Blower motors are responsible for airflow control in and out of the HVAC system, and are therefore responsible for delivering the cooled air into the room. When the blower motor is faulty, it can cause the air conditioner to be essentially non-functional as the unit cannot push cool air into the room.
Diagnosing a Faulty Blower Motor
#1 Loud Noises
Hearing sounds of helicopters, clunking materials, or loud, whirring from your air conditioner? That may indicate a problem with your blower motors! When the blower motor gets damaged, it often emits loud operational sounds as the motor struggles to operate properly.
#2 Overheating Air Conditioner
A bad blower motor can cause the air conditioner to overheat as the hot or cold air is kept inside the unit. Air cannot properly flow in and out of the air conditioner, causing the unit to overheat. This is most common with furnace blower motors, but can also happen with air conditioner blower motors.
#3 AC Unit Not Blowing Air
A faulty HVAC blower motor cannot move air out of the unit, especially when there's a problem with the blower capacitor. The capacitor is responsible for jolting the blower motor to start up, and a failed motor cannot function well. Thus, you may notice the HVAC system not blowing air.
How to Replace an AC Blower Motor
An HVAC blower motor replacement can be done at home without the expertise of a licensed technician - as long as you have basic knowledge of the air conditioner and its parts. Fixing blower motors at home can save up on the blower motor replacement cost, but professional work is still highly recommended to ensure safety and proper installation.
Step 1: Shut Off the Air Conditioner
The first step is to shut off the air conditioner, and unplug the unit from its power source. This will prevent accidents with the air conditioner blower motor as you're working to replace it. Always wear protective gear when working with air conditioner parts as well.
Step 2: Open the Blower Motor Housing
Locate the blower motor in your unit. This is often located in the interior unit, while the condenser fan motor is located in the outdoor unit. Refer to your user's manual to guide you through opening the blower motor housing, where you should be able to see the motor, and the wires connected to it.
Step 3: Remove the Old Blower Motor
Unlink the blower motor from the rest of the air conditioner, and label the wires properly to have a reference guide later on. It may be helpful to take photos of the wiring to refer back to them when you're installing the blower motor replacement unit.
Step 4: Secure the New Blower Motor
Place the new motor into the unit. The new motor should be the same blower motor model and type as the old one in order to function properly. An experienced HVAC technician should be able to scout for a proper blower motor replacement unit for you, as well as quote you on a blower motor replacement cost.
Refer back to the wiring guide you jotted down earlier, and properly secure the wiring of the blower motor accordingly. Make sure all the connections are linked correctly, and that the blower motor replacement unit is bolted down to avoid clunking around when it moves.
Step 5: Turn the Air Conditioner On, and Test the AC Blower Motor
The last step is to plug in the air conditioner, and power it on. Test to see whether the blower motor has been installed properly. A good blower motor installation should keep the air conditioning unit working properly: the cool air should be flowing into the room, the unit should be operating silently, and the warm air is being delivered out of the unit.
HVAC Blower Motor Replacement Cost
How much does a blower motor replacement cost? That depends on the type of blower motors, and the complexity of labor cost. For instance, variable speed motors may cost upwards of $600, even going as high as $1500 for the blower motor alone. The cost to replace a furnace blower, one the other hand, averages $450.
The replacement cost for a blower motor can be broken down to the blower motor price, and the labor costs. Single-speed motors cost between $300 to $900 on average, while labor is around $200 to $400 on average, totalling around $500 to over $1000 for standard blower motor repair and replacement.
Where to Buy an Air Conditioner Blower Motor?
#1 Official Stores
The best place to purchase a blower motor - whether it's variable speed motors, single-speed motors, or a furnace blower motor - is the official store where you purchased your air conditioner.
Most brands of AC units offer replacement parts, which are original and often come with warranties. If your unit is still under warranty, going to the brand's official store is your best bet in reducing the blower motor replacement cost.
#2 Air Conditioner Repair Shops
Alternatively, air conditioner repair shops have convenient and affordable rates that lower the cost to replace blower motors as well. Luce Aircon has decades of expertise in all brands and models of air conditioners popular across Singapore, so you can be sure our technicians will be able to handle your unit.
We'll scout for proper replacement motors, and repair your unit for you so you can enjoy a cooling comfort! Give us a call today, and we can schedule you in at your most convenient time.
