Almost every home has a functioning HVAC system that consists of a furnace for the winter and an air conditioner for the hotter summer months. As a smart homeowner, you know how important it is to keep your HVAC system functioning all the time. If the HVAC system is not regularly checked and maintained, your air conditioning stops working in the middle of summer, or the heating system may malfunction. Often these situations occur due to a faulty motor. Motors are the most vital part of the HVAC system as it keeps the system functioning properly. But if your AC isn’t cooling or the heating system is acting strange, possibly it’s because of a faulty motor.
The blower motor is a major component of an HVAC system and if it goes bad, your system will fail to function. Whether you’re experiencing low airflow, strange noise, overheating, or unusually high electricity bills, all these signs indicate an issue within the HVAC system. If you’re not sure what it is, make sure to take a look at the motor. The function of the blower motor is to flow conditioned air through vents. Your system might have a single-speed blower motor that works at the same speed or a variable speed motor that works at high or low speed to maintain a constant temperature throughout the home. A sudden HVAC breakdown in the middle of a cold night or scorching summer can be a big nuisance. So, to avoid this situation, you should keep looking for minor signs that indicate a malfunctioning motor. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s best to buy a new motor to avoid a sudden system breakdown.
Weak or No Airflow
The most common sign of a faulty blower motor is low or no airflow from the vents. If the airflow is weak than usual, possibly your furnace blower motor lacks the power to push enough air through the ducts. Low airflow results in failure to achieve an optimal indoor temperature. This issue could arise due to dirt or dust buildup, an old motor, or a faulty capacitor. Minor issues such as dust buildup can be solved by calling an HVAC repair technician. However, if your motor has completed its lifespan, replacement is the only solution.
Strange Noise
Often HVAC system starts making odd noises that homeowners ignore. However, a strange sound is an indication of a potential breakdown. Your HVAC technician can repair this issue but sometimes the professional recommend motor replacement to achieve optimal performance. Banging clanking, or screeching noises typically indicates that the belt of the blower motor has a damaged or there’s an issue with the bearing. If fixing the belt or lubricating the bearings doesn’t help, consider a motor replacement.
High Energy Bills
If your energy bill has skyrocketed lately, possibly your HVAC motor is to be blamed. A faulty motor consumes more energy because it has to work harder to push the conditioned air through all the vents. Replacing the old or damaged motor is the right option to avoid high energy bills.
Overheating
You may also notice overheating due to a fault in the motor. Some other issues can also result in overheating such as dirt accumulation that prevents the motor from venting itself and cause heat to build up. But if dust buildup is not the culprit, then most probably your motor is too old and worn out.
