September 16, 2019

If y'all're like almost homeowners, yous probably don't sympathise the inner workings of your air conditioner. Nor do you wish to. All you care about is that it continues to produce that refreshing cold air y'all rely on to keep your Las Vegas habitation cool.

If, however, you're mechanically-inclined and interested in learning some basics almost how an Air conditioning functions, and then proceed reading. We're going to hash out an important office of your AC unit — the fan motor. Without a operation fan or furnace blower motor, your Air conditioning is rendered useless. This could besides mean that you lot demand a furnace repair or start looking at blower motor replacement price. Y'all'll either suffer no air or weak airflow.

Here'due south what you need to know virtually an AC fan motor, what signs to look out for that indicate a faulty motor, and how to avert it from going bad sooner than it should.

What is an AC Fan Motor?

The fan motor is a fairly uncomplicated yet vital part of an air conditioner. It'south the part of the unit that pumps air through the system. Without that apportionment of air, your Ac won't cool your home.

Because the fan motor is one of the hardest working parts on an air conditioner, it is subjected to a lot of wear and tear that tin lead to frequent repairs or replacement. And the cost tin can add up when you kickoff thinking virtually cost to replace including labor cost. One time the fan motor breaks downwards, the Ac volition stop blowing common cold air and that'south something you don't want on a hot summertime's solar day.

5 Signs That Indicate a Failing Air conditioning Fan Motor

When your air conditioner suddenly breaks down, it'southward difficult to know where to start in identifying the problem. Hither are five signs that tell you that you're dealing with a failing AC fan motor.

1. The fan won't start fifty-fifty though the Air-conditioning is on

When the fan doesn't offset even though the AC is turned on, it can be a clear sign that there's a mistake with the motor. When the AC runs without the fan circulating air, it can eventually atomic number 82 to the evaporator coils freezing over. Once this happens, your air-conditioning unit is at risk of suffering more serious damage. Turn the Air conditioning off and phone call an HVAC technician.

two. The fan continues to run, even when shutting off the Air conditioning

The contrary problem can also occur, i.e. the fan continues to run even later on switching off the air conditioner. This tin can be a sign of a bad blower motor resistor. In some cases, this is caused past a malfunctioning thermostat. Replacing the thermostat will have it up and running once again.

If the thermostat isn't the upshot, the nearly likely problem is a stuck relay switch. Relays are what open and shut the electrical excursion in an air conditioner. When a relay becomes stuck, the circuit remains closed. As a result, electrical power to the fan motor doesn't cease and the fan continues to run.

3. The fan is on only rotating very slowly

As frustrating is a fan that is working merely the blades are rotating very slowly. A slow-turning fan will generate weak airflow. If your Air conditioning offers different fan settings, check if it is fix at low speed. If that isn't the example, it could mean the motor bearings need to be oiled or that the capacitor is failing.

4. The fan runs intermittently

When the fan runs intermittently, information technology could be one of ii problems. The motor could exist overheating which causes information technology to cutting out. Alternatively, a loose wire or connexion or a short in the motor windings could exist the culprit.

Any electrical-related faults should only be addressed by a professional person. Never attempt to work on a fan motor when y'all suspect an electrical issue. This can exist unsafe and is a job all-time left to a trained HVAC technician or electrician.

five. At that place's a rattling or buzzing dissonance coming from the condenser unit of measurement when the fan is turned on

At that place is more than one possible cause for a noisy air conditioner. If you hear a loud rattling noise, it could exist a minor result similar loose stones or debris that's caught in the condensing unit. A rattling dissonance can besides exist acquired by loose or unbalanced fan blades hitting the side of the fan housing unit of measurement.

If yous don't see annihilation stuck in the condensing unit of measurement and the fan blades are turning freely and smoothly, so the likely crusade is the fan motor. If you hear a buzzing audio, it's another sign that the motor is reaching the end of its life.

Steps You Can Take To Identify a Problem With The AC Fan

If the AC fan motor is bad or the capacitor is faulty, y'all should always contact an good HVAC technician to repair or replace parts. However, there are some preliminary steps y'all tin can take to rule out other possible causes for your Air conditioning not working and confirm that the problem is, indeed, with the Ac fan motor.

Check for a tripped excursion billow

Sometimes the reason an air conditioner is not working is equally simple as a tripped breaker. The starting time step is to bank check the circuit billow. When the AC goes on the blink, a tripped circuit breaker isn't the first thing that comes to heed for most people, yet it is a surprisingly common reason for an AC not starting.

