A furnace is an essential heating appliance that keeps your house comfortable and cozy when the temperature outside is freezing. Although, furnaces are rigid appliances and will perform effortlessly for years if maintained properly but can still experience some problems. A common furnace problem is the blower motor going bad and it must be replaced by certified furnace repair services. We will share a few tips that will help you determine if the blower motor has gone bad and needs replacement.
No Air From The Vents
If your furnace blower motor has gone bad or is about to go about, you will notice no air coming from the vents when you turn on the heat. You will have no other option but to replace the motor when it’s not working at all.
On the other hand, there are some other reasons as well that are causing this problem. For instance, something might be stuck in the vents preventing air from passing. It’s possible that the thermostat settings are not right.
Plus, relay issues can also cause airflow complications. That said, before you blame the blower motor, you will need to check for such factors as the blower motor does not come cheap.
If the furnace happens to be old along with the vents, there could be leaks, cracks, or damage that is causing the air to escape even before it reaches the inside of your house. You will need to perform a thorough inspection of the vents and fix any flaws.
At the same time, check if birds, rats, or other intruders have taken up accommodation. During the winter season, animals are in search of warm conditions and might end up in the furnace. The only way to prevent this is by performing regular inspections.
Increasing Energy Bills
Even though a furnace comprises several different parts the blower motor consumes the most electricity as it is responsible for circulating hot air by running constantly. This means if you notice your energy bills are going up every month, it could be the furnace struggling to be efficient.
A decrease in the furnace’s efficiency means it is working harder to heat the house in the same settings as before. Then again, there could be any other factor contributing to this issue. It could be that someone is constantly changing the thermostat settings.
Weird Noises
While running, furnaces produce a slight humming sound. If you observe weird and unusual sounds, it means something is wrong with your HVAC system. These appliances can produce rattling, squeaking, or screeching sounds. When this happens, you should immediately shut down the unit and try to determine the source of the sound.
As mentioned earlier, a furnace comprises several different parts and each could produce different types of sounds. It could be as simple as the blower motor bearing needing replacement or as bad as the blower fan giving up.
Do not attempt to diagnose the issue while the furnace is running. You can end up seriously injuring yourself considering the extremely hot temperature. Meanwhile, a rattling or knocking noise in most cases means something is broken. However, banging sounds are the most important and lethal.
It means you have to replace the whole blower motor. Depending on the make, model, and age of your furnace, the blower motor may or may not be that expensive. But you must consult an expert and have him handle the issue because regular homeowners can’t do blower motor replacements if they don’t have the experience in doing so.
Overheating
Your furnace blower motor can also overheat. Even if maintained properly, keep in mind that blower motors come with a lifespan attached. This means after several years, the components inside the blower motor will weaken and overheat. Plus, if you observe a strange smell coming from the air vents, it most likely means the blower motor is overheating.
In addition to that, if you notice the blower motor shutting off mid-operation, it means it is overheating. Then again, you will need an expert from HVAC companies Tyson’s Corner to handle the issue as an overheating blower motor is a serious problem. If not handled quickly, the overheating can also affect other parts of the furnace and, in worst cases, it can also start a fire.
The Furnace Is Not Powering Up
If your furnace has a bad blower motor, it will simply fail to turn on. Even if it manages to turn on, it will not produce or circulate hot air. Furthermore, if you have to constantly restart the furnace, it means something is seriously wrong.
Plus, it could also be a power issue or someone playing around with the thermostat settings. The thermostat determines the amount of warm air the furnace needs to produce to keep the house warm. If there is a relay or any such related issue, the furnace will fail to turn on. Contact a professional to help sort out the issue.
The Furnace Is Simply Old
If nothing else works out, it simply means your furnace is old and you will need to replace it. With time, the components inside the furnace turn weak and you cannot spend money on frequent repairs. If you notice the value of repairs and replacements crossing the actual value of the unit, it would be wise to opt for a new replacement.
When a furnace turns old, there is no guarantee that repairs and replacements will be able to hold on. At some point, the furnace will constantly experience problems and that will be the best time to opt for a replacement. A new furnace will be more efficient that your old furnace.
How Do I Prevent Furnace Problems?
Furnaces like other household appliances need maintenance to keep running smoothly for years to come. Every manufacturer recommends professional maintenance depending on the usage frequency of the unit. As a general rule of thumb, you should get the furnace maintained by a professional at least once a year.
However, if the usage frequency is mostly throughout the year, you should perform professional maintenance twice. In the meantime, you should also look out for unusual signs and symptoms that might indicate a problem. So, you will be able to fix the issue before it turns serious.
While inspecting the furnace, it is equally important to check the relevant components as well such as the vents. If you have installed an aftermarket thermostat, you might need to replace its batteries or recalibrate it.
Professional maintenance is not only limited to cleaning the unit but also checking for potential problems by spotting unusual signs and symptoms such as cracks, damage, or leakages. Most people think of it as expensive whereas it is like an investment.
By investing in professional maintenance, you get to avoid problems during extreme temperatures and keep things running problem-free for years.
Conclusion
A furnace blower motor going bad can produce several signs & symptoms. You need to be familiar with them to be able to diagnose the issue on the spot. Plus, make sure to schedule professional maintenance avoid further complications in the future and hire furnace services Arlington if you notice any of the above signs or you suspect that the blower motor is bad.