Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs A New Blower Motor

Posted on: 7 July 2023

Your air conditioner consists of several different moving parts and pieces. One of the largest, most important parts is the blower motor. This motor drives the fan that propels the cooled air into your AC ducts and through your home. Unfortunately, blower motors can sometimes fail. When this happens, the easiest solution is usually to have an AC contractor replace the blower motor. They can usually do so without having to replace the rest of your AC setup. So, what are the signs that your AC unit needs this repair? Take a look. 

Banging and Clanging

Blower motors suffer a lot of friction, wear, and tear as they are used over the years. Especially if you do not keep the pieces well lubricated, they can rub on one another and wear each other down. Eventually, a worn or thin part may snap, which will cause a part to come loose in the blower motor. This part will then bang and clang around when the AC kicks on. If you hear a banging or clunking noise when cold air is coming from your ducts, your AC unit probably needs a new blower motor.

No Air From the Vents

Maybe you hear the air conditioner kick on, but the air never starts coming out of the vents. If you go look at your outdoor AC compressor, you may notice that it is covered in frost. This is because it is hyper-cooling because the fan is not blowing any air past it to "collect" that coldness. This can happen when the electrical connections in the blower motor fail, or if the motor seizes up. Sometimes an AC contractor may simply be able to repair the connection, but they'll usually need to replace the whole blower motor.

Constantly Running Fan

If you have your thermostat set to "auto," then the fan should turn on when the AC is running and off when the AC is not running. If the fan is running constantly, then there is something wrong with the switches or electrical connections in your blower motor. It is not sensing when to turn on and off. Some blower motors have sensors that are easy to replace, but most models have these sensors embedded deep inside, which makes replacing the whole blower motor the more feasible approach.

If you notice any of the signs above, you probably need a new blower motor. Contact an air conditioning repair company near you to learn more.

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