Your air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home during the hot summer months. There are many vital components of your air conditioner. One of the most important, however, is the fan. The fan is what helps to circulate cold air throughout your home, keeping it cool. It’s also effortless to find. The fan is located in the outdoor condenser unit. You can see it when you look down over the top of it. The fan motor is what turns the fan. If the motor is going bad, it can affect your air conditioner’s ability to circulate cool air and you main need a certified air conditioning repair technician to look at it.. You might not always be able to tell if the motor is failing, though, at least not right away. Here’s how you can tell if your air conditioner fan motor is going bad.
Your Fan Blades are Acting Odd
When your air conditioner is on, the fan blade should be spinning. When it’s off, the fan blades should be still. If there’s something wrong with the fan motor, it could cause the blades to start acting strangely. The blades might not start up when the air conditioner does, or they might not stop spinning once the air conditioner shuts off.
The Fan Blades are Rotating Slowly
Perhaps your fan blades are spinning, but they’re turning much more slowly than usual. This can indicate a problem with the fan motor and can let you know that it’s going out.
You Notice Strange Noises Coming from the Condenser
While the condenser might make some noise when it’s on, it shouldn’t be making a lot of noise. Sounds like banging, clanging, and rattling are all generally sounds that can indicate a problem with your air conditioner’s fan motor. A loud humming or buzzing sounds can also point to a problem.
There’s Little to No Cold Air
The motor turns the fan so that it can blow cold air. If you’re not getting any cold air, your fan might not be working as it should. If the fan isn’t working correctly, it may be because of an issue with your fan motor.
Your Air Conditioner is Cutting Out Periodically
Your air conditioner might be working, but perhaps it’s cutting out periodically at strange intervals. If this is happening, it could be because the motor is overheating. An overheating motor can be caused by a few issues, including a problem with the relay or a technical issue with your air conditioner.
Checking to See if Your Fan Motor is Going Bad
So, how can you tell if it’s genuinely the fan motor that’s going bad on your air conditioner? There are a few steps to take. First, check your breaker box. Sometimes, a power surge can trip a breaker, which would cause the power to the air conditioner to be shut off. Check the thermostat as well to make sure that it’s on. Make sure your air filter is clean. Go outside and take a look at the condenser itself. Please make sure the fan blades are spinning and that nothing is blocking them. You’ll also want to have the capacitor tested. The capacitor is what helps the motor to run. If this is what’s wrong, there won’t be enough power, which will prevent the fan motor from operating correctly.
Final Thoughts
A bad fan motor prevents your air conditioner from functioning properly, which is a big problem during the summertime. If your fan motor is going bad, it can drastically shorten the lifespan of your condenser, meaning you might have to replace the whole thing. A fan motor is much more affordable than a condenser unit. If you suspect that your air conditioner’s fan motor is beginning to fail, it’s crucial that you schedule an appointment with an HVAC company right away. If you are located in the Inland Empire Area, please give us a call so we can schedule a technician to have a look.
