How much should it cost to replace a furnace blower motor
Andrew Campbell
Published Apr 09, 2026
On average nationwide, a furnace blower motor replacement costs $400-$600, including parts and labor. A single-speed blower motor costs around $450 to replace while a variable-speed motor costs $600+.
How do I know if my furnace blower motor is bad?
- Poor or Airflow from Air Vents. This will be the first and most obvious sign your blower motor has a problem. …
- No Airflow At All From Vents. …
- Skyrocketing Energy Bills. …
- Strange Noises When You Turn on the Heat. …
- Overheating Blower / Weird Smells.
Are furnace blower motors expensive?
The typical cost of a furnace blower motor is $450, but the final price depends on labor fees, as well as the cost of the parts. Some higher-end models feature large or hard-to-reach motors, which could bring your HVAC blower replacement cost to as much as $2,000.
How long does it take to replace a blower motor on a furnace?
DIY or Pro Installation: It’s going to take a furnace repair technician between 45 minutes and 90 minutes to replace the motor, clean the fan, adjust the motor, test it and put the furnace back together. The biggest factor is how easy it is to get the assembly out.What happens when your blower motor goes out on your furnace?
If you hear a clicking sound when the furnace attempts to start, but the fan motor does not blow air or turn on, it may indicate a bad capacitor. … A faulty capacitor might cause the furnace to become too hot internally, tripping a safety switch. If that happens, expect the furnace to shut down temporarily.
How often do blower motors go out?
Even though the manufacturer states their blower motor will last two decades, we advise all clients to expect a 10-20-year life span due to age, use, and proactive maintenance.
What happens when blower motor goes bad?
Overheating is One of the Symptoms of a Bad Blower Motor in HVAC. If the HVAC system starts to overheat, you will smell something burning. Some systems will shut down right away when this happens.
Can you upgrade a furnace blower?
When upgrading your furnace, consider adding a variable speed furnace blower motor. It can improve the efficiency of your heating system while making your home more comfortable. Single-speed blower motors function at full power or not at all, switching off and on to regulate your indoor temperatures.Is it hard to replace a blower motor?
If you don’t want to sweat or shiver, then find a good mechanic. The replacement of the blower motor is common and straightforward, so most shops will perform the repair — many on the same day.
How much does a furnace fan cost to run?A standard furnace fan motor uses about 400 watts of electricity every hour. Assuming a national average of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, let’s see how much that would cost you in the long run. If you run your furnace fan twenty-four hours a day, it will cost you a little more than $1.15 every day.
Article first time published onWhat can cause a blower motor to stop working?
In most cases, a blower motor resistor fails due to corrosion or overheating. Sometimes, the mechanical resistance to the motor rotation causes an excessive electric current that can overheat and prematurely damage the blower motor resistor.
Can you repair a blower motor?
There are a number of things that can go wrong with your heating system, but if the air stops blowing altogether and the same is true on cold air settings, a blower motor replacement is likely in order. The good news is that it’s a fairly straight forward repair.
What does a bad blower motor sound like?
A defective blower motor will make a continuous sound noticeable by the passengers in the vehicle. It can manifest as a knocking, whirring, clunking, vibrating, squealing, or whining noise that persists until the blower motor is replaced.
How do you reset a furnace blower motor?
- Step 1: Turn off the power to the furnace. …
- Step 2: Remove the blower compartment cover. …
- Step 3: Make sure the blower is completely cooled off. …
- Step 4: Locate the reset button. …
- Step 5: Press the button in (assuming that this is your issue and that the button has popped).
How long does a blower motor last?
The blower motor in your home or office should last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Modern sealed bearings and sealed bushings can push the lifespan to its maximum of 20 years.
Why does my blower motor work sometimes?
When a resistor fails, the fan will often run only at higher speeds or the highest speed, no matter what fan speed is selected. … When a blower resistor fails, the highest fan speed usually is the only one that still works because it essentially bypasses the resistor and receives the maximum amount of voltage.
Can a bad blower motor cause no heat?
Problems with Your Blower Motor or Blower Motor Resistor Your blower motor is the component that pushes air through your car’s heating or cooling system. Without it, there’s no circulation of air—hot, cold, or otherwise. … Both of these components can fail, resulting in the heating system simply not working.
How do I know if my fan motor is bad?
- The fan won’t start even though the AC is on.
- The fan won’t stop, even when you shut the AC off.
- The fan turns on, yet the blades are rotating very slowly.
- There’s a rattling noise coming from the condenser unit when the fan is turned on.
Where is blower motor located on furnace?
One of the hardest-working parts of your home’s furnace is the blower motor. In a gas forced air furnace, it’s located in a box at the base of the furnace next to the air filter, where it draws return air through the filter.
How much does it cost to replace a blower motor on an AC unit?
When your air conditioner’s fan motor breaks, it will typically cost about $300 to $600 to replace. It’s imperative to get this fixed quickly, since without a working fan motor your air conditioner’s compressor can be the next domino to tumble. Its repair is even more significant — usually running closer to $2,000.
How much does it cost to replace a blower motor resistor?
The average cost to replace the blower motor resistor at a repair shop is between $44 and $55 in parts and $70 in labor costs, for a total cost of around $114 to $125.
Can you put a bigger blower motor in a furnace?
Yes, you can change your blower motor’s speed to try and improve your airflow if your blower motor is not already at the highest speed. On most blower motors the black wire is the high-speed wire.
Is a variable speed blower worth it?
A high-efficiency variable speed furnace can reduce your utility bills. … Higher rated furnaces save you money because they use less power while heating your house to the same temperature. Additionally, variable speed furnaces are more efficient than traditional models.
How can I make my blower motor faster?
You can increase or decrease the blower speed by slightly adjusting the pulley on the blower drive motor. To increase blower speed, slightly loosen the setscrew that holds the pulley to the driveshaft. Move or turn the pulley clockwise on the shaft one turn, then tighten setscrew.
Is it OK to leave furnace fan on all the time?
Running your furnace fan all the time isn’t exactly a bad thing. In fact, there’s no need to worry about the fan wearing out or breaking down because it’s designed to run continuously, and there’s an array of benefits connected to this. Here are some of them: Better circulation of heated and cooled air.
Is it cheaper to run furnace fan or AC?
Running a fan throughout the day is inexpensive—much lower than the cost of running an AC unit alone—and using both in conjunction with each other means that you won’t have to keep your air conditioning running all day.
Is it better to leave furnace fan on or auto?
Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months. When your fan is set to AUTO, moisture from cold cooling coils can drip and be drained outside.
How do I know if my blower motor fuse is bad?
If you have a faulty blower motor, you may experience low airflow from the vents, even when the fan is on high. There will be no air coming from the vents if your fan isn’t working due to a bad blower motor resistor. Blown relay circuit fuses or melted relays are more serious signs of a bad blower motor relay.
Why does my blower motor fuse keep blowing?
Blown fuses If the blower motor relay develops any sort of problem that hinders its ability to properly limit and distribute power, it may cause the blower motor fuse to blow. Any sort of electrical spikes or excessive current from a bad relay will blow the fuse and cut power in order to protect the system.
Why does my blower fan only work on high?
Most car manufacturers use a series of resistors to make the heater blower motor run at different speeds. And when one or more of these resistors burn out, you’re usually left with only one heater blower motor speed—high. The resistor module is easy and inexpensive to replace.
Why is my blower motor so loud?
The blower motor needs routine lubrication, and often a specific kind of lubrication to upkeep performance and function over time. Otherwise, the fan might seize up and cause a loud noise (and an even louder repair bill). If you are knowledgeable of the process, you can add lubrication to the motor.