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Imagine it feels so chilly indoors that your fingers and toes turn numb as your dry skin tightens. You keep turning up the thermostat, but as you become desperate for warmth, you grab a blanket and sit by your radiator or air vent like it’s a campfire. You may wonder why the furnace isn’t coming on, but maybe the real question is, “Why is my furnace blower not working?”
Not only are Jackson winters cold, but temperatures dip below freezing from December to March, and when they do, the last thing you want is for the above situation to become a reality. Not only do loved ones become sick, but according to the Cleveland Clinic, hypothermia can set in within ten to 15 minutes in low temperatures. So, protect your household’s health and safety with a repair.
Below, Casper Friendly Services, the #1 HVAC company in Jackson, NJ, explains when your furnace issue could result from a faulty blower. Our specialized five-star team also breaks down what causes the blower not to work and how we remedy the situation so you can regain household comfort and convenience.
Why Is Your Blower Motor Essential to Your Furnace?
Your heating system burns propane or natural gas (or charged particles move through metal wires in an electric heater) to generate heat that passes from the burner to the heat exchanger. After the chamber warms up, the ductwork sends indoor air through to heat it. Once the air reaches a certain temperature, the furnace blower motor powers the fan, which forces the air into the supply ducts.
These ducts attach to the supply vents in your walls and ceiling, allowing warm air to circulate evenly throughout your home.
Types of Blowers
You may have one of two blowers. A single-speed motor runs at a predetermined speed without variation and stops running only when the furnace has reached the thermostat setting and no longer needs to produce heat.
A variable-speed blower doesn’t overexert itself, running at high speeds for short periods like the former. Instead, it has multiple lower speed settings that it toggles between, depending on how much air your furnace demands. So the warmer the day, the slower it runs. This process creates a uniform house climate without cold spots, which increases energy efficiency and lowers monthly utility costs.
What Happens If the Blower Stops Functioning?
But what happens if the warm air isn’t reaching your ductwork? Since your blower is in charge of air circulation (which you need to move air in and out of the furnace for successful combustion and heat transfer), a broken motor means the fan won’t send air into the supply or return ducts. In other words, air won’t go in for heating, nor will it heat and rerelease into your surroundings.
Therefore, the first sign people usually notice with their furnace blower not working is their space not warming up. Even if your vents still show signs of airflow, minimal circulation indicates severe wear to the motor or blower fan, causing it to start and stop frequently or run unusually slow.
Imperfections in these components also cause improper air distribution, so some rooms may not receive as much warm air. That is especially true for rooms furthest away from the heating system since it takes more force and pressure for air to travel longer distances, and if the blower system doesn’t have that ability, it won’t get the job done.
Still, the uncomfortable cold is just one of the numerous symptoms of a faulty blower system. Other signs include:
- Unusual noises: Blower motors and fans vibrate when they function. This causes bearings to wear and parts to loosen, causing rattling or banging sounds as internal components shift. Grinding or squealing noise also arises as debris sticks between parts.
- Foul smells: Frayed wires or an overheating motor develop a burning or smoke smell that needs immediate repairs.
- Inconsistent cycling: If your blower motor is malfunctioning, it may work long enough to draw cool air in but then stop, leaving the warm air in the chamber. Not only does this leave your vents with sporadic bursts of heat, but it overheats your system, which causes premature shutdowns and short cycling.
The Top Five Causes of a Blower System Malfunction
Now that you know what to look for when determining whether your furnace blower not working is the issue, let’s uncover the culprits.
1. Dirty Air Filters That Bar Airflow and Increase Contamination
Like air conditioners, furnaces have air filters that cleanse the air passing in and out of your system of hair, pet dander, and other particles. However, the more debris it traps and locks in, the more buildup there is on the meshy surface. If you don’t change the filters seasonally (or even monthly, depending on the air quality in your home), the contaminants bar optimal airflow, which reduces circulation in the unit.
After combustion, the blower motor has to work harder to pull air into the heat exchanger and redistribute it into the supply ducts. Therefore, it has to work harder and longer to supply the furnace’s air demand, causing the motor to overheat and shut down prematurely. It also causes excessive wear and tear on the motor and fan, which paves the way for more repairs and replacements down the line.
The filter debris also detaches from the surface and floats into the furnace. If it lands between the moving parts, like the fan blades and blower motor, it suffocates these parts, keeping them from functioning. That also leads to short cycling, so clean or change your air filters regularly.
2. A Faulty Capacitor That Doesn’t Power the Motor
Like other HVAC equipment and devices that use electricity, furnaces have a capacitor that regulates current flow to the blower motor. The small component stores an electrical charge and only releases it when the furnace starts up so it can power the motor, which, in turn, works the fan. Without it, the energy flow may either be too little, causing the unit to strain, or too high, resulting in burnout.
But how can you tell the faulty capacitor is the reason behind a furnace blower not working? Aside from a noisier motor, or one that refuses to turn on at all, the capacitor leaks or bulges. That indicates the blower motor is straining under pressure or the capacitor’s ten-to-20-year lifespan is nearing its end.
3. A Broken Motor
Sometimes, the furnace blower not working is the fault of the motor itself, such as when it has diminished power. However, before assuming the motor’s broken, check that the furnace switch is on and the unit is receiving power.
If on hand, you should also use a multimeter to check if the motor is receiving current by touching the red and black probes to the motor’s incoming power wires. If it detects voltage, then the issue is with the motor, not the power supply. Blower motors, whether reaching their lifespan’s end or prematurely deteriorating, experience wear and tear that can cause this issue, so call an expert for a replacement.
4. A Malfunctioning Thermostat
Although a capacitor is in charge of turning on the motor, the thermostat is what signals the furnace to power on and off. It continuously monitors your indoor temperature, and if the temperature drops below your thermostat setting, this device tells the furnace to begin a heating cycle. However, false readings tell the blower to turn on and off when it shouldn’t, causing long and short cycling and quick deterioration.
Thermostat malfunctions usually indicate they need a battery change, so consider doing so before calling a technician. However, if the malfunction continues to impact the performance of your motor, it may need professional recalibrating. An expert may also check the wiring connection and control board, conducting minor repairs and adjustments if necessary.
5. Improper Maintenance
The best thing you can do for your furnace is to schedule semi-annual professional maintenance. While you can clean air filters and wipe down vents, you can’t stop all contaminants from entering your unit and obstructing its functions.
A technician, however, will carefully take apart your furnace to dust and wipe parts, lubricate moving components, like the motor and fan, and tighten loose parts. They go through an intricate checklist while also checking for minor issues before they turn into larger and more costly concerns later. By doing so, they extend the lifespan of not just your blower unit but your entire furnace.
The Friendliest Service Around!
At Casper Friendly Services, our team, with over 100 five-star reviews, is there for all our neighbors in Jackson, NJ, and the surrounding areas to ensure they’re safe and comfortable year-round. Whether you need us to clean the blower wheel on your fan or explain the causes of failing circuit boards or your furnace blower not working, we’re here 24/7 to help. So, call 732-759-4568 to schedule a service today!