Where Is the Blower Motor in a Furnace?

Wondering about the position of a blower motor in furnaces? Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling can help. Call today for heating services in Boiling Springs.

Your furnace has many parts that work together to provide your desired warmth during the winter. The blower motor is a crucial component that can stop the heating system from working if it malfunctions or wears down. As such, you might wonder, "Where is the blower motor in a furnace?"

Locating the blower motor on a furnace can be tricky, but we can help. As Boiling Springs' expert heating and air service, Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling has years of experience servicing, repairing, and installing different heating system makes and models in South Carolina. Consider our guide below to learn more about blower motors and their location inside your furnace.

Furnace Blower: What Is It and What Does it Do?

Before discovering your furnace blower motor location, it helps to understand what the component is and how it works. The blower motor is part of the blower assembly. When the thermostat and furnace control board trigger the furnace to turn on, the motor turns on its fan blades.

The fan pushes air over the burners inside the combustion chamber. As the air and combustion gases heat up, the gases will travel through the heat exchanger and exit through the flue vent. The blower also blows the heated air over the heat exchanger through the property's ductwork to warm each room. 

Identifying Blower Motor in Heating System

Where is the blower motor in a furnace? You can find the blower by disconnecting the furnace's power via its power switch or circuit breaker in your electrical panel. When the power is off, look for the furnace's access panel on its side. 

The blower motor is inside the blower assembly enclosure. For gas furnaces, the blower assembly is at the bottom of the heating unit in a box by the air filter. The motor itself is cylindrical with wires on it. 

Reasons To Know Your Furnace Blower Motor Placement

Knowing the position of blower motors in furnaces is important since it affects the system's performance. Maintenance for this component is minimal except for an occasional dusting to prevent debris buildup. However, an HVAC technician may access the blower motor for several reasons:

• Identifying the cause of a grinding or whining noise from the furnace
• Investigating sudden system failure
• Assessing airflow

Signs of a Faulty Furnace Blower

A furnace blower system consists of the motor, fan blades, and electrical wiring. One or more of these components could develop problems at any time, resulting in a noticeable decline in heating system performance. 

Contact a professional for blower repairs or replacements if you experience these warning signs. 

Reduced Airflow

The blower pushes warm air from the furnace through the system's ductwork to heat the house. If little to no air is flowing from the vents, something is restricting the system's airflow. 

Clogged furnace filters can restrict airflow. The blower draws air through the filter before circulating warm air through the ducts and vents. If the filter is dirty enough to restrict airflow, the blower motor could overwork itself to get the air it needs to effectively heat the property. 

Fan Blade Damage

You might not expect anything to damage the blower fan blades, but it's possible. Debris entering the ductwork or blower assembly could dent or scratch the fan blades. This could knock one or more blades off balance, causing them to scrape against each other or other components when spinning. 

Unbalanced fan blades will cause your furnace to emit a thumping or smacking sound. The damaged components may also produce excess heat from friction, which could lead to premature wear. The blower motor could wear itself out from the stress unless you replace the fan blades. 

Electrical Problems

The blower motor has electrical connections and wiring. Frayed wiring and loose connections could prevent the motor from operating correctly. A bad capacitor, which helps the motor turn over using the extra electricity it stores, could also prevent electricity from reaching the motor. 

Turn to Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling for Blower Fan Repair or Replacement

Where is the blower motor in a furnace? With Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling, you can be confident that our experienced HVAC technicians can quickly find a blower motor position in heating appliances and remedy any issue it has. As the top HVAC company serving Boiling Springs, South Carolina, we offer professional heating maintenance, repair, and replacement services with guaranteed satisfaction.

Book your appointment with our Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling team today at (864) 531-7732.