Blower Motor Failure: Repair Or Replace?

When the blower motor fails on your furnace, you have an important decision to make. Should you repair the motor or simply replace the furnace?

Cause of Blower Failure

When determining whether to fix the blower or replace the entire furnace, consider the cause of the failure. Failures due to maintenance problems, such as poor lubrication or dirt in the system, can have repercussions throughout the furnace. Your tech must do a full inspection to make sure there are no other maintenance issues, such as poorly maintained and cracked burners, that make the furnace unsafe to continue using.

For blowers that have been well-maintained but have suffered an electrical short or other routine problem, replacement or repair of just the blower can be a good option. This is because a well-maintained furnace is less likely to have developed major problems throughout its mechanics.

Furnace Age and History

Age should also impact your decision. Any furnace should last at least a decade, and well-maintained appliances will likely work well at least twice that length of time. If your furnace falls within this age window and there are no other looming issues, then repair or even replacement of the blower motor is probably a good investment.

On the other hand, if the furnace is reaching the end of its useful life or if it is over 10 years old and hasn't been properly maintained, it may make more financial sense to replace the entire furnace. This is especially true if there has been an increase in the number of repairs necessary in the last year or two. It's not a good investment to replace the blower motor only to have the whole furnace require replacement in a year or two.

Other Possible Issues

The final thing to consider is if there have been other issues with the furnace beyond breakdowns. For example, if your furnace is older and inefficient, it may be costing you a lot to properly heat your home. Upgrading to a new furnace may save money in the long run since newer furnaces are much more efficient compared to old models.

Another concern may be how well the furnace functions. If your older furnace is too small for your home, you may have issues with uneven heating or cold rooms. A new, properly sized furnace can solve this problem.

Contact a furnace replacement service if you decide it is time to replace your old appliance.


Share