Managing Your HVAC System

Missed Something? How To Identify Air Conditioner Fan Problems You Might Have Missed Last Summer

If your air conditioner hasn't been on your mind since you turned it off for the winter, you might have missed something. It's always a good idea to have your air conditioner undergo one final service inspection before you shut it down for the winter. This is especially true where the fan motor is concerned. Most people don't pay much attention to the fan motor, especially since it's located outside. To make sure you didn't miss something this year, pay close attention to your fan motor when you power up your air conditioner again next year. Here are four signs you'll want to watch for. If you notice any of the issues described here, call for repairs immediately. Your fan motor might be about ready to break down. 

The Fan Blades Have Stopped Moving

If you want to make sure that the fan motor on your air conditioner is working properly, the first thing you need to do is turn on the system. With the air conditioner running, watch the fan blades. If you can hear the motor running, but you can't see the fan blades moving, turn the air conditioner off and call your repair technician. If you continue to run your air conditioner without the fan, your system may overheat. 

The Fan Blades Are Moving at a Slower Pace

If you've determined that the fan blades are moving, watch the movement for a few minutes. The blades should be moving at a nice even speed. If the blades are moving slowly, or they're moving at a fluctuating speed, your fan motor may need to be repaired. The slow or fluctuating speeds could be a sign that your motor doesn't have enough power to keep the blades moving at the optimum speed. 

The Fan Blades Wobble During Operation

If your air conditioner fan blades are moving, but they appear to be wobbling on the base, turn your air conditioner off as soon as possible. Wobbling fan blades could be an indication that your fan has come loose from the motor. If that's happened, you'll need to have the issue repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise, the fan blade could come off the fan motor altogether. 

The Fan Blades Scrape When They Move

Finally, if there's a distinct scraping or grinding noise coming from the fan blades when the motor is running, you need to call for repairs right away. There's a good chance that the fan motor is off-balance, which is causing the blades to scrape up against the inside of the fan housing. 

Don't get caught by surprise next summer. As soon as you power up your air conditioner next year, give your fan motor a thorough inspection. If you encounter any of the problems listed above, contact an HVAC repair technician in your area like those at Baton Rouge Air Conditioning & Heating.


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