Call Us TodayDoes My HVAC Motor Need to Be Replaced?
The last thing you want is your AC system to fail you during the summer. You want your HVAC blower motor to be working in peak condition.
However, several factors can lead to the HVAC system becoming ineffective. Often, these are minor issues that our technicians at Hoff Heating & AC can quickly fix. At other times, they are more complicated issues that require major components be replaced, such as your blower motor.
The blower motor is a critical component of your HVAC system. If it’s not working correctly, it will negatively impact the air quality of your home. The following tips can help you decide if it’s time to replace the motor in your HVAC system.
What Is Your AC Blower Motor?
The blower motor is a component of your air conditioning system that blows cooled air through the vents in your house. The cool air your air conditioner creates is circulated through your ductwork throughout the indoor space.
The blower motor ensures that your home’s temperature reaches the level indicated by the thermostat. This is accomplished via a spinning fan that forces air through the ducts and vents in your home.
The speed of your blower motor is controlled by its resistor. Even a relatively small AC blower motor has the power to move large amounts of conditioned air through your home.
Your AC blower motor may be single-speed or variable-speed motor. A single-speed motor is simpler and blows air at a consistent speed equal to its total capacity. It turns on and off based on instructions received from the thermostat.
A variable-speed motor can operate at high or low speeds, depending on the information received from the thermostat. With a variable-speed motor, you get consistent temperatures throughout your home and improved energy efficiency.
Why Do Blower Motors Need to Be Replaced?
Just like other components of your HVAC system, your AC blower motor experiences wear and tear over time. This makes it vulnerable to mechanical failures. The older your air conditioning unit is, the more problematic your AC blower motor may become.
You might be able to repair an aging AC motor. However, once it starts to give you problems, it will likely malfunction again in the future. If you have fixed your AC blower motor a couple of times, instead of forking out money for future repairs, it may be in your best interests to have your AC motor completely replaced. The HVAC professionals at Hoff Heating & AC would be happy to help you evaluate the current condition of your blower motor and provide recommendations on whether it is time to replace it or if the unit can be repaired. Several signs indicate that a blower motor replacement is in order.
Weak Vent Airflow
The first sign that your blower motor might be faulty is weak airflow from the vents. Check the engine if the air coming out of the vents is weak. This might indicate that your furnace blower motor has difficulty pushing air through the ducts to reach the desired temperature.
There are several reasons why this could be occurring. There could be a bad capacitor or a collection of grime and dust on the motor. Our technicians at Hoff Heating & AC can easily replace a capacitor and clean your blower motor.
It could be that your blower is close to the end of its service life. If so, it may be time to consider purchasing a new blower motor. During our inspection of your AC system, we will evaluate your ductwork to see if it is dirty, leaky, or clogged, which could also impact airflow.
Absolutely No Airflow
If there is absolutely no airflow coming out of the vents, it is likely that the problem with your AC blower motor has reached the point where the motor is completely inoperative. In this case, you have no option but to replace it with a new unit.
That being said, the absence of airflow may result from a bad battery or an issue with the thermostat. The best way to identify the problem is to have a qualified technician do a complete review of your system.
Exceptionally High Energy Bills
The blower motor is the part of your AC system that consumes the most energy. A faulty blower motor is likely the problem if there is a noticeable rise in your utility bills.
As your blower motor ages or if it becomes dirty or starts to have mechanical issues, it needs to work harder to circulate air through your home. The result is that you will see higher energy consumption.
When you invite our technicians to evaluate your AC system, we may recommend that you replace your single-speed motor with a smart variable-speed blower motor. This type of motor will adjust its energy usage to meet the varying cooling needs in your home. You will be drastically reducing the amount of wasted energy.
Weird Sounds
Your blower motor is not going to run 100% silently. It is going to make some noise. However, if you hear strange sounds, there is likely an issue with your blower motor that requires repair or replacement.
For example, a screeching blower motor could mean that the motor has been damaged or has a problem with its belt or bearings. Our technicians may fix this by lubricating the belt or replacing the bearings.
If you’re hearing a clinking, banging, or rattling sound, this is an occasion that there is a broken or loose part. If the sound is very loud, this is worrisome as it is usually a sign that something is disconnected or damaged. In the latter case, you will likely need to replace the blower motor.
Regardless of the strange sound you hear, be it banging, clinking, or squeaking, you should immediately turn your AC unit off and contact the HVAC technicians at Hoff Heating & AC.
Problems like a damaged belt or bad alignment can be fixed quickly. However, if you run the unit with these issues, the problem will compound and may lead to you needing to replace your AC unit completely.
Overheating
There are a lot of reasons why your blower motor may overheat. Dirt and grime can prevent the motor from ventilating itself. If your blower molder is old and worn out, it has to work harder to push air into your home. This added strain leads to overheating, breakdowns, and increased energy costs. In this circumstance, getting a new blower motor is the best solution.
Superior Heating and Cooling Services in O’Fallon
At Hoff Heating & AC, we proudly offer complete solutions for customers across O’Fallon and the surrounding communities. Our team is made up of expert NATE-certified technicians. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are proud of our more than three decades of hands-on, reliable, efficient service.
Our services include air quality inspection, HVAC installation repair and maintenance, geothermal installation and maintenance, as well as work on new and existing construction. Contact Hoff Heating & AC today and see how we strive to earn customer loyalty through trust, high-quality products, and good customer service.
