual. ...
  5. * Intermittent Operation.

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