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A furnace blower forces air into the heat exchanger and kick-starts the warm-air distribution process. Therefore, if there is a problem with this part of your heating system, your furnace will have problems heating your house. Luckily, blower problems are easy to fix. Here are tips that will help you do so.
Fixing a belt problem
There is a belt that connects the motor pulley to the blower pulley. If this belt is worn out, the motor will have difficulties turning the blower pulley. As a result, the blower will not move air, in spite of your system's motor functioning perfectly.
To solve this problem, you will have to replace the belt. You will need the same exact model of the belt to do this, which means that you will have to gain access to the furnace cabinet, which houses both the motor and the pulley, in order to get the belt number.
Start by switching off any power supply to your heating system. Cut off the gas supply and then unfasten the screws holding the furnace cabinet door in place. You should be able to see the belt connecting the motor and blower pulleys. Get the belt number, it's stamped on the belt, and then use it to order a new one from your local HVAC supply store.
Armed with the new belt, start by slipping out the old one. Flawlessly install the new one by slipping it on the motor pulley first and then placing it halfway on the other pulley. Hold the belt in place with one hand while using the other one to slowly rotate the blower pulley. This will be enough to slip the belt into place.
Fixing a motor problem
If there is no problem with the blower belt and yet the blower is still having problems blowing air, your system's motor might be to blame.
One of the most common motor problems that most systems have usually involves inadequate lubrication. This is so especially in furnaces whose blower motors use sealed bearings. Inadequate lubrication usually leads to more-than-desired friction within the motor. This leads to loss of energy, something that usually reduces the ability of the motor to run the blower. This is a problem that can be fixed by simply oiling the motor's bearings.
Fixing a switch problem
Furnaces are usually fitted with safety switches that help to prevent furnace disasters like explosions. A furnace limit switch is one of these switches. It usually helps to regulate the temperature in the plenum and thus indirectly determines when the blower runs. A faulty switch can therefore cause the blower to run nonstop or can completely shut down the system. Replacing the faulty switch is usually enough to get your blower functioning properly.
For more information, contact a local company that offers heater repair.