What Is A Blower Motor
The blower motor is a component in your HVAC system that blows the conditioned air through the vents in your home. It takes the cool air created by your air-conditioner and circulates it throughout your indoor space. This ensures that the temperature reaches the level dictated by the thermostat. It performs this task by spinning a fan, which causes air to move through the ducts and vents in your home. The blower motor resistor is what controls the speed. Even a small motor is capable of moving a large volume of conditioned air.
There are basically two types of blower motor: the single-speed motor and the variable-speed motor. A single-speed motor blows air at only one speed and full capacity when its operating. It turns on and off according to the thermostats instructions. A variable-speed motor, on the other hand, can operate at lower or higher speeds. So you get a more even temperature throughout your home and better energy efficiency.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Ac Fan Motor
One of the most common AC problems is a broken fan motor since they are constantly working and exposed outside to the weather. If you identify that the condenser fan motor is the problem, you will most likely prefer to know how much the repair services and the ac fan motor cost.
There are so many different air conditioner ac fan motor parts. It can be difficult to know what will need to be replaced and how much it is going to cost to get the unit fixed. Some ac parts cost only $50 while others can be more than $2000.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Furnace Blower Motor Replacement
Once again, we will draw a similarity to the blower motor of your car. If you dont have a blower motor that fails to work, then you will not be comfortable. The car blower motor helps to keep you cool or warm during a drive. The HVAC blower motor does the exact same thing, for your home or business.
To replace a furnace blower motor will cost you between$250 and $800 for most homeowners. This is how much an HVAC blower motor replacement costs on average. Do you have an AC unit in your home? Then you will only need to replace the blower motor once, as your AC and furnace use the dame blower assembly to operate. Thankfully, you dont have to pay for a blower motor replacement twice! Many furnaces found in homes, are crafted with one that is installed in the unit- which is in line with the heat exchanger.
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Single Vs Variable Speed Blower Motor Cost
Variable speed motors cost 50% more than single speed motors.
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Single speed: $400$500 on average. Running at one rate, theyre less efficient but much cheaper. Usually come stock in low-efficiency models.
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Variable speed: $600$800 on average. Found in all high-efficiency models, they use varying speeds to reduce power usage and provide more consistent temperatures. They also tend to be quieter.
Strange Sounds From The Motor
Your air conditioner unit at home most probably makes some kind of noise. Low-level noises are to be expected and are not a cause of worry. However, when you start hearing strange loud noises, your blower motor may be the problem. If you hear screeching noises, those are indicative of bearing issues while rattling sounds may be due to a loose or broken part.
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How Much Does It Cost For An Ac Fan Motor Replacement
When your air conditioners fan motor breaks, it will typically cost about $300 to $600 to replace. However, if your AC fan motor is under warranty, it could cost $100 to $300 – if your AC fan motor is not under warranty, it could cost between $200-$700. Its imperative to get this fixed quickly, since without a working fan motor your air conditioners compressor can be the next domino to tumble. Its repair is even more significant usually running closer to $2,000.
What Are The Signs The Blower Fan Motor Needs To Be Replaced
The air conditioning unit is a complicated system. When one thing doesnt work, it may be caused by one of several factors, like excessive dust clogging the filters, a refrigerant leak, or a hard-starting AC compressor, all of which needs immediate attention, replacement, or repair.
What are the signs to watch out for to know your blower fan motor is ready for a replacement?
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What Is A Fan Motor
The condenser fan motor helps keep the compressor from overheating. This part cools the refrigerant that moved through the condensing coils in your outside unit. When the air conditioner is running, you can feel the heat being pulled away from the unit if you put your hand over the unit. That is due to the condenser.
There are actually three different motors in your air conditioning unit: the condenser fan motor, which we have already talked about, the blower motor, and the compressor motor. The blower motor is located in the air handler. The compressor motor is located in the outdoor unit, and if it goes out, you will probably need to replace the entire air compressor.
Signs that your fan motor needs replaced include:
- Higher than normal energy bills
- Warmer than usual air in your home
- Longer cooling time in your home
- Buzzing noise on the outside unit
What Is A Blower Fan Motor
Contrary to what many homeowners believe, air conditioners do not create cool air. Neither does a furnace create warm air. The Joule-Thomson effect, in fact, makes the HVAC system work, and a big part of the process is done by the air conditioner and furnace fan motor .
