The blower motor plays a major role in the AC system, so when it’s time for a replacement, there’s no other choice but to get it replaced. Your questions: What are you looking at in terms of replacement cost? Specifically, how much does it cost to replace an AC blower motor in Phoenix AZ? Can you put off the task for another time or will a DIY intervention fix the problem?
Unless you’re an AC repair expert, an AC blower motor replacement is not the right project to flex your DIY skills. You need to make a service call and bring in professional HVAC technicians to correctly diagnose the problem and fix it once and for all. As the component responsible for pumping air through the air conditioning system, you need your blower motor in optimum performance to ensure consistent cool air throughout your home.
Replacement cost depends on several factors like labor costs, replacement parts, and timing. To give you an idea, the price range is typically between $800 to $1800 or more. In Phoenix, replacement cost and repair cost are higher during hot summer months when demand for HVAC services far exceeds the available labor supply.
That said, a blower motor repair is not something to put off until a better time. There’s never a good time for such a repair service unless you’re willing to pay the price because blower motors are that important to air conditioners and furnaces. Without your air conditioner and furnace blower motor, your HVAC system is basically rendered useless.
What is a blower fan motor?
Contrary to what many homeowners believe, air conditioners do not create cool air. Neither does a furnace create warm air. The Joule-Thomson effect, in fact, makes the HVAC system work, and a big part of the process is done by the air conditioner and furnace fan motor (there’s one motor for both AC and the furnace, not two).
With the help of the blower wheel, sometimes called a squirrel cage, the blower motor turns the fan blades so that air moves to the evaporator coil and through the rest of the air conditioning system. It removes warm air from inside the house and blows cool air through the vents to give you quality indoor air. Without the blower motor, your air conditioner is basically useless as air cannot efficiently move in the air conditioning system.
There are different types of AC blower motors, each type with different pros and cons although most AC technicians agree that the newer model is more cost-effective than the other.
Single-speed Motor
An older model AC unit usually has a single-speed air handler that turns on and off. Without a speed adjustment feature, the moment the air handler is switched on, it runs on full output. This means your AC unit consumes maximum energy that leads to high utility bills.
Variable Speed Motor
A variable-speed blower motor gives you efficiency and the flexibility to change speeds and control the air that flows through your heat pump, furnace, or air conditioner, making it the more ideal model.
Imagine leaving your house for work and switching off the air handler versus switching it to a slower speed so the house stays cool when you get home. The variable-speed motor is not only convenient, but it is also energy-efficient. As you adjust the speed of the motor, you effectively control energy consumption too.
Expert Tip
Before replacing your faulty single-speed blower motor, talk to one of our HVAC technicians and we will help you determine the best model suitable for your home. Part of Air Care Cooling & Heating LLC‘s service commitment is to give homeowners professional recommendations to help them make educated and cost-effective decisions. It’s not enough that we solve an immediate problem. Instead, we find ways to provide long-term solutions to help extend the lifespan of your AC, furnace, or heat pump and make it worth your investment.
What are the signs the blower fan motor needs to be replaced?
The air conditioning unit is a complicated system. When one thing doesn’t work, it may be caused by one of several factors, like excessive dust clogging the filters, a refrigerant leak, or a hard-starting AC compressor, all of which needs immediate attention, replacement, or repair.
What are the signs to watch out for to know your blower fan motor is ready for a replacement?
Weak or no airflow
Remember, it’s the blower motor that moves air throughout the system, so when age and normal wear and tear affect the blower motor, you will definitely notice weak airflow from the vents or no airflow at all. This is a telling sign that you’re due for an AC and furnace blower motor replacement.
Until the repair service is taken care of, turn off your AC at home to avoid damaging other AC parts. Weak or no airflow can cause the evaporator coil to freeze and add pressure to the AC compressor, which will both add to the repair costs or replacement costs.
Strange sounds from the motor
Your air conditioner unit at home most probably makes some kind of noise. Low-level noises are to be expected and are not a cause of worry. However, when you start hearing strange loud noises, your blower motor may be the problem. If you hear screeching noises, those are indicative of bearing issues while rattling sounds may be due to a loose or broken part.
Call a professional technician who can diagnose the problem correctly and solve the issue before it spins off to problems that affect other AC parts.
High energy bills
It’s a fact that households in Phoenix, like the rest in Arizona, spend more energy on the air conditioning when compared to other US cities. That’s not surprising at all given the heat of the desert region, but what can be surprising is a spike in energy consumption in these homes.
A sudden increase in energy usage leads to higher energy bills. Again, this may be due to many factors, such as a frozen evaporator coil, a thermostat or a circuit board that has gone bad, a hard-starting compressor, and several other scenarios that resulted from bad AC parts. The blower motor may also be the issue.
An aged or worn blower motor has to use more effort or more energy to turn the fan and blow air throughout the AC system. You can’t solve this issue on your own. A professional technician must inspect your AC, find the source of the problem, and repair it. If the blower motor is the culprit, then it has to be replaced.
Is the blower motor covered under warranty?
If your blower motor is still under warranty, that’s good news. A warranty offsets the cost to replace or repair an AC or a specific part, but as you know, a warranty does not last forever or cover everything on the AC.
Blower motors usually have a 5 to 10 years parts warranty from the factory, but it varies from one brand to another. For instance, Carrier, American Standard, and Lennox offer a 10-year limited parts warranty that covers the compressor, evaporator coil, blower motor, among others.
A warranty, like that offered by Carrier and other leading brands, may reduce the motor replacement cost to the cost of labor alone. It’s definitely good to have a warranty especially for costly replacements like circuit board replacement, compressor replacement, or blower motor replacement.
If unlike Carrier and other leading brands, your brand does not cover your blower motor or you’re out of warranty, you still have to go ahead with the replacement.
With or without a warranty to mitigate replacement or repair cost, you still need to call an HVAC contractor.
How to take care of your blower fan motor
Blower motors usually last a long time, but as one of the hardest working components of the AC, it wears down quickly too. Regular cleaning and routine maintenance help keep the blower motor in peak condition. As well as lubricating the belt and bearings to minimize friction. Regularly changing air filters alone is a huge help to ensure dust does not accumulate in the blower wheel.
Finally, do not skip professional maintenance services at least twice a year. It can prevent problems from happening and help save you from expensive replacement or repair costs.
In Phoenix, you can call our number and request AC repairs, replacements, and maintenance services or ask for estimates of replacement or repair cost.
How to find the right AC contractor for a blower motor replacement in Phoenix
Whether you’re in Phoenix AZ or not, your AC, furnace, or heat pump will encounter different kinds of issues over its lifespan that require AC repairs and replacements. Therefore, when searching for the right HVAC contractor, look for one you can turn to every time you need AC repair, replacement, or maintenance services. You don’t want a one-off. Instead, you want a reputable professional contractor that you can work with for as long as you have an AC unit.
Price
AC repair costs, replacement costs, and AC parts can be costly, not just in Phoenix but anywhere in the US. While it’s good to seek affordable options, always keep in mind that you get what you pay for. A reputable company may cost more than your friendly neighborhood repairman, but in exchange, you get professional recommendations from highly trained technicians and after-sales services.
Reputation
Save yourself from future headaches and go with a trusted contractor. A contractor’s reputation tells you everything you need to know about how he or she does business.
Contact Us
For AC repair, replacement, and maintenance services, contact us and one of our professional technicians will assist you. In Phoenix and nearby cities, we’ve built a solid reputation based on excellent service, outstanding customer experience, fair and honest prices. More importantly, we’ve built lasting relationships with homeowners and businesses who trust us with their AC services. It couldn’t get better than that.