How A Blower Motor Works
Thermostats work with the home heating and cooling systems to monitor the temperature. When the temperature drops below the thermostat setting, it signals the furnace to get to work. The furnace creates hot (or cold) air, which then needs to circulate around the various rooms of your home. This is when the blower motor engages.
A blower motor takes the heated or cooled air created within the furnace and circulates it throughout the home in order to ensure the temperature reaches what’s called for on the thermostat. It does this by spinning a fan, which blows the air through the ventilation system of your home. Even a small blower motor can move a large volume of air.
Single-speed motors operate at one speed, and full energy capacity when in use. The thermostat tells your blower motor when to turn on and off. Occasionally, single-speed motors result in cold spots because they only run when signaled by the thermostat. Conversely, variable-speed motors blow air higher and lower speeds, when desired. Therefore, this motor helps create a more evenly distributed temperature throughout your home. Plus, variable-speed motors are typically more energy efficient than a single-speed motor, which helps save on your monthly energy bills.
Choosing A Blower Motor
When choosing a replacement blower motor for your furnace, it’s best to get an exact replacement unit. You can do this by finding the serial number on your blower motor and checking with the manufacturer to see if they have one available. If a replacement is not available, you can usually find a universal model that is compatible with your furnace. You will need to account for: type of drive, motor diameter, voltage, horsepower, speeds, rotation direction, size of the run capacitor (if required), and mounting method when shopping for a replacement blower motor.
A qualified HVAC professional remains the best person to help you install the correct blower motor for your home.