How To Properly Maintain For Your Furnace Motor To Keep Warm All Winter Long
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During the harsh winters, your home’s furnace creates an idyllic escape from the cold weather and allows your family to relax in comfort. However, when things go wrong with your furnace, you must fix the appliance quickly to keep the cold at bay. While many things can go wrong with a furnace, the motor tends to suffer the most malfunctions and breakdowns. What is it about the furnace motor that makes it such an integral aspect of the HVAC system?
A Look At Furnace Motors
Furnace motors, or blower motors, are the heart of a home or office’s HVAC system. Two kinds of furnace motors can be installed into a system – direct drive motor or belt drive motor. When properly maintained, these highly efficient motors have a lifespan of about 20 years. And, regardless of what motor you have, it will be attached to a blower. What is the difference between these motors?
– Direct Drive Motors – This motor type will connect to the blower wheel, ensuring air circulates throughout the system. Residential homes tend to use direct-drive motors.
– Belt Drive Motors – This motor type connects a fan pulley to a belt. Commercial and industrial buildings are often installed with belt drive motors.
3 Reasons A Furnace Motor Stops Working
It’s crucial that your home’s furnace is properly maintained annually. If your home is susceptible to dust build-up, it would be wise to clean the furnace before the start of every cold season. Besides excess moisture and overheating, there are three major reasons a motor in the furnace quits working. They are:
Dirty Filters – A filter is designed to catch contaminants, such as pet dander, dust and dirt, floating in the air. When the filter is working correctly, the motor won’t become clogged. When it’s not, the motor can become clogged, leading to the motor overheating. When a motor is constantly overheating, it will eventually break down. Special note: Washing a filter will only do more harm than good, so avoid doing so.
Dirty Ducts – Your HVAC system is more than just a furnace; it’s also got air conditioning and ventilation parts. When dander, dust and dirt fill the ducts, it can affect the overall system. Make sure to call in a professional duct cleaning service to clear them out.
Dripping Water – Your furnace motor is susceptible to water dripping – no matter where this water is coming from. Make sure to repair water leaks as soon as you notice them.
What Can You Do To Avoid Costly Furnace Motor Repairs
Give Your Furnace Motor A Break
No matter what kind of machine you are constantly using, the motor is running continuously. Without a break, the stress on the smaller mechanical parts – wire, bolts and bearings – will eventually deteriorate and break. It’s imperative to give the system a break from time to time. You can do this by ensuring the thermostat is set to Auto (not On) so it shuts off when it reaches the temperature you have set.
Replace The Filter
When it gets colder, it’s not uncommon for a homeowner to set the HVAC furnace system to run every day. As such, it’s not a bad idea to change the filter out once a month. The filter can be changed less often (every three months) when it’s warmer.
Clean The Ducts
There are so many contaminants that can become lodged in the ducts. And, no matter how hard you try to minimize them, the ducts will become dirty and could damage the furnace system. Be sure to clean the ducts annually to reduce this possibility.
Regular Inspections
Hire a professional furnace inspector to look over your home’s system. This person should advise you on the minor issues and correction steps to avoid costly major repairs. The goal is to eliminate the chance of breakdowns and other malfunctions.
