The fan blower motor is one of the most critical components of your furnace. It pushes warm air into the rooms of your home, allowing your house to warm evenly and efficiently. When your furnace fan blower malfunctions, you may experience uneven and inconsistent heating. You might even find yourself paying more for your monthly energy expenses, as your furnace works twice as hard to heat your home as it would be if the fan blower motor were functioning.
If you suspect that your furnace fan blower is not working correctly, here are some signs that it might be time to have your heating system inspected and repaired.
1. Strange Noises
Many erroneously believe that banging and clanging noises are a regular aspect of heating and cooling, dismissing these annoying sounds as “just the house settling.” The fact is that when your HVAC system is running efficiently, it should be barely audible, aside from the quiet sounds it makes when it powers on or off. If you hear a grinding or humming sound when your heater is running, there’s a good chance that your furnace’s motor is working overtime to power a malfunctioning fan blower.
2. A Burning or Chemical Odor
Suppose you smell something burning when you run your furnace. In that case, there’s a likely chance that the fan blower motor is overheating and melting the surrounding insulation or internal wiring. Unlike some other warning signs that might be annoying or inconvenient, this can be a sign of a potential fire hazard. If you ever smell something burning when running your heating or air conditioning system, it’s wise to power your system down and reach out to a professional.
3. Short Cycling
Short cycling is an issue that can affect both your furnace and your air conditioning system. Short cycling refers to when your system randomly turns itself on and off, irrespective of how you’ve programmed your thermostat. While many problems within your HVAC system can cause short cycling, it can be a sign that the fan blower motor might not work correctly.
4. Weak Airflow
This is one of the most obvious signs of an issue with the fan blower motor. If you place your hand in front of the vent and feel that the airflow is relatively weak, the likely culprit is that the fan isn’t effectively pushing the air into your home.
5. Some Areas Are Warmer Than Others
One of the purposes of your furnace’s fan is to distribute warm air evenly throughout your home. When the fan isn’t working efficiently, that warm air trickles out gradually instead of being robustly pushed through your ventilation system. As warm air rises, you might find that the upstairs area of your home is warmer than the downstairs area. This inconsistent warming can be a strong sign that the furnace’s fan blower motor needs to be replaced.
6. Furnace Lags Behind Thermostat
When your furnace is working correctly, the time between setting your thermostat and your system kicking into gear should be a matter of seconds. If you turn your heat up and the furnace takes minutes to spring into action, that could be a sign that the fan needs to be repaired or replaced.
Lubbock’s Local Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing Contractor
The last thing you want during those cold winter months in Lubbock, TX, is a furnace that isn’t functioning correctly. For the comfort of you and your family, it’s essential to contact an HVAC professional quickly if you suspect that there might be an issue with your furnace. Even if everything seems to be in working order, it’s always a good idea to have your furnace maintained and inspected before the beginning of winter.
Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation services, the professionals at Action Air Plumbing and Septic can help. This includes heat pumps and ductless ACs. We also service AC and improve indoor air quality with humidifiers and air purifiers. We also offer plumbing services, including drain cleaning, water heaters, sewer line repair, and much more. Call us today to learn more about how we can ensure your heating and cooling system remains in pristine working order.