With the help of the blower wheel, sometimes called a squirrel cage, the blower motor turns the fan blades so that air moves to the evaporator coil and through the rest of the air conditioning system. It removes warm air from inside the house and blows cool air through the vents to give you quality indoor air. Without the blower motor, your air conditioner is basically useless as air cannot efficiently move in the air conditioning system.
There are different types of AC blower motors, each type with different pros and cons although most AC technicians agree that the newer model is more cost-effective than the other.
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What Is Blower Motor Replacement
Your motor may be the part at fault, or you may be having problems with your blower motor resistor or a connector. Its hard to say exactly what part of the heating and cooling unit is causing the problem, and your mechanic will have to get in there and inspect it before giving you an accurate estimate.
How much the entire replacement or repair costs will depend on the kind of car you have and how extensive the damage is. If the blower motor is starting to fail, then other parts of the heating and cooling system probably wont be far behind.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Ac Capacitor Yourself
Replacing an air conditioning capacitor yourself costs $60 to $100, including the part and required tools and safety gear. Mishandling the capacitor can result in serious injury or death. Hiring a pro is the best option if you don’t have extensive HVAC and electrical experience.
Before hiring an AC repair company near you to replace the capacitor, be sure to:
- Get at least three estimates to compare.
- Confirm whether the malfunctioning part is covered under the AC manufacturer’s warranty.
- Look for a NATE-certified technician with experience repairing air conditioners.
- Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau .
- Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business longer than five years.
- Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
- Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
- Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead for work completed.
How Long Do Ac Capacitors Last
An AC capacitor lasts 10 to 20 years, depending on its usage. Capacitors typically require replacement more often in areas that experience extreme temperatures or power surges.
A dirty condenser coil may cause the compressor to draw more amperage, wearing down the capacitor. AC condenser coil cleaning costs$75 to $230 and increases the system’s lifespan.
How Does An Air Handler Work
The air handler regulates the circulation of air in the home and consists of a blower motor, evaporator coil, and air filter. The blower motor moves air across the evaporator coil for heating or cooling then distributes it throughout the home via the ductwork.
The air handler creates a continuous cycle, drawing air in from the home through the return vents and delivering conditioned air back to each room via the supply vents.
Preventing A Fan Motor Breakdown
To keep the condenser fan motor working its very best for a long time, you will need to keep up with annual maintenance. Oiling the fan motor can be beneficial to its lifespan. Call an HVAC repair service to come out for routine maintenance checks to ensure that your fan motor is in good shape. These maintenance checks are generally a small cost compared to a massive breakdown.
Maintenance checks allow professionals to check on all of the parts of the air conditioning unit to ensure that everything is working the way it should. If there are problems, small fixes can prevent major issues later in the life of your unit. Plus, these maintenance checks can actually help your air conditioner live longer.
If you are looking to get a condenser fan motor replaced or repaired in the Kansas City area, contact Cates Heating and Cooling at 913-888-4470. One of our local expert technicians can have your fan motor replaced in no time, so you wont be without cool air in the heat of the summer.
If You’re Replacing A Fan Motor In An Hvac Condenser What Else Should You Replace
A professional HVAC specialist will also replace the ACs run capacitor, which runs the condenser motor. This might cost anywhere from $10 to $150, on top of the condenser repair.
If the specialist sees any other issues, theyll let you know before moving forward. Additional AC repairs cost between $170 and $560, depending on the issue.
Diy Vs Hiring A Professional
Newer HVAC units are more complex and have many reasons that they break. The motor could be part of the problem, but it could also be the electrical circuits. If you are unsure where to start, it is recommended to call an HVAC professional in your area to do a thorough inspection.
Doing repair work on your own can save you money however, you could be replacing equipment that does not need to be replaced. Its not an easy job to replace the motor yourself, but it is feasible for the average DIYer. Some thoughts to consider before replacing the motor is:
- Make sure it is the blower motor that is failing.
- If the main problem is not fixed, you may ruin the new motor you are installing.
Vents Have Weak Air Flow
Weak airflow means that the motor is having a hard time pushing the air through the vents. This can be due to a number of reasons:
- Dirt and dust buildup see if you can clean the dirt off the fan and install a good air filter. If not, contact a professional
- Excessive moisture- call an HVAC technician to see if it can be dried out and fixed
- Bad capacitor call an HVAC technician to fix it
- Aging motor HVACs last about 10-15 years so if the motor is in that range and not working, it may be time to replace the unit
- Ducts that are dirty or leaky
- Clogged filter a filter should be replaced every 3 months or sometimes before that in a home that has dust and pets
It is important that the blower motor is functioning properly. If it is not, then the indoor coil could freeze over because there is no air pushes across the coil.
