Now that winter is almost here, and you don’t want to find out that your Bryant furnace isn’t properly running in the middle of the night. Several factors affect the furnace’s proper functioning, from minor issues with effortless solutions to severe problems like a component going defective and requiring replacement.
The blower motor is an essential component of the furnace, and it may profoundly impact the comfort level and air quality in your household. Keep reading for the details.
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How to define the blower motor?
The blower motor is a component of your Bryant furnace, blowing heated air through the vents inside your house. It collects fresh air and circulates throughout the indoor space until the thermostat’s set temperature is obtained. It spins a fan, which makes the air circulate through the ducts and vents inside your house. Keep in mind that the blower motor doesn’t have to be large to move a lot of heated air.
There are two main categories of blower motor: the single-speed blower motor and the adjustable speed blower motor. The single-speed engine uses just one speed and full capacity while running, turning on and off according to the thermostat’s instructions.
The variable-speed motor can operate at lower/higher speeds, generating a more even temperature throughout the household and ensuring superior energy efficiency.
What makes the blower motor not to run?
The first thing to do when you notice that the blower motor isn’t running is to see if the motor receives power. When power gets to the blower motor, but the engine isn’t running, the motor is burned out. Needless to say, you will have to replace the blower motor once it is burned out.
Should the blower motor hum, you need to see if the blower fan is spinning effortlessly. Replacing the blower motor will be necessary if the blower fan isn’t blocked and doesn’t spin freely.
Here are other common causes for blower motor not to run:
Capacitor
When the capacitor is faulty, you will notice as the fan motor becomes noisy. The furnace will overheat and may not operate at all. It’s necessary to take a look at the capacitor if you notice any of the signs above.
A capacitor that is leaking or bulging will require replacing. You can also use a meter to check the capacitor and decide if it has become defective or not.
You will need to look for the proper furnace capacitor when looking to replace it.
Control board
The control board typically monitors the power supply to every element of the furnace. When the control board becomes faulty, it will not send voltage to any components, the blower motor included. You don’t just go ahead and buy the first control board you see online. You will also have to select the proper model.
Incoming power issue
Always make sure that your furnace receives power. When the furnace doesn’t get power, it makes sense that the blower motor doesn’t run either. Take a look at the circuit breaker or fuse to find out the cause.
Should you look for Bryant furnace blower motor replacement?
You don’t always have to replace the blower motor, but some situations will signal that replacement is the only solution for your furnace’s malfunctioning.
The blower motor is sensitive to mechanical failures as it takes intensive wear. Should your furnace be old, the blower motor will also show signs of wear. Even if repairing wins you some time, you will still have to replace the blower motor sooner or later. Instead of searching high and low for an experienced HVAC technician to fix the blower motor, you should use that money for a new blower motor altogether. Here are the signs that you need a new blower motor
There’s no airflow
When you don’t feel any airflow from the vents, the blower motor problems could be so severe that repairs are useless. Make sure to eliminate all other possible causes for no airflow. Fan control issues, bad battery or relay, and even a defective thermostat could also cause no airflow. It’s best to hire a technician before buying the new blower motor.
The airflow is weak
It’s probably the first sign that the blower motor is defective and may require replacement. When the vents’ airflow is weak, the blower motor struggles to push air through the ducts to reach the set temperature. Dirt and dust buildup, aging engine, the lousy capacitor can cause a weak airflow.
Should the blower motor be at the end of service life, it’s just old, and you should replace it. A clogged filter, leaky or dirty ducts can also reduce the airflow, eliminating all possible causes before placing your order.
Weird noises
Weird sounds coming out of the HVAC systems could highlight an issue with the blower motor. Some problems generate strange sounds, and repairs can fix it; sometimes, replacement is the only solution.
Screeching and squealing sounds signal that the belt is damaged or that bearing issues have developed. You may replace the belt or lubricate the bearings to solve the problem.
Clanking, banging, or rattling noises inform that a part has gotten loose, whereas loud banging noises warn that something is damaged or disconnected. You may have to replace the blower motor.
No matter which weird noise you notice on your blower motor all of a sudden, it’s wise to turn off the furnace and call a technician. Even if misalignment or loose/damaged belts aren’t severe problems, they may still damage the blower motor and the elements around when not addressed in time. Only the technician will decide if repair or replacement will solve the issue.
Overheating
The blower heater may overheat for several reasons. Grime and dirt may collect around the motor, affecting ventilation and causing overheating. It’s better that you hire a technician to service the blower motor.
When the blower motor is old and worn out, it’s going to have to work harder for running the furnace. A new blower motor is the only solution.
A blower motor that overheats will be quite obvious. Burning smell coming out of the vents, and total system shut down don’t go unnoticed. A furnace with an overheating blower motor will turn off automatically to reduce the risk of damage and electrical issues.
High energy bills
The blower motor is the part of the HVAC system that utilizes the most energy to increase the utility bills. A dirty, aging and defective motor will work harder for circulating the heated air inside the house, which increases energy consumption. If the blower motor is a single-speed model, it’s time to switch to an adjustable-speed model. This type of engine will adjust the energy usage to current needs inside the house, decreasing the energy utilized for running the system.
Before you go away
When you know that you have to replace the blower motor on your Bryant furnace, you should contact the HVAC professionals to select the best replacement model. Some models are cost-efficient and run with various settings, but proper wiring is necessary. The type of drive, rotation direction, voltage, horsepower, and size of the capacitor are things to consider when selecting the furnace’s blower meter.
The replacement blower motor doesn’t come cheap, and it’s essential for heating the air inside your house. Please don’t go cheap when picking the blower motor and play it safe with the replacement’s professional installation.
