A faulty HVAC system can present huge inconveniences, especially during very hot or cold days. The whole process of identifying a problem and solving it is very laborious, but it is necessary.
Various issues can occur, and different factors can cause them. Minor problems that are easily solved are pretty frequent.
Unfortunately, bigger issues take place sometimes and you must replace certain parts with new ones.
A very common problem is a malfunctioning motor blower which is an essential part of your HVAC system.
We are going to discuss when and how to replace this component, so stick around to learn more!
Moreover, you should check out Clover Services for professional plumbing services because they offer what you need!
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What Is A Blower Motor?
A motor blower is a crucial component of your home HVAC system. Simply put, its role is to blow the air through the vent.
The air temperature depends on whether the heating or air conditioning is used at a given moment.
You usually set your thermostat to the preferred temperature, and the motor blower will start to blow hot or cold air when the temperature drops or goes over what you have chosen.
Note that a motor blower has a fan that spins to make sure that the air is circulating the house.
There are two types of motor blowers:
- Single-speed: As the name implies, these blowers can only blow air at one speed. They use the complete energy capacity, which might not be the best option because of your energy bills.
- Variable-speed: These blowers operate at slower or faster speeds instead of just one standard speed. The thermostat tells them when to blow at a certain speed. Hence, this is a more efficient option if you want to save money on your bills.
How Do I Know the Blower Is Broken?
Motor blowers are almost too involved in your cooling and heating systems, which is why they tend to stop working sometimes.
They might also show signs of malfunctioning, which implies that they can stop working at any point. Here are a couple of things that hint at a broken motor blower:
1. Weak Airflow
If you notice that the air coming out of your vents is no longer as strong as it used to be, your motor blower is probably experiencing some problems.
Dirt and dust can be the reason for this issue, which can be easily fixed by hiring a technician.
On the other hand, if your system is old and you have not replaced your motor in ages, it is probably coming to the end of its shelf life, and you should consider buying a new one.
2. No Airflow
When there is absolutely no air coming out of the vent, the motor blower is most likely broken, and you need to replace it.
This can be caused by other issues as well. Therefore, hire someone to do a thorough inspection which you might be incapable of as a novice.
3. Energy Bills Are Higher
If you notice that your bills are higher than they used to be, this might be a sign that the motor blower is significantly weaker and is roping in more energy than standard.
4. Overheating
Your motor blower can overheat due to different reasons. But more often than not, it happens if the blower is too old, or there is too much dirt around it. If it is old, replace it, and if there is dirt, get someone to clean it.
5. Weird Sounds
Odd sounds are never a good sign, and they imply that something is not working the way it is supposed to. Note that different sounds hint at different problems and only a specialist can do the correct diagnosis.
How To Replace The Motor Blower?
Once you've concluded that your motor blower is broken, you will have to replace it. You will either have to be an excellent mechanic or hire someone to do this for you.
Either way, the following needs to be done:
- Turn off the electricity to avoid possible accidents.
- Take away the panel which covers the blower.
- Unscrew the frame.
- Disconnect the wires.
- Take out the motor housing.
- Loosen the screws by the motor shaft and on the back.
- Unscrew the hub puller so that it fits over the shaft.
- Reinforce bolts on the sides of the hub puller.
- Turn the hub puller clockwise to loosen the motor.
- Remove the motor.
- Take off the belly band.
- Locate the new motor.
- Reattach the belly band.
- Connect the bolts again and screw back everything.
- Put the motor back into the housing and reconnect the wires.
- Turn the power back on.
Pro Tip: Before disconnecting the wires, take a few pictures with your smartphone. This will help you at the end when you need to reattach everything.
What Tools Do I Need?
You will need around four tools to successfully conduct all of the tasks mentioned in the previous segment. These are:
- Screwdrivers: A lot of screws hold everything together, and you will need a screwdriver to unscrew them all.
- Socket wrenches: You will use these for bolts.
- Hub puller: It is used to extract the hub from its position.
- A phone: This one is optional, but taking pictures can come in handy at the end.
What Is the Cost Of Replacement?
If you do not possess mechanical skills, you should hire professionals to replace the motor blower instead of doing it yourself.
Depending on the model, your location, and a lot of other factors, the prices can vary significantly.
The general price range is from $250 to $800, with the average being $450.
However, you might have to pay more in extreme cases, but that usually does not happen.
How Long Should A Motor Blower Last?
The average lifespan for motor blowers is between 12 and 15 years. As you can see, this is indeed a long-term investment.
However, if not maintained properly, they can break well before their life expectancy.
Endnote
Motor blowers need to be inspected regularly. If you notice any malfunctioning, check to see whether your motor blower needs repairing or replacement.
Make sure to stay safe in the entire process and call for professional help if it's too much for you!