A Guide to Troubleshooting Home Air Blower Issues

How to Troubleshoot Your Air Blower

28 July 2017

Your home's comfort depends on an air blower that functions as it should. If you are presently faced with air blower problems, this troubleshooting guide may help you to diagnose the problem. How you go about troubleshooting depends on the symptoms your air blower is exhibiting. Here is a look at some of the more common problems that you may have:

Your Air Blower Is Not Starting Up

In other words, flipping the switch does not do anything. This is a common problem in homes that have old units. In most cases, it will be easy to solve. Try the following:

Step 1: Check the Thermostat - Make sure that the thermostat is set to the right temperature and is in the right mode. If you want the air conditioner on, make sure that it is set to "Cool" and not "Heat," and vice versa.
Step 2: Check the Breakers - Your home's HVAC system should have two breakers to control power to the motors and condenser. Check to see if either of these has tripped.
Step 3: Check the Access Panel - If the metal panel that surrounds the blower is open, it will not start. Make sure that the access panel is on and seated correctly.

Your Air Blower Runs But Produces Very Little Cooled or Heated Air

Step 1: Check the Registers - Make sure that your air registers are open.
Step 2: Check Your Air Filters - Reduced air flow is often associated with dirty air filters. Check your filters and replace if necessary.

Your Air Blower is Noisy

Step 1: Listen - The type of noise that your air blower is making will tell you a lot about the nature of the problem. Some noises are symptoms of serious problems, while other issues that cause noises may be relatively minor. Humming or grinding can indicate that the motor is in need of lubrication. Dirty coils can also cause humming in some cases. Rattling may be caused by insulation or debris that has been pulled into the fan. Be sure to describe the type of noise to your HVAC technician.
Step 2: Turn the Unit Off - If the cause of the noise is a damaged component, the damage may be worsening (and becoming more expensive to fix) for each second that the unit runs.

There are many issues that can lead to an air blower not working properly. The pros at Romano Bros will be able to find the source of the problem and determine whether the unit needs to be repaired or replaced.