With the average winter temperature in Amarillo reaching as low as 23 degrees and the summers rising to 91 degrees, it’s important to ensure your HVAC systems are working correctly to keep your home at the right temperature. If you can’t get your home to reach a comfortable temperature, it may be a sign of a bad blower motor or another problem with your home’s HVAC unit. Keep reading to discover the culprits and signs of a bad blower motor in your HVAC system.
What Is an HVAC Blower Motor?
A blower motor is the part of your HVAC system that turns on the fan and sends hot or cool air into your home. When the system is turned on, the blower motor pushes hot or cool air through your vents until your home reaches the desired temperature.
There are two types of blower motors in your furnace: direct drive and belt drive. Direct-drive motors are the most common and are connected to the furnace blower wheel. Belt-drive motors are often found on old furnaces and feature a motor pulley that connects to a fan pulley that turns the blower wheel.
There are also two different speeds of blower motors: single speed and variable speed. Single-speed blower motors blow air at one speed until the desired temperature is reached and then turn off. Variable-speed blower motors, on the other hand, blow air at different speeds depending on how far out of range the temperature is. For example, if the temperature of your room is only a couple of degrees below the desired temperature, it will blow at a low speed to bridge the gap. However, if your room has fallen significantly cooler, it will blow at a high speed to bring up the temperature quicker.
How Long Does an HVAC Blower Motor Last?
Like the rest of your HVAC system, blower motors will last between 15 and 20 years with proper maintenance. It’s important to stay on top of needed repairs and to have an HVAC expert conduct annual maintenance on your entire unit to ensure everything is running smoothly. With your HVAC system keeping your home comfortable during the brisk winters and scorching summers of the Texas Panhandle, regular maintenance will ensure you’re always at the perfect temperature. Over time, you may notice the need for more frequent repairs, which may be a sign it’s time to get your furnace or air conditioner replaced.
What Causes a Blower Motor To Go Bad?
If you find your home’s temperature isn’t regulating like it used to, it may be a sign that your blower motor is going bad. Several things can cause HVAC problems, including moisture or debris buildup, worn-out bearings, overheating, electrical issues, fan issues, temperature control issues, or wear due to old age.
As most HVAC units are often placed in out-of-sight locations such as a basement, utility room, closet, or attic, they can be a heavy collector of dust and debris. When this debris builds up on your system, it can lead to parts failing, electrical shorts, or overworking.
Common Symptoms of a Failing Blower Motor
If you suspect your blower motor or HVAC system is not working properly, there are a few key signs you can look for:
- Weak airflow: Poor or weak airflow from your vents is usually the first sign you’ll notice if you have a failing unit. This can mean that your blower motor is clogged, malfunctioning, or overheated and not performing as it should be.
- Noises coming from your vents: Another warning sign you may notice is strange noises, such as rattling, squealing, or screeching, coming from your HVAC system when you turn it on.
- Unusual smells: Strange noises from your furnace may be accompanied by burning or unpleasant smells, which can be an indicator that your blower motor is overheating.
- High energy bills: If your energy bills are significantly higher than they normally are, it may be an indicator of a failed blower motor that has to work harder than normal to do its job.
If you notice your home isn’t being heated or cooled at all, your HVAC system may have stopped working altogether. If this is the case, it’s time to call an HVAC professional to replace the blower motor or the entire heating and cooling unit.
Call Frank’s Repair Plumbing for Your HVAC and Blower Motor Repairs
If your home HVAC systems aren’t working like they used to, keep an eye out for the problems above. If you notice poor airflow from your vents, strange smells or noises, or skyrocketing energy bills, call Frank’s for your HVAC repair needs. We can schedule an inspection to determine if your blower motor or HVAC system needs to be replaced or identify any other issues that may be causing problems.
Frank’s Repair Plumbing is family-owned and operated with over 70 years of experience servicing the Texas Panhandle. With honest and up-front technicians, we’ll be able to identify the issue and fix it in no time. Diamond Club members even have access to discounted pricing, reduced feeds, priority scheduling, and financing options. If your home’s heating or cooling systems require repair, contact us. Our technicians are ready to help around the clock.
