How often should a blower wheel be cleaned?

Most blower wheels need to be pulled and cleaned every 3-5 years, depending on usage and the home. A dirty blower wheel can negatively affect the airflow in your HVAC unit, causing your heat exchanger to overheat and AC coils to freeze. It will also reduce the efficiency of your blower motor and your entire system.

What happens if a blower wheel is dirty?

If the blower wheel get dirt or grease built up, it can slow down the wheels rotation and reduce the amount of air your blower motor is capable of moving through your home. Any dirt on those blades will cause your blower motor to work harder. This draws more amperage and pushes less air.

Is furnace blower cleaning necessary?

Three parts of the air-moving system should be kept clean:the filter, the blower, and the blower motor. Dirt is the biggest enemy of your furnace. It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of your furnace, so cleaning is the most important part of regular maintenance.

How often should furnace blower be cleaned?

A professional should clean the blower assembly on your furnace at least yearly. If the furnace has a squirrel-cage fan, cleaning the blower assembly is all the more important. That's because the openings in this type of furnace tend to become clogged with dust and dirt.

How long does a blower wheel last?

What causes a blower wheel to go bad?

Blower motor breakdown can be the result of anything from old age to failed bearings, high amp draw, electrical failure in the windings, dirt accumulation, and more. “The most common cause is dirt accumulation due to lack of maintenance,” said Tom Beaulieu, president of Bay Area Services Inc.

Can you clean your furnace yourself?

Wipe exterior surfaces with a damp rag. Remove the furnace access door by lifting it up and out. Loosen screws, removing the burner cover (if you have one). Vacuum the burners and furnace base using a shop vac or household vacuum with wand/upholstery attachment.

Is duct cleaning a waste of money?

Because we believe it's a waste of money for our customers. Here is what they concluded: "Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.

What is a furnace blower wheel?

A blower wheel has blades that are specifically designed to push air through the duct system into conditioned spaces. Your heat exchanger depends on cooler air moving across it to keep it from overheating, while your air conditioner coil depends on warmer air to keep it from freezing.

What does a furnace tune up consist of?

Inspection of the heat exchanger, gas pressure and flame operation. Indoor air filter cleaning or replacement. The cleanliness of your air filter affects both the energy efficiency of your furnace and your indoor air quality. Regular cleaning or replacement is essential to keep your furnace running smoothly.

What happens when evaporator coils are dirty?

An extremely dirty evaporator coil can cause your AC to breakdown completely. This happens when condensation forms on the dirt and then freezes during the AC's operation. The buildup of frost stops the heat transfer with the air in your home, which causes the air conditioner to stop cooling air at all.

What is a blower wheel on a furnace?

A blower wheel has blades that are designed to push a given amount of air in and out of the furnace system. These blades can trap a staggering amount of dirt in the process causing the blower motor to work extra hard to spin the wheel.

How much does a blower cost for a car?

How do I know if it's the blower motor or the resistor?

Typically, if the fan will work on some speeds but not on others, the resistor is suspect. Okay, let's say there's no melting going on, but your fan doesn't work on all speeds. Typically, if the fan will work on some speeds but not on others, the resistor is suspect.

What does it mean if your furnace is squealing?

A high-pitched squeal coming from your furnace is usually the result of an issue with the blower. The blower in your furnace is powered by a motor, which has bearings that can wear out because of age or overheating. Overheating is usually caused by dirt buildup or a bad capacitor.

How do I lubricate my furnace blower bearings?

Apply two or three drops of 10-weight nondetergent motor oil (not all-purpose oil) to each port. Do not overlubricate. If the blower shaft has oil ports, it, too, should be lubricated annually, following the same procedure. You'll probably have to remove an access plate to get at the ports.

What maintenance does a furnace need?

Some of the specific tasks involved in our furnace maintenance checklist include: Inspecting the vent system and air intake grilles, removing any blockages. Checking the heat exchanger for signs of damage or corrosion. Examining and cleaning the blower, removing any debris.

Can I use compressed air to clean my furnace?

You will need a vacuum, some compressed air, and a soft-bristle brush for this next part. Be gentle when you are cleaning the inside of your furnace, especially around the circuit board.

Can I clean my air ducts myself?

When it comes to the nitty gritty, cleaning air ducts is not a do-it-yourself job. It requires tools, such as a high-powered vacuum and rotary brushes, that you don't have lying around in the garage. In addition, an improper cleaning job could damage the ducts, resulting in expensive repairs.

Does cleaning air ducts make a mess?

Will Air Duct Cleaning Make A Mess Of My Home? No, it won't. If you hire a professional company to clean your air ducts, such as Dustless Duct, your home will be clean and tidy when they're done.

How much does it cost to replace a furnace blower motor?

On average nationwide, a furnace blower motor replacement costs $400 to $600, including parts and labor. A single-speed blower motor costs around $450 to replace while a variable-speed motor costs $600 or more. You'll also need to budget labor, about $75 to $125 per hour.

Why does my furnace sound like a jet engine?

Furnace Sounds Like a Jet Engine If your furnace sounds like an airplane or jet engine taking off, it's usually a gas issue. Gas could be leaking from a line or valve. Or, if you hear a click before the swooshing sound, you may have a broken heat exchanger that is leaking gas.

Do I really need a furnace tune-up?

Yes! If your furnace is under a manufacturer's warranty, it's important to schedule your furnace tune-up. Most furnace manufacturers recommend annual maintenance by a qualified HVAC technician, and won't cover damage caused by improper maintenance.

How often should a furnace be tuned?

A gas furnace should be serviced at least once a year, preferably, though, in both the spring and the fall. But, after nearly 30 years in the business, I don't stop there. After checking all of the key parts, I do a furnace tune-up, which is basically a complete safety check of the whole system.

Can I clean my evaporator coil myself?

Mix a simple detergent and warm water in a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Spray the solution onto the evaporator coils and give it a few minutes to soak in and loosen the dirt and debris. Wipe away any loosened material with a soft brush or cloth and reapply as needed. 5.

How much does it cost to have evaporator coils cleaned?

Evaporator coil cleaning costs $100 to $400 to clean the coil in-place or $400 to $700 to remove and clean the coil. Condenser coil cleaning costs $75 to $230. Dirty evaporator and condenser coils reduce the AC system's efficiency by up to 30%.

How well does a clean blower wheel work?

This blows the air through the furnace, evaporator coil and finally the ductwork into your home for both heating and cooling. Have you ever considered just how well a clean blower wheel performs for you verses a dirty one? “1/8th of an inch of dirt and dust build-upon the blower wheel can reduce airflow by up to 30%” -Texas A&M Study

Who is responsible for cleaning the furnace blower wheel?

Every homeowner is responsible for cleaning, maintaining, or replacing any parts in their furnace that are required for proper operation. The furnace blower wheel is one of those components that needs to be cleaned to ensure the furnace stays in tip-top condition.

Why do I need to clean my blower motor?

Without torque to turn the blower wheel or fan belt, it won’t start. Routine blower motor cleaning and maintenance not only extends the life of equipment but reduces operating costs, downtime costs and troubleshooting costs. It helps mitigate the majority of these expenses because the issues are caught ahead of time.

How often should the energy recovery wheel be cleaned?

Applications such as these may require cleaning every three to six months. In all applications, loss of indoor moisture control during the cooling season could indicate the need to clean the energy recovery wheel. Cleaning the energy wheel to regain latent effectiveness and full airflow is a relatively simple process.