What Is an AC Blower Motor?
Experiencing poor airflow from your AC? Often, this is a sign of trouble with your air conditioner's blower motor. This component drives the fan that pushes air through all the ducts in your home, so it's essential that it works properly.
A malfunctioning blower motor can lead to poor AC performance or even prevent your system from working entirely. Learn more about how a blower motor works, signs it might be failing, and how to reset it with our guide that includes:
- What does an AC blower motor do?
- Common signs of a failing blower motor
- How to reset an AC blower motor
- AC blower motor replacement costs
- When to call a professional for blower motor issues
By understanding common blower motor issues, you can prevent a simple fix from turning into a costly mistake.
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What Does an AC Blower Motor Do?
Your HVAC system's blower motor is part of the air handler. When you turn on your AC, the thermostat signals the motor to start, which powers the fan to drive air across your AC unit's evaporator coils. These coils absorb heat from the air inside your home, transferring it into the refrigerant, which is a chemical that helps carry the heat to the outdoor unit.
If the blower motor develops issues, airflow suffers, making it difficult for your AC to extract heat from your home. In the worst case, the motor could completely give out, and this will stop all cooling because the refrigeration cycle needs airflow to work.
Common Signs of a Failing Blower Motor
AC blower motor not working properly? There are a few ways to tell if it's really the motor that's at fault. Telltale signs include:
- Reduced or absent airflow. If the blower motor fails, the fan that drives the airflow also stops working, so any change in airflow intensity could signal a motor issue.
- Frozen coils. Poor airflow from a faulty blower motor can cause a frozen AC because the coils need consistent airflow to avoid ice formation.
- Burning smells. Poor airflow also causes overheating in other components, which may cause a burning smell.
- Strange noises. Rattling and other odd noises often occur after blower motor issues develop.
- High energy bills. Poor airflow leads to poor cooling performance, which often means high energy bills.
How to Reset an AC Blower Motor
Learning how to reset an AC blower motor can often prevent costly repair diagnostics, as power surges and other temporary issues may be to blame. A quick reset can often get things working again, and you can do this yourself by:
- Turning off the power at the breaker in your home's main panel
- Locating the reset button within the air handler
- Pressing the reset button or holding it for the specified time (check for any guidance on the motor or in your HVAC manual)
- Waiting a few minutes to ensure the reset completes properly
- Restoring the power and checking if the system works
AC Blower Motor Replacement Costs
If a simple reset doesn't work, you may need to repair or replace the blower motor.
So, how much is an AC blower motor? A basic blower motor replacement can cost from $700 to $1,500, depending on the brand and model. However, you could pay up to $5,000 for more advanced high-efficiency and variable-speed motors.
Replacement costs factor in both the component's price and labor expenses. If you have a warranty, it may cover one or both of these expenses.
When to Call a Professional for Blower Motor Issues
Wondering how to replace an AC blower motor? Unfortunately, it's not something you can do without professional training because it involves working with high-voltage electrical components.
You may need to call a professional if a blower motor reset doesn't fix things or if you continue to notice signs such as poor airflow, frozen coils, and uneven cooling throughout your home. Burning smells or electrical issues, such as constant breaker trips, also indicate a need for immediate attention from a certified technician.
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