Ac Compressor Repair Cost
AC compressor replacement costs$600 to $1,200 when under warranty of $1,300 to $2,500 if out of warranty. AC compressor costs depend on the size, type, and brand. AC compressors cannot be repaired on-site and require replacing instead.
An AC compressor hard start kit costs $100 to $270 with installation and gives the compressor an extra boost on startup. A hard start kit may rescue a failing compressor or extend its lifespan.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Ac Blower Motor
Are you in need of a blower motor replacement?
Youre probably wondering how much that will cost you, right? Well, the cost depends on a lot of factors, but well give you a generic range to help you budget. The average cost to replace an AC blower motor on in Jacksonville ranges from $500 to $1800+.
Well discuss the 2 price factors that determine the cost of a blower motor replacement:
First, lets take a look at what your central ACs blower motor actually does.
What does a central AC blower do?
Your central AC blower, also known as the indoor air handler fan, is responsible for: pulling warm air into the AC system and pushing cool air through ductwork and back into your home.
Note: To be more specific, the AC blower is controlled by an electric motor which is housed inside the blower/fan. So when we say blower motor, we are referring to the two parts as one complex component.
The blower motor sits inside the air handler, also known as the indoor unit.
The important thing to remember is that your furnace and your AC share the blower motor. For instance, if youve been told that your blower motor is bad and needs to be replaced, this is technically an AC and a furnace repair in one, which helps put the overall blower motor replacement cost in perspective. Speaking of cost, lets take a closer look at the 2 main factors that will affect the cost of your blower motor replacement.
Two blower motor replacement cost factors
Cost Factor #1: Parts
When To Replace Your Hvac Motor Blower
Its important that you know when your HVAC motor blower needs to be replaced. If you let your HVAC run without a functional motor blower, it wont achieve the desired effect, and it can even cause damage to other components. Here are the key things to look out for:
Weak Airflow From The Vents
If you notice that theres only weak airflow coming through your vents, then it could mean theres an issue with the motor blower. It means that your motor blower is struggling to blow the air through your ducts and isnt operating at full capacity. This could be caused by a blockage or some built-up dirt, but it could also just be a sign that your blower motor is nearing the end of its life.
No Airflow At All
If theres no airflow at all, then theres an issue with the blower motor thats developed to the point where it isnt working at all. While a lack of airflow can be caused by a dodgy thermostat or a problem with the fan itself, its likely a problem with the blower motor, and it will need to be replaced.
Unusually High Energy Bills
A spike in your energy bills is usually an indication that an internal HVAC component is broken. Your whole system will be straining and working harder to compensate, which in turn leads to a rise in energy bills. You should check your blower motor and see if it needs to be replaced. This is also an opportunity to replace it with a more modern and efficient component that uses less energy.
Strange Sounds
Overheating
How Can I Hire A Furnace Blower Repair Specialist
Before you hire a contractor, get repair bids from several HVAC professionals. Some companies offer free estimates. Others charge a fee for a service call to inspect and diagnose the problem. The service fee usually will be applied to the repair cost if you’re happy with the bid and ready to authorize the work.
A broken furnace motor is a pesky repair for any homeowner. Fortunately, HVAC professionals can help make the job easy. To return your furnace to its former, functioning glory, find a furnace repair specialist near you on Thumbtack.
Ac Condenser Fan Motor Replacement
Replacing an AC condenser fan motor costs$200 to $700 on average if not under warranty or $100 to $300 when under warranty. Condenser fan motors typically require replacement instead of repair. Replace a faulty condenser fan motor immediately as the compressor may fail, resulting in more costly repairs.
Ineffective Or Weak Airflow Coming From Vents
Remember our post on the blower motor for your car? One of the signs you needed a new blower motor was weak airflow. Well, the same is true for your HVAC blower motor. If you have a blower motor that is on the way out, then you may experience some weak airflow coming out of the vents. You may not even experience any airflow at all. That weak airflow may mean that your HVAC blower motor is having a difficult time sending enough air through the ducts so that your desired temperature can be achieved. There are a number of reasons why this may be the case. One reason could be lots of dirt and dust buildup. You may also have an aging motor or a faulty capacitor. Should your HVAC blower motor become dirty, or you have a non-working capacitor, your HVAC tech may be able to solve and fix the issue. But if you have a blower motor that has come to the end of its service life, then you have to replace the entire blower motor. Weak or suppressed airflow can also be the result of leaky or dirty ducts. There is a slight chance that you may also have a clogged filter.