Blower Motor Problems? What To Know About This Common AC Repair Issue

The blower is a critical part of every air conditioning system. Without a working blower, the cold air produced in the system could not be distributed to successfully cool the home. Unfortunately, blower motor problems do not always present in the same manner, making it much harder for homeowners to determine what might be going wrong with their air conditioning system. Homeowners who are currently dealing with a possible AC repair issue can use the following information to help them determine whether the blower motor is the most likely cause. 

Noticing decreased air flow

When the amount of air coming from the vents begins to noticeably decrease, the blower motor is frequently the cause. In some instances, cleaning the blower fan assembly to remove accumulated dust and dirt may be helpful in restoring air flow but a persistent issue is more likely to be related to a developing capacitor repair issue or a worn blower motor that will need to be rebuilt or replaced. 

Hearing unusual sounds

Another indicator that repair issues are developing with the blower motor is when unusual sounds are heard when the blower is operating or when it is beginning or ending a cycle of operation. High-pitched noises, such as squealing or screeching, are often related to slippage or an increased state of wear of the fan belt. It could also be a developing issue with the bearings or other moving parts in the blower motor fan assembly. 

Other types of noise, including knocking, rattling or banging sounds may be related to an actual component failure, such as when a component has become damaged to the point that it is no longer functional at any level. For example, a broken fan belt, failed bearings or a cracked blower motor fan blade could all result in loud or erratic noises whenever the air conditioning system attempts to cycle. 

Smelling unusual odors 

Another potential indicator of a developing blower motor repair issue is when homeowners note the presence of unusual odors that seem to emanate from the furnace or the ducts connected to it. Smells that seem to indicate that a component may be overheating, such as burning or smoky smells, often occur when a blower fan component has developed wear issues that cause it to overheat during operation. 

Any issue with a blower fan should always be treated as an immediate repair need. To learn more, homeowners should reach out to a reputable AC repair service in their area without delay.