What is the life expectancy of a HVAC blower?

Author: Deven Friesen I  |  Last update: Sunday, November 30, 2025

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.

How much does it cost to replace a blower in HVAC?

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.

How do I know if my blower motor needs to be replaced?

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. This generally means the blower motor has failed completely, which may indicate there have been problems for a while.

What is the life expectancy of a blower fan?

A blower motor should last at least 10 years, and could last up to 20, depending on the type of HVAC unit you have in your home. There are a few warning signs that your blower motor is damaged, including little-to-no airflow coming from your vents, a burning smell, and skyrocketing energy bills.

Why do HVAC blower motors fail?

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.

HVAC How to Test a Furnace Blower Motor

How to tell if a HVAC blower motor is bad?

6 Signs of a Bad AC Blower Motor
  1. Weak Airflow From Your Vents. One of the first signs you may notice is what feels like less air coming from your vents. ...
  2. No Airflow. ...
  3. Unusual and Loud Sounds. ...
  4. Climbing Utility Bills. ...
  5. Overheating. ...
  6. Tripping Circuit Breaker.

How long do HVAC blower motors last?

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.

How long do blowers last?

More specifically, systems that include blower motors have a lifespan of roughly: Air-Source Heat Pumps: 10 to 12 years, with a maximum of 15 years or more. Furnaces: 10 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules. DX Air Conditioners: 15 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules and manufacturer quality.

Why does my blower keep dying?

You should inspect your air filter for any signs of dirtiness and replace it annually as most filters require. Another reason why your leaf blower might start and then stall is due to old gas. Old gas that is past its shelf life, which is longer than 3-6 months, can cause a blockage in the fuel filter and carburetor.

What is the useful life of a blower?

Blowers. From this table, blowers have an average effective life of 15-20 years.

Will AC work if blower motor is bad?

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.

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

If the motor is making rattling, clanking, or banging sounds, it may be because of a loose or broken part inside the system. Loud banging sounds are especially worrisome. They're usually a sign that something within the system is damaged or disconnected, potentially indicating the need to replace the blower motor.

Is it worth replacing a blower motor?

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.

How long does it take to replace a blower?

It takes two to three hours to replace a blower motor. When you hire an HVAC repair company, they'll first turn off the home's electricity and gas, remove the old motor and other components, connect and test the function of a new motor, and reassemble the furnace as needed.

How much is a blower motor for a HVAC unit?

The average cost for a furnace blower motor replacement is around $300 to $900. The cost of a blower motor largely depends on its horsepower. A blower motor should last between 10 and 20 years. Replacing a blower motor improves efficiency, provides consistent temperatures, reduces power usage, and lowers noise.

Can a bad blower motor cause AC to freeze?

If your blower motor is not functioning properly, it can't circulate air through your AC system, causing the evaporator coil to become too cold and eventually freeze up.

How do you reset a blower?

How Do I Reset the Blower?
  1. Turn off the circuit breaker powering your HVAC system.
  2. Unscrew the blower cover.
  3. Give the blower time to cool down completely before proceeding.
  4. Push the reset button (typically a red button behind the blower motor).

Why does my AC blower keep going out?

It most commonly occurs when the blower fan motor becomes aged or is overworked. A lack of regular maintenance is generally to blame for blower fan burnout.

What causes a blower motor to burn out?

Some of the reasons a blower motor might fail are overheating, and excessive moisture. When dust, dirt, and debris build up, it can cause the windings and bearings to burn up more quickly.

How long should an AC blower motor last?

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.

How do I know if I need a new blower?

Top Signs of a Failing Blower Motor for Furnace
  • Lack of Airflow from the Vents. ...
  • Increasing Energy Bills. ...
  • Weird Noises. ...
  • Overheating Blower. ...
  • Limited Airflow from Air Vents. ...
  • Constant Adjustments to your Thermostat. ...
  • Cold Air from the Unit. ...
  • Your Furnace is Not Powering Up.

What is the average cost to replace a blower?

Cost for a single-stage blower motor could run between $300 and $900, while cost for a variable-speed blower could be between $600 and $1,500. Remember, though, the higher upfront costs for a variable-speed blower motor will be offset by reduced monthly energy bills.

How do I know if my HVAC blower motor 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 long does HVAC last on average?

A heating or cooling system is a significant investment, and it only makes sense to get as much use out of it as possible. In general, most HVAC systems will last 15 to 25 years, but depending on the type of system and other contributing factors, that estimate can be highly variable.

Why would HVAC blower motor stop working?

This occurs because the blower motor sustained damage due to the bad capacitor. When the bad capacitor is in the unit, the high temperature thermal limit prevents the windings from opening up or shorting out when the rotor is not spinning. However, the resin insulation on the motor windings melt down and degrade.

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