As the name suggests, the furnace blower blows conditioned air from the furnace into your space. Therefore, if the furnace blower fails, you may notice a sudden decrease in warm air circulating in your room. Unfortunately, a faulty blower also makes your heating system susceptible to other issues. Read on to learn more about a faulty furnace blower and the signs and causes of failure.
What Are Signs of Furnace Blower Failure?
A faulty blower may manifest as different furnace problems.
Decreased Air Flow
Since the blower’s work is to blow air, a weak airflow is the most obvious sign that the component is not doing its job as it should. Perhaps the blower is overheating or has come to the end of its lifespan. It could also be that the blower has moisture accumulation that hinders the blower from blowing warm air around your room.
High Energy Bills
If the blower cannot circulate air efficiently, the furnace must work harder to meet your temperature needs. For example, if the blower is clogged with dirt, the heating system has to work harder to get past the dirt and allow conditioned air through the blowers. In the same way, if the blower is worn out, perhaps due to age or lack of maintenance, the furnace must put in more work to ensure an even air circulation.
Odd Sounds
Grinding, squealing, or screeching sounds may signify a broken furnace blower. The sounds primarily result from bearing or blower belt problems. The noises may also signify a broken component. All these problems are easily repairable if you catch them early.
However, if you hear a loud banging noise, the noise may signify a broken blower motor, necessitating a blower replacement. Whichever the case, let a professional HVAC technician inspect the blower to establish the extent of the damage and the best solution.
Odd Smell
Sometimes a blower failure results from overheating. When the component overheats, you will likely notice an odd smell, like something is burning. Besides the smell, an overheating blower may cause your system to turn on and off frequently. This issue may cause electrical damage, so you should immediately contact a technician for diagnosis and repairs.
What Are Risk Factors of Furnace Blower Problems
Now that you understand the signs of a blower failure, understand other problems that may cause your furnace blower not to work efficiently.
Power Issues
If the fuse blows or the power cord melts, the furnace won’t get the power supply to turn on. So, check if the wiring is in a good state before you move to the next possible culprit.
You may unplug and then plug the fan back in. If this step does not resolve your problem, a blown fuse is the most likely cause.
Thermostat Issues
Incorrect temperature settings may cause the furnace blower to misbehave. For instance, if the thermostat is broken or automatically turns off due to an incorrect setting, your blower will also turn off. Ensure the thermostat setting is on and the component is working optimally.
Filter Problems
The furnace requires a constant air flow to operate correctly. The filters ensure that the heating system gets sufficient air supply, which is then conditioned and blown to your space by the blower.
If the filters are dirty or broken, the blower will not get adequate air to blow. So, don’t automatically assume that the blower is faulty if you don’t get a warm air supply. Sometimes the problem could emanate from other components, such as the filters.
Furnace blower failure results in an uncomfortable living environment, high energy bills, and further damage to your furnace. Contact us at Jennings Heating and Cooling for timely inspections and repairs to avoid such mishaps. We understand the ins and outs of a heating system, so you can trust our technicians for quality services.
