Here in Florida, we love our AC. Most Floridians would agree that every Florida home needs an AC unit. Have you ever tried to sleep with no air conditioning in the middle of August? Has mold ever taken over your home? When the AC stops working for any reason, major discomfort and mayhem will ensue.
But as much as you love your air conditioner, how much do you really know about it? Would you even know if the fan motor was not working properly?
Your air conditioner is a complex system, comprised of many important parts. One of these parts is the AC fan motor. The fan in your AC unit is responsible for circulating the cool air throughout your home. If your AC fan motor is not functioning properly, there will be a few signs that indicate this problem.
Signs of a Bad AC Fan Motor
The air conditioner fan is located in the condenser unit, outside of your home. To determine if this part is working properly, you will need to go outside and check things out.
Signs that your AC fan motor is bad include the following:
– The fan won’t start even though the AC is on
– The fan won’t stop, even when the AC is shut off
– The fan turns on, but the blades rotate slowly
– AC fan motor makes rattling sounds
How to Check if Your AC Fan Motor is Bad
If your AC fan motor is not working, here are a few explanations:
Check for Tripped Circuit Breakers
Have you been using a lot of appliances at once? This can cause a power overload. A power overload can cause the breaker to trip, resulting in a powered down AC. To fix this, locate your breaker panel and switch the one that says “air conditioner” back to the “ON” position.
Check for Obstructed Fan Blades
Okay, so your breakers are on, but the fan still isn’t turning. Now what? Turn off the breaker and try to move the fan by sticking a tool or stick through the fan vents. If they won’t rotate easily, use a screwdriver to remove the top of the unit. Sometimes debris falls into this area and hinders movement.
However, if the blades do start moving, the issue may be the capacitor.
Test the Capacitor
For this step, you are going to need a capacitor tester. You can pick one up from any hardware store. Once you have your capacitor tester and are ready to begin testing, you will need to turn off the power source to your air conditioner.
For more troubleshooting assistance, call us at (321) 269-4565 or schedule service here.
AC Fan Motor Replacement | Colman Heating & Air in Brevard County
If you need us to inspect your AC fan motor or replace it, we’re here to help. Contact us today to have us pinpoint the right solution for your home. Call us at (321) 269-4565.
