During the winter lull of intense Louisiana heat, it’s a great time to repair your HVAC system. As you may be turning your AC system on and off to keep up with the changing weather, have you noticed a delay in the star-up of your AC fan motor? Or it does it not turn on at all?
Air Conditioner fan motors run the blades that push cooled air through your home or office. There are a few signs to keep in mind regarding the health of your AC fan motor. Before the spring rolls in, get your HVAC system serviced by the experts.
Expert Air has put our customers’ comfort first for over ten years, no matter the season! Our knowledgeable staff goes above and beyond, providing speedy responses and unmatched service. If your home or business needs a new AC fan motor, call Expert Air at Northshore, 985-773-9776, or at Southshore, 504-756-4275, so we can restore your HVAC system.
What Is an AC Fan Motor?
The AC fan motor is responsible for spinning the fan blade inside the unit, which draws air into the evaporator coils and pushes it out through the ductwork. Without a functioning fan motor, your air conditioner will not be able to cool your space effectively. That can be a real problem when the heat returns.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your AC Fan Motor
1. The Cooling Fan Doesn’t Turn On
One of the most apparent signs of an issue with your AC fan motor is if the cooling fan won’t turn on. This could be due to a problem with the wiring or a faulty motor. If your wiring is outdated or damaged, it can impact the power supply to the fan motor, resulting in it not turning on. It’s important to check all the wiring throughout your HVAC system before investing in a new fan motor. If any issues are found, they should be fixed before purchasing a new one, as this will help ensure that the same issue doesn’t occur again in the future.
Expert Air can regularly service your AC unit, so it doesn’t get to this condition.
2. Blades Run Slowly
If you notice that the blades on your AC fan motor are running slower than usual, this could indicate that the motor is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. These parts wear out over time and stop functioning properly; in some cases, that means not turning on. Debris accumulation can get lodged inside the blades, preventing them from spinning correctly. Cleaning out debris accumulation should be done regularly to help prevent malfunctions like this from occurring in the first place.
Slow-running blades can result in weak airflow, which will make it difficult for your unit to effectively cool down the space.
3. Rattling Sound
The most common cause of rattling sounds in an AC fan motor is a faulty or damaged fan motor. Over time, bearings inside the fan motor can wear out, resulting in a vibration that creates noise when running. This noise could worsen over time as the bearings become more worn, eventually leading to the complete failure of the fan motor. In some cases, you may also notice signs of overheating around the fan motor area due to excessive friction caused by worn bearings.
Another possible cause for rattling noises is when parts within the AC system come loose due to normal wear and tear or improper installation. This can result in items such as screws or bolts becoming dislodged and rattling inside the system whenever it’s running.
Save your HVAC professional’s number for incidences like these. Exert Air is always ready to come help and fix your AC system.
4. Weak Airflow
If you notice that there isn’t enough cool air coming out of your vents or that some rooms are not as cool as others, this could also be caused by a malfunctioning fan motor. Weak airflow can prevent proper circulation of cool air throughout the space and lead to inefficient cooling overall.
5. High Energy Bills
A faulty fan motor can cause energy bills to skyrocket since it has to work harder in order to move air through the space properly and efficiently cool things down. If you suddenly see a spike in energy costs without any other major changes in usage habits, replacing the fan motor might help alleviate those high costs.
6 Overheating
The most common cause of overheating in an AC fan motor is a lack of lubrication. The fan blades must be properly lubricated to keep them spinning efficiently. If they become dry or worn out, they will start to generate heat as they spin, leading to an overheating issue.
An overloaded circuit breaker can prevent power from reaching the unit, leading to an overload in the system and resulting in a hot motor. Additionally, wiring issues within the unit may cause it to overheat due to poor connections or loose wiring that prevents power from flowing through properly. A worn-out capacitor will cause the compressor within your unit not able to start up properly when it receives power, resulting in a significant amount of heat build-up within your system and ultimately leading to an overheating issue with your AC fan motor.
Maintain Your AC System’s Health
Schedule annual inspections to ensure that your AC fan motor is working to its best ability. A typical annual inspection includes the following:
- checking the system operating pressures
- inspecting all wiring connections
- checking fan belts
- cleaning and tightening electrical connection points
- lubricating moving parts
- examining evaporator coils for dirt build-up
- checking the thermostat accuracy
- measuring voltage and current on motors
- checking the condensate drain and clear blockages/debris
Expert Air Can Help!
Maintain the health of your HVAC system so it can last for years. Expert Air has over a decade of experience helping South Louisiana residents stay comfortable all year round. For more information on our services, call Northshore at 985-773-9776 or Southshore at 504-756-4275, and we’ll be happy to help cool things down or heat things up!
