Your blower motor is normally near the bottom of your furnace inside of the service panel.
Before you do any troubleshooting though, you should turn off your furnace as well as the circuit breaker that controls your furnace.
Below you’ll find out what your blower motor does and common problems that you may have.
Let’s get started.
What is a Blower Motor?
Your blower motor is what turns a fan, sending the warm or cold air created from your furnace or HVAC system into your home.
In simple terms, your furnace creates heat, and then the blower motor sends that hot air to heat your home.
Where is the Blower Motor?
Your furnace’s blower motor is located in a box near the bottom of your furnace, next to the air filter.
Your blower motor will have wires attached to it and look circular. Each furnace is different, but the blower motor should be in the main service panel.
Before you do any troubleshooting, turn off your furnace and even disconnect it from the circuit breaker to ensure that no electrical connections are occurring.
Common Issues With Blower Motors
Furnace runs but no air is sent through your home
If your furnace is on but you don’t feel any air coming from the vents in your home, your furnace blower motor may be the culprit.
Your blower motor is responsible for sending the hot air through your home, and if the blower fan motor isn’t working properly, then hot air will not be able to move through the ductwork and into your rooms.
High energy bills
Your blower motor consumes a lot of energy, and if it becomes dirty, then it will struggle to keep up with heating your home.
If you notice that your energy bill is sky high this month, check if your blower motor is dirty and needs cleaning.
It may be that you need to look into a blower motor replacement if yours is near the end of its life.
Burning smell
If you smell a burner smell coming from the vents in your home when you turn on the furnace, it’s an indication that your blower motor is overheating.
If your furnace is shutting itself down to prevent overheating, you should have your furnace serviced.
Making strange noises
If you hear scraping, rattling, or screeching, your blower assembly or blower wheel may have come loose.
You should stop using your furnace immediately and diagnose the sound before continuing usage.
You don’t want to damage your furnace beyond what is already done.
Low airflow from vents
If you feel some heat coming from the vents in your home but not as much as usual, your blower motor may be on its way out.
How to Prevent Furnace Blower Motor Problems
The best way to prevent any issues with your blower motor is to have your furnace inspected annually.
This way, you’ll be notified of any problems that may be occurring with your furnace blower motor and fix them right away.
When to Call a Professional HVAC Technician?
If you hear any scraping, squealing, whistling, smell burning or your utility bills are out of control, you should call an HVAC technician.
If you don’t feel comfortable inspecting your blower housing and identifying the issue, then a certified HVAC repair technicians can help with any problem you may have.
