An air conditioner’s fan motor blows air in and out of a room, helping cool the area. At the same time, they keep your air conditioning system from working too hard by redirecting the airflow around and inside the unit. The motors will need the help of fans to carry out these functions.
The Air Conditioner Fan Motor
There are two types of HVAC motor fans: the condenser fan motor and the blower fan motor. They are vital in circulating the air around your AC unit and are further discussed below.
Condenser Fan Motor
They are found outside the unit, right next to the condenser. Its primary function is to remove warm air from your air conditioner to prevent the unit from overheating. Air conditioners produce both warm and cool air. Too much warm air overloads the HVAC system and reduces your air conditioner’s cooling efficiency.
Blower Fan Motor
The blower fan motor is located inside your AC and works on delivering cool air to the room. Specifically, the fan blades direct the cool air from the unit to the target area. As this happens, the temperature in the room eventually becomes significantly lower than that set by the thermostat. In central AC systems, the blower fan motor normally directs airflow through the ductwork before it delivers cool air to different areas.
Importance of AC Fan Motors
Fan motors play a role in your air conditioner’s overall performance, and you should take it seriously. Here’s why:
Warm Air Redirection
The condenser’s fan motor helps cool any room by removing warm air and bringing it outside. If this mechanism is not in place, the heat from an air conditioner can increase the temperature of a room. It also makes the air conditioner work harder to maintain the desired temperature.
Cool Air Circulation
Without a blower fan motor, an air conditioner unit can’t cool a room effectively. Not only does it help remove warm air from the system, but it also provides cold air indoors for your cooling comfort. Depending on your current requirements, you can also adjust the fan’s speed to control room airflow.
No Overheating or Freezing
Condenser fan motors are used to move air out of your air conditioner. This helps reduce heat from the AC compressor, preventing the unit from overheating and keeping its various components in good condition. Additionally, condenser fan motors prevent potential problems with the circuit breaker since the AC system does not get too hot. Otherwise, this could result in an electrical trip.
For its part, the blower fan motor moves cold air out of your air conditioning unit, effectively keeping it from freezing. Air conditioners normally draw humid air from a room and cool it, turning it into liquid. However, since airflow is restricted in the area, the condensed liquid cannot flow out and could eventually freeze. The blower fan motor prevents this from happening by transforming the condensed liquid into cool air before bringing it out of your air conditioner and into the room.
Signs of a Broken AC Fan Motor
Over time, either or both of your air conditioner’s fan motors could suffer from damage. According to an expert provider of HVAC service in San Jose, CA, here are the common signs of a broken AC fan motor:
Strange Noise
If your AC fan motor is having problems, a rattling sound is not a good sign. The fan blades normally turn quietly wherever your air conditioner is running. However, debris or dirt that has accumulated between the blades may cause them to rattle or whir as they turn.
Minimal Airflow
If the fan motor fails, it will stop blowing cold air into your room and cause the unit to start making a loud, helicopter-like sound and may feel warm to the touch. If there is minimal to zero airflow, the circulation inside the unit is restricted. This can cause the heat in your air conditioner to build up because the air cannot escape.
Overheating Air Conditioner
Overheating indicates a problem with the condenser fan motors because they cannot push exhaust out of the system. A good solution is to turn off your unit completely by unplugging it, then contact a professional to check it out.
Key Takeaway
Because they often work hard to provide you with the needed cool air, fan motors are one of the most frequently-replaced components in an air conditioner system. Replacing them can be costly, although this will still depend on the type of air conditioner that you have, brand, and model.
In any case, it’s a good idea to know how fan motors work. This can be helpful when the time comes that you have to replace them. Searching for the exact replacement part becomes easier since you have the needed information.
