The market size of the HVAC industry is worth $143.7 billion as of 2022. It’s a lucrative market because most people have HVAC units. And with that, there are bound to be problems with it as well.
If you have an AC unit and are noticing problems, you may be noticing signs of motor problems. This could mean that you need to replace your AC motor as soon as possible.
Not sure of the signs? Read on to learn more about when you should call a professional!
1. AC Fan Doesn’t Start
If you have a bad AC fan motor, you may have problems with your AC fan starting in the first place.
While you may be able to see that depending on where your AC blower is, you may not always see that it hasn’t started.
In that case, you may learn that the fan isn’t starting by noticing that there is not any airflow coming out of the vents. If there is no airflow, that could mean that the blower motor is not operating.
However, there could also be other reasons the airflow is absent from the vent.
To know where the problem is coming from, you should call a professional to diagnose the issue for you. This way, you can get to the root cause of the issue.
2. Overheating of the Air Conditioner Fan
As a blower motor ages, it can start to overheat. This could be due to dirt and grime, but it could also be completely worn out to the point that it is working so much harder than it needs to in order to keep your home cool. When this happens, it can become strained and break down.
It could also cause much higher energy costs as well. If you start to notice this happening with your blower motor, it is best to replace it to keep it from overheating as well as save you money on your energy costs.
But how do you know if the blower motor is overheating? If you notice any of these signs, it usually means that you should have it checked out or replaced:
You smell a burning scent coming from the vents
The system shuts down unexpectedly
The AC system can shut down automatically to prevent any electrical damage or hazards. These are clear signs that you do not want to ignore.
3. Weird Sounds
Another sign that your AC motor is not working properly is if you have weird and strange sounds coming from the HVAC system. While not every weird sound points back to the AC motor, this is indicative of a problem. Some of these problems may be able to be fixed by a professional, but other problems may lead to needing a replacement of the AC motor.
So what sounds should you be looking out for? A squealing and screeching noise may mean that the blower has a damaged belt. To fix this, the belt needs to be fixed but the entire AC motor may not need to be.
However, if you notice that the motor is rattling or banging, that is probably happening because of a broken part. Something is either severely damaged or has become disconnected in the AC unit.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you do notice these strange sounds, you want to turn your AC unit off. Even if it is something disconnected or just a damaged belt, keeping it running can cause more problems. It’s best to turn it off and call a professional to determine the issue that your AC unit is facing.
4. Higher Energy Bills Than Normal
If you notice a spike in your energy bills, this is a sign that something is wrong. Your bill wouldn’t spike without a reason.
Typically, if your AC unit is working harder than usual, you are going to be using more energy. If you see a rise in your energy bills, you need to check out the system. While it may just be dirty and need a bit of maintenance, it may be getting old and worn out.
It’s best to replace a motor with a newer one to save money on your energy bills. You can even look into motors that have different speed models to save money on your energy bill since you wouldn’t be wasting energy you’re not actually using.
5. Weak Airflow From the Vents
This may be one of the first things you notice about your AC unit. If the airflow from the vents is weaker than normal, it may be due to a faulty AC motor. this basically means that the AC blower is having a hard time getting the air to circulate out of the vent.
This could be due to dirt and dust buildup, an aging motor, or a bad capacitor.
Depending on the reason for this, you may need to replace the motor.
It May Be Time to Replace Your AC Motor
These are five clear signs that it may be time to replace your AC motor. If you notice something is going wrong or has been faulty with your AC unit, you don’t want to wait for it to get worse. Not only could this be dangerous, but it will also cost you more money down the line.
Does your AC need servicing? You can reach out to us at Anton’s. We’ll take a look at your system to diagnose the problem and see what needs to be done.
