When it comes to furnaces, dependability is everything. A broken heater is more than inconvenient, it can be hard on the budget and a cold wait for repair services. Knowing the various components of your heating system and the warning sounds and signs of malfunction can help you stay warm in your home, safe from Houston’s cold winters, as well as potentially extend your furnace’s lifespan.
Furnace/AC Blowers Parts and their Functions
A blower is a small system itself, with several parts working together for one function – to move air. It is used for both AC and heating to circulate conditioned air through the vents and home.
The blower’s motor is the main component. It is the power source for spinning the shaft and impeller fan (either at a single or variable speed, depending on the motor type.) Many residential and light commercial blowers are “direct driven,” with the fan connected directly to the shaft coming off the motor. Whereas in belt-driven systems, the shaft connects to a pulley and drive belt, connected to turn the fan.
The motor is one of the most commonly damaged parts of a blower, easily affected by other components malfunctioning and causing it to overheat.
The other typical problem with a blower is a faulty capacitor. The capacitor works like a battery to store the necessary charge to start up the motor and keep it running efficiently. Without it, a motor might not have enough initial power to start, or it will run slow and hot. Capacitors are sealed and not serviceable, so when these go out, replacement is the only option.
Along with the motor and capacitor, bearings can frequently be an issue. Bearings surround the shaft to reduce friction as it spins at high RPM. Without proper lubrication, they will make a lot of racket and eventually result in a system shutdown. (If you own a furnace with a draft inducer, bearing failure in it will also be audible, but only for a few minutes when the furnace first turns on.)
Hage Energy’s certified technicians thoroughly inspect every part of of an HVAC system for signs of problems. Something wrong with one part will likely gradually (and sometimes immediately) damage another part… all leading to an array of malfunctions.
Four signs your blower motor might be failing:
1. Noises like clicking, humming, grinding, screeching, or banging
Clicking is often the spark igniter, but it can also be the blower capacitor beginning to fail. A faint humming or grinding sound could be the first sign of bearings that need lubricating or replacing. Left unserviced, the sounds will turn into a screech or squeal, before the blower fails altogether. Several things can cause a heating system to make loud banging noises, but in the case of blowers, it could be an unbalanced wheel caused by built-up dirt, dust, and debris.
2. A burning odor in the air
The smell of something burning in your home is alarming. If it is related to your HVAC or furnace, it will likely be accompanied by the system shutting off, thanks to the internal limit switch that trips to protect the unit’s components. An overheating blower motor can be the source of the odor. If you smell burning of any kind – dust, rubber, plastic, etc. – call Hage Energy right away.
3. No airflow coming out of registers
Often no airflow is the biggest clue for homeowners that their AC or heater isn’t working. If your heater is running, but no air is coming from the air registers, something is wrong. Though the blower is an obvious culprit, since it is responsible for circulating air, the most common reason for no airflow is actually blocked vents and clogged air filters. If you don’t feel adequate air coming from the registers, first try replacing your filter and checking that all vents have at least 10” of clearance from objects like sofas, dressers, bookcases, etc.
4. A sudden spike in utility consumption
If your system is not operating properly for any reason, it will show on your energy bill. The unit will draw more power when it has to work harder to achieve adequate results, and even more when it starts to fail. The ideal scenario is noticing there is an issue before you see it on your utilities statement.
What Can Cause Blower Motor Problems?
Like everything else, a furnace blower is vulnerable to aging, but you can help it last for its full lifespan. Keep external components clean, replace air intake filters, and schedule routine servicing to check for damaged, faulty, or failing parts.
Many things can cause blowers to function poorly, loudly, and/or overheat including:
- Inadequate lubrication
- Leaking shaft seals
- Capacitor electrical problems
- Damaged or snapped belt, or incorrect belt tension
- Overly worn bearings
- Misaligned or worn sheaves
- Clogged fan shafts
- Dirty air filters
- Debris buildup around the motor
- Excessive moisture
Heating System Repairs, Upgrades, and Maintenance
Furnace and HVAC Services in Houston and Surrounding Cities
Regular maintenance and occasional repairs are cost-effective and proactive measures that improve the performance and extend the life of your heating and cooling system.
Hage Energy is proud to offer top-tier repair, maintenance, and installation services for all makes and models of heating and AC systems. We support thousands of residents in the Houston area experience reliable, optimal air quality, energy costs, and comfort levels.
Call our experienced, certified technicians at 713-560-0600 if your air conditioning and heating system isn’t working, or could work better. Or if you’re interested in scheduling HVAC maintenance services, check out Hage Energy’s Preventative Maintenance Membership program.
