Your furnace is essential for keeping your home warm and comfortable during the winter, so naturally you’ll want to make sure it stays in good working condition. Unfortunately, many things can go wrong with your heating system, especially if it’s over a decade old. One of the more common issues you might encounter is a bad blower motor. Since the blower motor is responsible for pushing warm air throughout your home, it’s a good idea to recognize the signs that your blower motor has gone bad. If you notice any of these 10 signs, you probably need blower motor repair or replacement in Shawnee, KS today.
1. No Airflow From Your Vents
A lack of airflow from your vents is one of the biggest signs that something is wrong with your HVAC system. This is often due to a bad blower motor, but it could be caused by other issues as well such as blocked vents or leaky ducts.
2. Higher Energy Bills
Your blower motor uses more energy than any other part of your HVAC system. If it’s on its last legs, it could be working harder than usual to maintain a decent airflow in your home. If your energy bills have been exceptionally high lately, a dying blower motor could be to blame.
3. Strange Noises When Your Furnace Ignites
Aside from the faint sound of rushing air, you shouldn’t hear anything when you operate your furnace. If you hear anything else such as clanking, screeching, rattling, or banging, there is likely something very wrong that needs to be checked out. Banging sounds are especially troublesome as they are usually a sign that your blower motor is breaking down and needs to be replaced.
4. Strange Smells
There is sometimes a burning smell when you turn on your furnace for the first time after several weeks. This is the scent of dust in your system burning away and should go away after about 10 minutes. If the smell doesn’t go away, you may have an overheating blower motor.
5. The Blower Stops Working After You Turn On Your Furnace
In some cases, a blower will shut down when it overheats. This will likely happen shortly after you turn on your furnace. If it does we can inspect your furnace to see if you need a new blower motor.
6. Constant Thermostat Adjustments
Your thermostat is supposed to keep your home at a consistent temperature. If you find that your home never seems to reach the right temperature or that you’re constantly adjusting your thermostat, your blower motor might not be working properly. Our team can diagnose thermostat issues to help you decide if you’re dealing with a blower motor problem or if the thermostat is faulty.
7. There Is Cold Air Coming From Your Furnace
If the air coming from your furnace is cold, there is something wrong that needs to be checked out. It could be something simpler like a clogged HVAC filter, or it could be a bad blower motor. Either way, your system should be checked out by an HVAC technician.
8. Your Furnace Doesn’t Ignite
If your blower motor isn’t working properly, your furnace might shut itself off immediately or not turn on at all. This can be caused by several issues.
9. You Have an Old Blower Motor
Furnaces generally have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, but they can start to show their age after about a decade. If your HVAC system is at least that old and you have frequent furnace problems, you might need a new blower motor if not a whole new furnace.
10. You Have a Yellow Pilot Light
The pilot light on your furnace should always be blue. It’s a sign that your furnace is burning natural gas and is working properly. If it turns yellow, you might have a gas leak that could be disastrous for your household. This can sometimes be tied to a bad blower motor, but it could also be a sign of a cracked heat exchanger.
Contact Air Care Heating & Cooling in Shawnee, KS for Assistance
Our technicians at Air Care Heating & Cooling will be happy to take a look at your blower motor to see if it needs to be replaced. We also provide other services such as furnace and AC installation, water heater installation, and indoor air quality services. For more information about our services or to find out if you need a new blower motor for your furnace, contact Air Care Heating & Cooling in Shawnee today.
