How To Tell If Your Furnace Blower Motor Is Overheating?

Generally speaking, furnaces are built to withstand even the harsh temperatures. However, just like all other equipment, there comes the time that its components fail and may require major repairs.

For furnace motors, overheating is the most common issue. This problem prevents the unit from doing its job. Find out what causes it and what you can do to reduce the chance of motor overheating.

What is the Role of the Blower Motor?

 The blower motor is located at the heart of the furnace. It is responsible for moving air throughout the furnace and into your home. It is an electrical motor that uses the blower access panel usually located on the side of the unit. As a reputable HVAC company in Washington, DC, we do not recommend you meddle with the operation of this component. The internal part of the furnace is composed of electrical connections and sharp objects that are dangerous to touch.

Signs of Overheating Blower Motor

Your blower motor may show these signs when it starts to overheat:

• A hot or burning smell as your units operate. It is usually followed by the complete furnace shut off.
• Loud humming noise and other odd sounds. These can be caused by anything that hinders the blower motor from operating. Eventually, this leads to too much heat production, overheating and loud sounds.
• Furnace cycles off or refuses to start. This may require you to ‘reset’ the furnace before it operates. Most likely, the unit shuts itself down for safety reasons, like when it notices overheating in the blower motor.

What Causes Overheating?

There are different causes of overheating, and the most common are the following:

• Dirt and Dust Build-up. When dust and dirt accumulate in the blower motor, it will be difficult for it to vent itself which can result in heat build-up.
• Component Failure. This is usually due to lack of maintenance or disrepair. Just like other equipment, you need to give the motor some TLC to prevent wearing out easily.
• Time is a big threat to any appliance, and when the blower motor is simply too old, it may need to be replaced. If it’s the case, we recommend you replace the entire furnace completely.

Furnace Service in Washington DC

Do not let your furnace stress you out in the long cold months. If you suspect an overheating blower motor or any other events that are unlikely in your unit, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Hugee Corporation. Our furnace services are highly satisfactory; you can never go wrong in choosing us.