Bank check the air filter

When was the final fourth dimension y'all replaced the AC unit'due south air filter? Many homeowners neglect this basic maintenance chore. A clogged air filter reduces airflow. If the air filter is chock-full, replacing it with a new one should go the air flowing freely and strongly again.

Check the outdoor unit of measurement

If you lot've ruled out the above issues, it's time to head outside to the condensing unit of measurement. If your AC has stopped bravado air, has weak airflow, or you lot hear unusual noises, do a quick inspection of the fan motor. The motor is located in the condenser unit of measurement. Listen for a humming sound that tells you the Ac compressor is functioning.

Next, wait through the vents at the top of the unit to see the fan. Are the fan blades turning? If the compressor is working but the fan blades are not spinning, the motor is faulty. That's your cue to turn the organization off and call the pros to repair the Air-conditioning fan motor.

What Your HVAC Technician Volition Exercise

Replacing an HVAC motor is a job that tin can be done speedily once the problem is identified. With the information you have provided, the HVAC technician will have the post-obit steps to confirm the problem.

Conduct a Visual Inspection

A trained technician tin can quickly spot sure problems on a visual inspection of the condenser unit. For instance, after a long winter, especially a rainy 1, moisture or rust can build upward in the fan unit preventing the blades from turning.

Check the Condenser Unit'southward Temperature

Condenser fan motors all take a temperature stipulated by the AC manufacturer at which it can operate safely and trouble-free. In nigh cases, the ideal temperature is effectually 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are near the condenser unit and it feels hotter than usual, it indicates that the fan motor may be overheating. HVAC technicians are equipped with an infrared temperature gun that can read the unit'due south temperature without having to touch on the hot surface.

Attempt to Manually Kick-outset The Motor

During winter your AC lies fallow. This inactivity can lead to a build-upwardly of dirt or rust that makes information technology difficult for the fan blades to start rotating again when you switch on the Ac at the start of summertime. The technician may try to manually kickstart information technology.

Check The Capacitor

The start capacitor is a cylindrical component that supplies the electrical charge that starts the condenser fan motor. Information technology plays a vital function in starting up your AC. Without that heave of power, the fan motor is unable to beginning. That's why when the capacitor stops working, then as well does the air conditioner.

Never try to remove or set up the capacitor yourself. If the AC is still switched on, the electricity that runs through the capacitor can result in a serious electric shock, injury, or even death. Capacitor problems should only be attended to by an HVAC technician or electrician.

Inspect the Electrical Wiring

If none of these are the problem, the technician will check the condition of the electric wiring and the windings to see if it is open or has a brusk. If switching on the AC frequently causes the circuit breaker to trip, information technology'south likely due to a short in the windings.

The technician will practise a resistance check past measuring the ohms. If the resistance is zero, it means there'southward a short. If in that location is an infinite reading, information technology ways in that location's an open winding. In both cases, the motor will need replacing.

How To Prolong The Life of Your Ac's Fan Motor

Every bit mentioned previously, the fan motor is one of the hardest working components in your air conditioner and vesture and tear will eventually take its toll. However, y'all can forbid information technology from burning out sooner than intended with regular HVAC maintenance.

One mutual reason an AC fan motor burns out is due to dirt building up around the fan motor. Dirt tin can pitter-patter into the holes of the motor, causing more friction for the inner workings which stresses the motor and causes overheating. Regular dusting in and effectually the motor pigsty can prevent this. This like shooting fish in a barrel maintenance job helps prolong the lifespan of the fan motor and can prevent more serious AC issues.

If you're non the almost diligent person when it comes to HVAC maintenance, then the best mode to ensure regular maintenance is to sign upwards for a maintenance plan with your HVAC company. They will check on things like compressors, fan motors, and furnace motors for you.

Most maintenance plans include biannual HVAC tune-ups. As role of a routine maintenance visit the technician volition audit the condenser unit, clear abroad whatever dirt or leaves that have accumulated on or effectually the unit of measurement, check the fan and, if necessary, clean the fan motor and oil the bearings.

Who To Telephone call In Las Vegas When Your Ac Needs Repairs

Being without air conditioning during summertime is never pleasant. If your air conditioner needs repairs and you live in Downtown Las Vegas or whatsoever of the surrounding areas including Henderson, Paradise, and North Las Vegas, telephone call The Cooling Company at (702) 567-0707. Our trained technicians volition have your Ac upwardly and running over again in no time.

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